Introduction
Infectious diseases are a leading cause of death all over the world. In the past, infectious diseases killed millions and had a tremendous social influence. Vaccines and medicines are commonly available in today's world. However, many infectious diseases spread from person to person or from animal to human and can cause significant sickness or death if left untreated.
This article aims to contrast the past and present in terms of how we treat infectious diseases and how they affect society today versus how they affected society centuries ago when no vaccines or medicines were available for treatment.
Infectious Diseases - Historical Perspective
Infectious diseases have a long history and are caused by Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They can spread from person to person or from animals to humans. Some infectious diseases have been around for millennia, while others are relatively new.
The Black Death (bubonic plague) was one of history's most catastrophic pandemics. It killed an estimated 75 million people across Europe between 1346 and 1353 CE. This was roughly half of Europe's population at the time! The Black Death was caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria, which is spread through bite of infected fleas. Apart from the deaths caused by the bacteria, many people died because of famine and other secondary effects of the Pandemic.
Infectious Diseases - Present
Infectious diseases are currently in a state of flux. On the one hand, we have made enormous advances in treating and diagnosing infectious diseases; on the other hand, many of these diseases still continue to pose a substantial threat to the society.
Improved Diagnosis & Treatment: The development of vaccines, antibiotics, and other treatments has helped to control many infectious diseases, and we are now better equipped than ever to prevent and treat these diseases. Advanced diagnostic techniques & equipment with improved screening tests has enabled physicians to detect infections faster. For example, advances in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology enable clinicians to screen for viruses such as HIV with only a drop of blood.
Despite these breakthroughs in treatment options and diagnosis methodologies, many areas still require improvement if our society's overall health status quo is to stay stable in the long term.
The Social Impact of Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases have had a profound impact on Society. In Industrialized Countries, Public Health & Medical Technology have led to lower Mortality Rates from Infectious diseases. However, these diseases can still have a societal & economic impact, due to lost production and increased healthcare expenses. Additionally, infectious diseases can influence how people interact with one another or with their surroundings.
For example, COVID19 has had a profound impact on society, which led to widespread Social-distancing, lockdowns, and quarantines. It claimed numerous lives, thereby causing Emotional, economic & physical impacts on the families and on society too.
It is important to understand the social consequences on Infectious Diseases in order to device effective Prevention and Control strategies.
Surveillance of Infectious Diseases
The causative Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be passed from person to person via direct contact with an infected person or animals or through their body fluids (such as blood or faeces).
Infectious diseases have existed since the dawn of humanity, but our ability to detect them has evolved considerably. This is due to scientific advances that allow us to diagnose, track and treat infections before they become fatal. We live in a society where diseases can spread swiftly across borders through travel and trade.
Infectious Disease Investigation
Infectious diseases are a major cause of death worldwide. They are typically transmitted between individuals and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The field of infectious disease investigation has led to significant advancements in the treatment and prevention of these diseases.
For instance, vaccines have been developed for various bacterial illnesses like diphtheria and tetanus. These vaccines stimulate the production of antibodies in the body, which provide protection against these diseases. If someone who has been vaccinated comes into contact with the bacteria, their immune system recognizes it as foreign and combats it before any symptoms develop.
In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered antibiotics when he observed colonies of bacteria growing around mould on one of his culture dishes while he was on vacation with his family. This breakthrough has revolutionized the field of medicine by providing effective treatments against bacterial infections.
Management of Infectious Diseases
Infectious disease management refers to the strategies employed to prevent, detect, and treat infectious diseases. These strategies include:
Vaccination: Vaccination is a highly effective method for preventing infectious diseases. However, developing vaccines for rapidly evolving viruses like HIV-1 or influenza A can be challenging due to the frequent changes in their surface proteins.
Antibiotic usage (antimicrobial chemotherapy): Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections. They work by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria. However, it's important to note that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections.
Isolation of infected individuals: Isolating people who are infected with contagious diseases helps prevent the spread of illness to others. By separating those who are sick from the general population, the risk of transmission can be minimized.
While vaccination is a successful preventive measure, the development of vaccines for viruses that constantly mutate their surface proteins presents unique challenges. However, ongoing research and advancements in technology aim to address these difficulties and improve our ability to combat such fast-evolving viruses.
Infectious Disease - Future
Infectious diseases still pose a significant challenge, but their impact has diminished compared to the past. This improvement can be attributed to factors such as improved sanitation, better hygiene practices, longer life expectancy, and advancements in medical care. However, complete eradication of infectious diseases is yet to be achieved, and there is ongoing work to be done.
In recent times, genetic engineering techniques like CRISPR/Cas9 and zinc finger nucleases (ZFN) have opened up new possibilities for novel treatments of infectious diseases. These methods allow scientists to precisely edit DNA at specific locations, enabling the development of targeted therapies without unwanted effects on healthy cells. This advancement holds promise for the future of treating infections while minimizing potential side effects.
Conclusion
In summary, substantial progress has been made in the global battle against infectious diseases. Over the past century, deaths from major infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria have decreased by 90%. This progress can be attributed to increased investment in vaccine research and development, improved sanitation practices (including access to clean drinking water), better healthcare accessibility, and increased public awareness of disease transmission.
Nevertheless, there is still much work ahead. Preventable diseases like cholera or typhoid fever continue to claim lives, despite the availability of antibiotics that could easily treat them if accessible to all individuals in need. Efforts must focus on addressing these gaps and ensuring widespread access to effective treatments.