Infectious diseases are often linked to bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other organisms that can spread disease. You can get an infectious disease from an insect bite, an animal or coming into contact with someone carrying the disease. You can also get infected through contaminated food or water.
Vaccines can help prevent certain infectious diseases, such as measles, chickenpox and COVID-19.
Common infectious diseases include:
Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health infectious disease specialists treat children with a variety of infections, including fairly common infections affecting the skin, ears, respiratory tract, intestines, bones and joints, as well as more uncommon infections involving the central nervous system (brain and spine) and sepsis.
The COVID-19 pandemic shined a new light on the power and impact of vaccines. They are an easy-yet-vital way to protect children from disease. We look at some frequently asked questions that illustrate how important vaccines are.