Diseases Articles A-Z
How is SARS spread? This eMedTV segment explains that SARS is spread through the air or by touching an infected surface. This article discusses how SARS is transmitted and provides a detailed description of what qualifies as close contact.
Factors discussed in this eMedTV article that may influence how leprosy spreads include genetics, the degree of susceptibility, and the extent of exposure. This article also looks at the likelihood of transmitting leprosy to household contacts.
The most common type of botulism is infant botulism, which makes up approximately 75 percent of all cases each year. This eMedTV segment explains infant botulism in detail, including causes, symptoms, treatments, and prognosis.
An estimated 10 to 20% of Americans come down with influenza each year -- a highly contagious respiratory infection. This page of the eMedTV website describes symptoms of influenza, how it is transmitted, and who is most at risk from it.
The influenza vaccine is usually given through an injection, but a new nasal spray has recently been approved by the FDA. This eMedTV resource explains how the influenza vaccine is created, who should get it, and possible side effects.
Evidence indicates that leprosy is contagious only when a person has not received treatment. As this eMedTV segment explains, once treatment has begun, a person shortly becomes noninfectious.
Is SARS contagious? Yes -- the SARS virus is very contagious. As this eMedTV article explains, it is spread through person-to-person contact, either through the air or by touching a contaminated surface. This segment talks about SARS transmission.
Leprosy is a complex infectious disease caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. This eMedTV article discusses the disease in detail, including its history, transmission methods, the various types, treatments, and prevalence.
Leprosy -- American Statistics
According to this eMedTV page, each year in the United States, there are 200 to 250 new cases of leprosy. American statistics on the disease show that the largest numbers of cases are in California, Texas, and Florida, and affect mostly immigrants.
This eMedTV article explains the process doctors use to make a leprosy diagnosis. For example, the doctor begins with a physical exam and questions about the patient's medical history. If needed, a skin biopsy is performed to check for the bacteria.
There are 200 to 250 new reported cases of leprosy in the United States each year. This eMedTV page explains how 175 of these are new cases diagnosed for the first time. The page also lists the states and populations where the disease is often found.
This eMedTV article discusses leprosy skin lesions in detail for both types of the disease. For example, slightly red patches of skin that appear on the trunk or extremities, or a symmetrical skin rash are two possible indications of leprosy.
This eMedTV article offers a variety of leprosy statistics, both worldwide and in the United States. For example, there are approximately 6,500 U.S. cases of leprosy, and the disease is more common in tropical areas, like South America.
About three to five years after becoming infected with the bacteria that cause leprosy, symptoms begin. This eMedTV article discusses these symptoms in detail for the two types of leprosy and explains why they can vary.
Most scientists believe that leprosy transmission occurs from person to person in respiratory droplets. This eMedTV article discusses these and other factors that may influence the spread of disease, such as genetic factors.