Common Illnesses & Symptoms


List of Common Illnesses 🤢🤧😷🛌

Common illnesses and chronic diseases which have plagued humankind leading to epidemics and worldwide pandemics and have killed millions of people throughout history.

  • ADDucation’s list of common illnesses was compiled by Robert Junker and last updated 18 Aug 2024

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Common Illnesses 🤢 Infection, virus carrier 🦠 Incubation Symptoms, course Treatments 💉
Athlete’s foot Barefoot on damp surfaces. Variable Inflamed, itchy skin between the toes. Powders, cream and sprays.
Candidiasis Sexual intercourse. Variable Glans or vaginal irritation, white discharge. Anti-fungals
Chickenpox Droplet and contact. 11-21 days Fever, headache, rash. Compresses
Cholera Unclean food or water. 1-5 days Violent diarrhea, dehydration, can be fatal. Hydration
Conjunctivitis From hands to the eyes. Variable Itching, eye irritation / redness, pus. Antibiotics
Coronavirus COVID-19 Droplet infection via mucous membranes from coughing and/or direct contact with fomites[1]. 2-14 days Fever, dry cough, fatigue. Can be fatal to vulnerable groups, typically following respiratory failure. Covid is one of the most common illnesses right now. Various vaccines are available worldwide along with some promising treatments to assist recovery, 18 Aug 2024.
Dengue Aedes aegypti mosquito. 5-8 days Fever, headache, joint and muscle pain. Painkillers
Diphtheria Droplet infection. 4-6 days Fever, gray tongue coating, can lead to heart damage. Antibiotics
Ebola fever Urine, feces, blood, saliva. 7-14 days Fever, diarrhea, internal bleeding and frequently fatal. Experimental drugs only.
Flu Droplet infection. 1-3 days Fever, sweating, chills, headache and body aches. Annual vaccination to combat the latest variants. Flu is one of the most deadly of all common illnesses worldwide.
Gonorrhea Sexual intercourse. 2-10 days Pain and/or discharge during urination. Antibiotics
Hepatitis A Unclean food or water. 3-6 weeks Flu-like symptoms and course. Rest, loose clothing, healthy environment.
Herpes Direct contact. Variable Recurrent sores / redness. Antivirals
Impetigo
 Contact with infected person or object. 1-3 days Itchy rash, sores and pus filled blisters, possible fever. Oral antibiotics or antibiotic cream.
Leprosy Droplet infection. 3-5 years Bright spots on the skin, nerves destroyed. Antibacterial
Malaria Anopheles mosquito. 10-40 days Fever with chills, heat, fatigue, headache. Antimalarials. The first malaria vaccine RTS,S is becoming available 18 Aug 2024.
Measles Droplet infection. 7-14 days Cold symptoms, fever, red rash. Drugs
Mumps Droplet infection. 2-3 weeks Jaw pain, swelling of the parotid gland. Drugs
Plague Rat fleas. 2-5 days Fever and swollen lymph nodes, often fatal. Antibiotics
Polio Droplet infection. 3-14 days Fever, headache, neck and muscle stiffness, paralysis. Bed rest, vaccination.
Rubella Droplet infection. 17-21 days Fever and rash. Drugs
Scarlet fever Droplet infection. 2-4 days Sore throat, headache, red rash. Antibiotics
Shingles Reactivation of varicellazoster viruses. Variable Painful rash (blisters) on ribs or waist. Antiviral agents; painkillers
Skin fungus Direct contact. Variable Scales and spots on head and skin. Antifungals
Sleeping sickness Tsetse fly bite. 3 days to 4 weeks Fever, fatigue, headache, coma, death. Protozoan agents
Smallpox Droplet infection. 12 days Fever, rash, often fatal. Vaccination
Syphilis Sexual intercourse. 3-4 weeks Ulcers on the genitals, rash, fatigue. Antibiotics
Tapeworm Eating contaminated food. 5 weeks Intestinal pain, worm limbs excreted in stool. Anthelmintics
Tetanus Infection via wounds. 3 days to 3 weeks Rigid smile, trismus, muscle spasms. Antitoxin
Trichomoniasis Sex or wet towels. Variable Inflammation of the vagina, yellow discharge. Protozoan agents
Typhoid Unclean food or water. 7-14 days Headache and abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea, possibly deadly. Antibiotics
Whooping cough Droplet infection. 7-14 days Coughing with outstretched tongue, fever, vomiting. Antibiotics
Yellow fever Aedes aegypti mosquito. 3-6 days Neck, head and back pain, fever, renal failure, possibly fatal. Still unknown, possible vaccinations

See Also: Compare Global Pandemics in History… | Fun Facts about Humans…

Important! ADDucation’s list of common illnesses and diseases with symptoms and possible treatments is published for information only. Always seek professional medical advice if you, or anyone else, is experiencing any of the symptoms of the infectious diseases and illnesses in the table above. [1]Fomites include; human skin cells, hair, contaminated clothing, bedding, towels, surfaces, touchscreens, keyboards, buttons, handles, switches etc.

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