The history of mankind is inextricably linked with constant epidemics and diseases, periodically eradicating part of the world's population from the face of the Earth. And, although modern medicine has already learned how to deal with some pathogens, the most tenacious part of viruses is still undefeated at the present time. So what infectious diseases still scare people from all over the world and how do they manifest themselves? Some of these diseases at one time claimed thousands of lives and from time to time continue to kill people. Moreover, infectious diseases are improving and can attack people with renewed vigor.
Bubonic plague
"Plague" doctors during the epidemic wore masks with long noses in which a tampon soaked in vinegar was placed
The terrible infection that struck most of the European population in the Middle Ages was defeated at the beginning of the 20th century with the help of anti-plague vaccines, serums and antibiotics. Be that as it may, even in the 21st century, about 2,500 people a year become infected with this disease. Manifesting in the form of abscesses in the area of the axillary and inguinal lymph nodes, as well as in the form of fever, fever and delusional states. The disease is curable in the early stages, but with the so-called septic form, the death rate from plague even today exceeds 90%. Are we not that far from the Middle Ages?
Lymph nodes are the main organs of the human lymphatic system. A clear liquid called lymph flows through, which is needed for proper metabolism and cleansing of cells and tissues.
anthrax
Anthrax in a cow
Anthrax can rightfully be considered one of the most dangerous infectious diseases, caused by the bacteria Bacillus antracis. With an incredible level of contagiousness, anthrax can remain on surfaces for decades, entering the human body through the gastrointestinal tract or by airborne droplets. The infection causes the appearance of necrotic ulcers, which, if untreated, are aggravated by the transition of the disease to the pulmonary form of the disease. Mortality with such a sad outcome reaches more than 90% of the number of cases.
Contagiousness is the ability of infectious diseases to be transmitted from infected people and animals to healthy organisms through physical contact and other factors.
Cholera
Children often fall victim to cholera
As one of the “oldest” infections, cholera is often mentioned in the books of medieval writers, whose real or fictional characters suffer from vomiting, seizures and severe dehydration, which, in fact, becomes the cause of death of the sick. Currently, the main location of the infection is the island of Haiti, where in 2010 one of the deadliest epidemics on the planet occurred. Then, according to official figures, the infection affected more than 200,000 people, of which 3,000 died. Although with timely treatment, the mortality rate from cholera is quite low, without the use of antibiotics, up to 85% of all infected people risk dying.
Rabies
Rabies is one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in the world
The Rabies virus, which causes rabies, can enter the human body through saliva when bitten by a wild animal. At first manifesting itself in the form of fever, itching and pain at the site of the bite, the disease gradually progresses and forces the patient to refuse water, be afraid of any sudden noise, experience hallucinations and bouts of violence. A few days after the acute form, the sick person risks dying from respiratory failure and paralysis. Although with a series of timely procedures, rabies can be cured, even with the first symptoms of the disease, rabies does not lend itself to any treatment and recovery in this case becomes impossible.
HIV
HIV infection has become a real epidemic of the twentieth century
Describing the most dangerous infectious diseases of the planet, we could not fail to mention HIV - the human immunodeficiency virus. Having appeared relatively recently, a dangerous infection very quickly spread throughout the world. According to estimates by the World Health Organization for 2018, there are more than 37.9 million people living with HIV on our planet. If earlier the disease was transmitted from person to person through blood or semen, then as the epidemic grew, more and more cases began to appear when people became infected during blood transfusions, during childbirth, or even during unskilled medical examinations. During the existence of HIV, more than 30 million people have already died, and for a long time modern medicine could only offer supportive therapy to the sick. Be that as it may, in one of our articles we already wrote that several people previously recognized as HIV-positive were able to successfully heal from this extremely dangerous disease. You can read more about these amazing cases in this article.
Ebola fever
Ebola is still considered almost a hoax
Ebola fever, which was heard in 2015 among the inhabitants of the entire planet, originated in West Africa and spread to almost the entire black continent. Severe fever is thought to manifest itself as persistent headache, abdominal and muscle pain, and heavy bleeding. A person could get such an unpleasant disease from animal carriers, which are considered to be monkeys, bats and rats. Due to the extremely high level of infectiousness, even one person with Ebola is a huge danger to his environment, which, according to WHO, has already led to the death of 22 630 people worldwide. Fortunately, the development of a vaccine capable of curing such a dangerous infectious disease is already underway.