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The Epidemic Of Infectious Diseases Essay

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The World Health Organization (WHO) defines infectious diseases as “diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi that can be spread, directly or indirectly from one person to another” (World Health Organization [WHO], n.d.). Infectious diseases have been plaguing humanity since the beginning of time. One can find stories of infectious diseases outbreaks in various history and/or science textbooks, different disease-based websites, and even the Bible. These types of diseases are treatable through the use of antibiotics and other effective medications. But what’s interesting is that many of the infectious diseases are preventable. Ways to prevent infecting oneself or others can be as simple as adjusting personal hygiene habits, or getting vaccinated. Vaccinations are highly effective in preventing certain diseases. Although there’s not a 100% guarantee of eradicating the diseases altogether, vaccinations can help reduce, or sometimes eliminate, the exposure or transmission of them. One of the infectious diseases that were considered eliminated was the measles virus. It is one of the most contagious diseases in the world that has infected numerous people over time. The first published accounts of measles were written by a Persian doctor in the 9th century. In 1757, Dr. Francis Home of Scotland found that measles was caused by infectious agents in blood. By 1912, the disease had become nationally known in the U.S. An
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