Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis remains a major killer in the world, killing over 1 million yearly and infecting at least one-third of the entire world population. TB is especially prevalent in developing nations, but it also remains an active disease in the United States as well, with almost 10,000 reported infections in 2013 alone. While tuberculosis infections are on the decline, it remains a disease worth preventing.

Adenovirus

Adenoviruses, of which there are over 50, can cause a variety of illnesses ranging from mild respiratory disease, to very painful eye infections, diarrheal illnesses, rashes, and even life-threatening infections in those who are immune compromised. The number of cases of Adenovirus infection are not regularly tracked since many cases will go undiagnosed, but these infections are considered to be very common throughout the life span, although they may be more common in younger people as they would be less likely to have prior exposure and any level of immunity. Adenovirus infections cause significant lost days of work and school and are certainly an infection worth preventing.

Rotavirus

While rotavirus is often thought of as a disease of children, and it most commonly strikes children, it would be a mistake to think that adults cannot be infected with, and become quite ill from, rotavirus. Although each time a person is infected with rotavirus they build immunity, this acquired immunity is not completely protective, in part because there are multiple strains of rotavirus. Even children who have been vaccinated can get rotavirus more than one time, although subsequent infections are usually not as severe as the first infection.

CMV

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Cytomegalovirus, commonly known by its initials as CMV, is a very common viral infection that can occur in anyone of any gender, race, or socioeconomic class. It is often a disease of childhood with the majority of people being infected when they are children age 6 or under. Most people who have CMV …

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Blood-Borne Pathogens

Blood-Borne Pathogens While there are multiple pathogenic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other more exotic organisms such as prions, that could potentially be transmitted from an infected person to uninfected people through blood contact, the term Blood-Borne Pathogens is most commonly used to refer to the “Big 3,” by which is meant Hepatitis B …

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Candida

Candida Candida is a very common genus of fungi which take on the form of yeast instead of mold. There are many species of Candida, probably about 20 or so, although it is possible more are yet to be discovered and described. C. albicans is probably the one species of yeast that is most likely …

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Trichophyton

Trichophyton Trichophyton is the fancy scientific name for a group of fungi that are very familiar to most people even if they don’t recognize the clinical name. Typical encounters with Trichophyton include, but are not necessarily limited to: athlete’s foot, jock itch, nail fungus, ringworm, and similar afflictions, all of which are quite common amongst …

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Vaccinia

The vaccinia virus was once very common in the United States and then for many years it became essentially unheard of. Now, the occurrence of vaccinia infection is increasing once again, although still rare, it is now known to occur primarily in the families and intimate contacts of members of the military and other emergency …

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