8^th European Congress on Infectious Diseases (CPD Accredited)

Clinical Infectious Diseases are conditions that present with identifiable clinical signs and symptoms, unlike subclinical infections, which do not show measurable signs or symptoms.

Infectious Diseases Pathology involves the laboratory study and investigation of infectious diseases. Pathology also refers to the study of disease in general, encompassing a wide range of biological research fields and medical practices. In the context of modern medical practice, the term is often used in a narrower sense to describe the processes and tests that fall within the field of general pathology.

Divisions of pathology include:

• Anatomic pathology
• Dermatopathology
• Forensic pathology
• Laboratory medicine

Emerging infectious diseases are typically defined as:
(1) outbreaks of previously unidentified infections,
(2) known diseases that are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range over the past two decades, and
(3) persistent infectious diseases that remain difficult to control.

Animals can carry serious diseases such as rabies, tetanus, Lyme disease, Hantavirus, and plague. Bites and scratches from animals may become infected and can spread bacteria to other parts of the body. These diseases are collectively referred to as Animal Infectious Diseases. 

Pediatric Infectious Diseases specialists analyze, treat, and work to prevent infectious diseases in children. They often function like medical detectives, evaluating children with recurrent, atypical, or unexplained symptoms.

Immunology is a branch of biology and medicine that focuses on the study of immune systems in all organisms. It has applications across many areas of medicine, including oncology, organ transplantation, parasitology, virology, bacteriology, rheumatology, dermatology, and psychiatry.

Illnesses caused by bacteria obtained from contaminated food and water are called Food & Water Borne Infectious diseases. Foodborne diseases can lead to food poisoning. Examples of waterborne diseases include:

• Diarrhea
• Cholera
• Typhoid
• Amoebiasis
• Hepatitis A

Examples of foodborne diseases include:

• Norovirus
• Salmonella
• Clostridium Perfringens
• Campylobacter
• E. coli
• Listeria

Rare Infectious diseases are caused by infectious agents rather than by genetic or environmental factors. Some examples include:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Coronaviruses
• Dengue
• Diphtheria
• Ebola
• Flu (Influenza)
• Hepatitis
• Rubella
• HIV/AIDS
• Polio
• Rabies
• Zika

Bacteriology is the study of bacteria and their related aspects. It involves the study of bacterial morphology, genetics, ecology, and biochemistry. This branch also covers the classification, characterization, and identification of bacterial species.

Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationships between them. A parasite is an organism that lives on or in another organism and obtains nutrients from it. Parasites that can cause diseases in humans include helminths, protozoa, and ectoparasites.

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, slime molds, algae, fungi, and protozoa. The methods used to study these mostly unicellular organisms differ from those employed in most other biological studies.

Virology is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of viruses and viral diseases, including their transmission, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, physiology, evolution, and clinical characteris.

Coronavirus refers to a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses in humans and animals, ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) is the specific virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. It primarily affects the respiratory system and can lead to mild to severe illness, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress in some cases.

Tuberculosis, commonly abbreviated as TB, is an infectious bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause TB can spread easily from person to person when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Most people infected with these bacteria do not show symptoms. When symptoms occur, they mainly include cough, weight loss, and fever. Individuals without symptoms typically do not require treatment, while those with active symptoms require a long-course treatment regimen with multiple antibiotics.

HIV, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most commonly transmitted diseases today. They weaken a person’s immune system by destroying vital cells that combat infections. Although there is currently no definitive cure for these infections, they can be effectively managed with appropriate medical treatment.

The liver is a vital organ in the human body. It processes nutrients, filters the blood, and helps fight infections. When the liver is damaged, all of these functions can be affected. Inflammation of the liver is called hepatitis, which can be caused by heavy alcohol use, toxins, or viral infections. There are five viruses that cause different forms of viral hepatitis:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis D
• Hepatitis E

Malaria is a disease caused by the bites of infected mosquitoes and is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Symptoms generally include fever, fatigue, headache, and vomiting. In severe cases, malaria may lead to jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. Each year, approximately 290 million people are infected with malaria, and more than 400,000 people die from the disease.

A Urinary Tract Infection is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system. UTIs are most common in women and usually affect the bladder or urethra, while more serious infections can involve the kidneys. Symptoms may include pelvic pain, an increased urge to urinate, blood in the urine, and, in the case of kidney infections, back pain.

Ebola Viral Infections is caused by the Ebola virus and can result in organ failure, severe bleeding, and may be fatal. The virus can spread to other humans through contact with bodily fluids, or through contact with an infected animal or deceased person. Initial symptoms include headache, muscle pain, and fever.

Bloodstream Infections are caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi entering the bloodstream. The most common bloodstream infection is sepsis. Prompt antibiotic treatment is essential to manage these infections and prevent progression to sepsis.

Nosocomial Infections are infections that a person acquires while hospitalized for another condition. They are also referred to as healthcare-associated infections or hospital-acquired infections. Patients and healthcare workers can introduce and spread pathogens within the hospital. Common nosocomial infections include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Respiratory pneumonia
• Surgical site wound infections
• Bacteremia

Surgical Site Infections(SSIs) are infections that occur at the site of a surgical procedure. Most SSIs are superficial, involving the skin, while others can be more serious, affecting deeper tissues or underlying organs and implanted materials. The most common bacteria associated with surgical site infections include:

• Staphylococcus
• Streptococcus
• Pseudomonas

Internal medicine focuses on the identification and diagnosis of serious diseases affecting various organs of the body. These conditions are then managed by specialized physicians in the field. Doctors specializing in internal medicine are called internists. They provide care for both hospitalized and ambulatory patients.

Preventive medicine is the practice of promoting measures to maintain and improve health. Its primary goal is to prevent disease, disability, and death. The three main specialty areas are:

• Public Health and General Preventive Medicine
• Occupational Medicine
• Aerospace Medicine

Entomology is a branch of zoology concerned with the scientific study of insects. Historically, the term “insect” was less specific, and the scope of entomology also included the study of animals in other arthropod groups, such as myriapods, arachnids, and crustaceans.

Subfields of entomology include:

• Coleopterology
• Dipterology
• Hemipterology
• Isopterology
• Lepidopterology
• Melittolog 
• Myrmecology
• Orthopterology 
• Trichopterology
• Vespology

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution, patterns, and determinants of health and disease in populations. It is a cornerstone of public health and informs policy decisions and evidence-based practices by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare. 

Any other topics comes under Infectious Diseases.