Be Prepared: Know the Top Five Deadliest Diseases

In 2008, the World Health Organization reported that the rate of patients bearing the top 5 deadliest diseases is increasing. In this regard, everyone is encouraged to be prepared in case an outbreak of any of the deadliest illnesses occurred. Moreover, it is important to know the symptoms in order to prevent and cure these diseases.

1.       Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

An outbreak of this disease alarmed many political leaders in the world in 2003. In just a few weeks, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome spread from the province of Guangdong in China to other 37 countries in the world. The outbreak of SARS during this time is very alarming because the case-fatality rate of the illness is believed to be 9.6 per cent. Antibiotics are not effective in treating this disease because it is caused by a virus. Some of the symptoms of SARS are sore throat, cough, and fever. Below is a photograph of corona viruses that cause the development of this illness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sars-corona.png

2.       Ebola

Ebola is named after a famous river where this disease is believed to originate. The first outbreak of ebola virus occurred in Zaire in 1976. This illness is dangerous since it is spread by direct contact with the person infected with the virus. In addition, ebola virus is aerial so the chances of acquiring the virus is high. Ebola viruses are categorized into five classes, namely Zaire virus, Sudan ebolavirus, Reston ebolavirus, Ivory Coast ebolavirus, and Bundibugyo ebolavirus. The symptoms of this illness include severe headache, high fever, and abdominal pain. Below is a micrograph of the virus that causes this illness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ebola_virus_em.jpg

3.       Tuberculosis

Even if medical experts found cure or treatment for tuberculosis, it is still considered as a deadliest illness because every year 1.5 million individuals suffer and die from this disease. Antibiotics are used to fight the bacteria that cause this illness. Some of the symptoms of tuberculosis are rapid weight loss, frequent night sweating, and fever. Below is a photograph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis found in the sputum of a patient infected with the disease.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TB_in_sputum.png

4.       Cancer

Cancer is the medical terminology used by experts to refer to a class of illnesses that manifest uncontrolled cell growth and metastasis of unhealthy cells via lymph. Biopsy and genetic testing are some effective ways of detecting cancer, while the treatments include chemotherapy and surgery. Below is a photograph of a renal cell carcinoma in a kidney.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Renal_cell_carcinoma.jpg

5.       Aquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (also known as AIDS)

AIDS is a deadly disease because as of today, there are no available treatments for this illness. The illness can be transmitted by sexual intercourse, perinatal transmission, or by exposure to blood-borne pathogens. This disease weakens the immune system of a person, which makes the individual prone to other deadliest illnesses. Below is a micrograph of HIV-1, the virus that causes AIDS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HIV-budding-Color.jpg