What You Need To Know About Infectious Disease
New infectious diseases are emerging and old ones are appearing in new places around the globe. What’s behind this trend? And to what extent has human behavior amplified the problem? The National Academies, advisers to the nation in science, engineering, and medicine, provide the information you need to understand this complex topic.
Infection
Microbes are all around us. Most don’t do any harm, and many are beneficial, but what about the few that cause infection? Learn the basics.
Threats
Certain aspects of disease are a particular threat to us today. What are some of the things we're most concerned about in the United States?
Challenges
National borders do little to block the path of infectious disease. Learn how our modern way of life contributes to the emergence and spread of diseases.
Prevention
What do we need to do—as individuals and as a society—to stave off the threat of emerging infectious disease?
Explore Other Topics
What do you know about infectious disease?
Which of the following diseases is NOT caused by a virus?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.
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Correct!
Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.
Infectious Disease Defined
- Host
An organism that harbors a parasite or another organism where there is a symbiotic relationship between the two organisms. In some cases, the relationship is commensal, or mutually beneficial, but in the case of a parasite and host, the host may be hurt by the parasite's presence.
