Airborne Diseases – There are many diseases that can be transmitted from other people, one of which is through air that has been polluted with various kinds of viruses and bacteria. The following are some of the infectious diseases that are transmitted through the air:
1. Rubella
This disease is also known as German measles. Experts say this disease is caused by the rubella virus and can spread very easily. This disease mostly affects children and adolescents. In 2016 in our own country, according to WHO there were at least more than 800 confirmed cases of rubella.
According to experts, the main transmission of rubella can be through droplets of saliva in the air that the sufferer expels through coughing and sneezing. What about the symptoms? This disease will cause a red rash on the skin, but not the same as measles. Fortunately, rubella is milder than measles. However, when it attacks pregnant women, it’s another story.
2. Histoplasmosis
This airborne disease is a fungal infection of the lungs caused by inhaling the spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Most of these viruses are found in soil, bird droppings, and bats. Spores of this fungus will enter the lungs when a person breathes.
Unfortunately, most people who have histoplasmosis don’t realize they have been infected. The reason is, in most cases histoplasmosis does not show symptoms. The thing to watch out for, this disease can have serious consequences in people with an immature immune system.
3. Influenza
It seems that almost everyone is familiar with this “million people” disease. Influenza viruses are very easy to pass from one person to another. Airborne diseases occur due to direct contact, such as sneezing or coughing. Influenza transmission can also be through non-contact. For example, touching objects that have been contaminated with the virus.
In many cases, a person who has this virus will experience mild symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and headaches. What is disturbing is that this airborne disease continues to mutate and cause various other serious diseases. For example, bird flu or swine flu.
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4. Tuberculosis
The way of transmission is almost the same as the flu virus. Tuberculosis (TB) bacteria can be spread in the air when an infected person coughs, spits, or sneezes. Tuberculosis itself is an infection with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria that can attack and damage the body’s tissues. In addition to attacking the lungs, TB can also spread to the bones, central nervous system, heart, lymph nodes, and other organs. Latent TB is the most common type of TB in an infected person. This latent TB is TB bacteria that are “sleeping” or not yet clinically active. This TB bacteria will be active and show symptoms after a certain period of time. It could be several weeks or years, depending on the health condition and endurance of the sufferer.