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What is Amebiasis?
Amebiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, called Entamoeba histolytica (ent-a-ME-ba his-to-LI-ti-ka). Amebiasis occurs worldwide. Although, anyone can acquire this illness, it is most common in people who live in developing countries…
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is primarily a disease of sheep, goats, cattle and swine, but it can also infect humans. Symptoms of the disease usually occur within 7 days after exposure and will vary…
What is Botulism?
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (klos-trih-dee-um bot-u-li-num). There are four kinds of botulism which are food-borne botulism, wound botulism, infant botulism and adult…
What is Brucellosis?
Brucellosis, or Undulant Fever, is a rare infectious disease caused by Brucella bacteria. These bacteria are passed, and cause disease, primarily among animals. Various Brucella bacteria affect sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, dogs, and several other animals.
Humans…
What is Campylobacteriosis?
Campylobacteriosis (cam·py·lo·bac·teer-ee-o-sis) is a disease caused by bacteria called Campylobacter. Campylobacter infect the intestinal tract and sometimes the blood. There are 16 species and six subspecies assigned to the genus Campylobacter, of which the most…
What is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. About 90 percent of chickenpox cases occur before the child becomes 12 years of age. There is a vaccine.
What are the symptoms of Chickenpox?
Children with chickenpox will feel flu-like symptoms such as fatigue…
What is Cholera?
Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
How common is Cholera?
Cholera is not a common disease in Canada. In Ontario, an average of one case per year is reported and all cases have…
What is Clostridium difficile (C. diff)?
C. diff is one of the many germs (bacteria) that can be found in stool (a bowel movement). C. diff disease occurs when antibiotics kill your good bowel bacteria and allow the C. diff to grow. When C. diff grows, it produces substances (toxins). These toxins…
What is Pink Eye?
Infectious conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an infection of the clear membrane covering the eyeball. It is usually caused by a virus but may also be caused by bacteria. Bacterial conjunctivitis is less common in children older than 5 years of age. Allergies, exposure…
What is E. coli?
E. coli are bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. There are different types of E. coli; some not harmful to people and some which cause serious illness such as E. coli O157: H7.
How can you get sick from the harmful type of E. coli?…
What is Fifth Disease?
Fifth disease is sometimes called “slapped cheek” syndrome because of the red rash it causes. It is an infection of the airway and lungs. Parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease. It is most common in late winter and early spring.
Fifth Disease and…
What is Giardiasis?
Giardiasis (gee-are-dye-uh-sis) is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites called Giardia. These parasites can live in the intestines of many mammals, including humans. Although many species of Giardiaare found worldwide, only Giardia lamblia…
What is Cryptosporidiosis?
Cryptosporidiosis (krip-toh-spo-ri-dee-oh-sus) is a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites, Cryptosporidium, that can live in the intestines of many mammals, including humans. Although there are many species of Cryptosporidium, only one species,…
What is Cyclospora?
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can affect the intestinal tract and cause diarrhea. It is associated with foreign travel or eating imported foods that are contaminated with the parasite (i.e. raspberries).
What are the symptoms of Cyclospora?
Watery diarrhea…
What is Group A Streptococcal Disease (GAS)?
GAS is a germ (bacterium) that is often found in the nose, throat and/or on the skin of healthy people. Many people may carry the germ but it doesn’t cause infection or illness to them. However, for others, the germ can cause disease, ranging from a…