Understanding Common Infectious Diseases and the Immune System

Eradication of Diseases Worldwide

If we tried to reach all the world, including countries that are not even developed, we could eradicate diseases.

The Relationship Between Diseases and Microorganisms

Pasteur established for the first time the relationship between certain diseases and the presence of microorganisms in the patient, but the mere observation of microorganisms with the disease does not guarantee that it will cause it.

Ebola Virus: A Highly Contagious Disease

The Ebola virus is the cause of Ebola viral hemorrhagic fever, an infectious, highly contagious, and very severe condition that affects both animals and humans. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, sweat, urine, or vomit. The cause of the index case is still unknown. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, but normally it is 5 to 12 days.

Cholera: An Acute Diarrheal Illness

Cholera (also known as classic cholera) is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which manifests as an intestinal infection. Several cholera epidemics have occurred, some of them almost worldwide in scope, such as the one that originated in parts of India (Bengal area) and swept Europe and America in the early nineteenth century. In January 1991, an epidemic of cholera emerged in several countries in northern South America and spread quickly.

Malaria: A Debilitating Parasitic Disease

The term malaria comes from the medieval Italian "mala aria" (bad air). It is also called "paludismo" in Spanish, from the Latin "palus" (marsh). It is a disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium. It is the first in importance among debilitating diseases, with more than 200 million cases each year around the world. African Malaria Day is held on April 25, as it is on this continent where the disease is most common.

Athlete's Foot: A Common Fungal Infection

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection caused by dermatophyte fungi (which feed on keratin) or yeast (very rare cases with impaired immune systems). It affects the sole and the edges of the foot. Athlete's foot causes redness and constant itching. Some cases may have no symptoms, except for the characteristic foul odor of the infection.

Proteins and Neurological Damage

There are proteins that our body cannot digest. Besides, their composition is similar to ours. This produces damage to neurons in the brain, and you lose the ability to speak and memories.

The Importance of Affordable Medicines

"Are insurance to recover the investment made in the discovery and market the new drug." There is a disproportionately high disease burden, access to quality medicines at affordable prices is critical, and the poor pay for drugs directly from their pockets.

The Immune System: Our Body's Defense Mechanism

The immune system is a set of organs, tissues, and cells that are spread throughout the body, where white blood cells are the principal component. It is responsible for processing the response to protect the body from infection, and this is implemented by white blood cells.

Antibody Production and Immune Memory

When the immune system comes into contact for the first time with an antigen, an antibody is created against that antigen. These antibodies are stored for an indefinite period of time, so that when that antigen attacks again, it will react much faster. This is how our immune system has the ability to react more rapidly to a disease without wasting time waiting for our body to recognize it or create antibodies.

Acquired Immunity

Natural immunity. Organs where immune cells are created are distributed throughout the body, as in the liver or the thymus, located at the top of the sternum.

Challenges in Vaccine Development

Pharmaceutical companies only move for profit. They will not create a "miraculous" vaccine without knowing that authorities will turn a profit. Some companies try to get charities or universities to deal with it, trying to eradicate a third-world disease without making a profit in return.