Did You Know There Are Quick Tests for Infectious Diseases?

Editorial supervision: Professor Satoshi Iwata, Center for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Keio University School of Medicine

With infectious diseases it is important to get checked as soon as possible at a medical institution and receive a correct diagnosis.

Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms. While they are not so rare, they can sometimes be very serious and cause considerable damage to your health. Nowadays, it is possible to diagnose several infectious diseases, including the flu, with quick and relatively simple tests. Here you'll find information about the infectious diseases caused by the influenza virus, norovirus, pneumococcus, and group A hemolytic streptococcus.

Influenza Virus

A common disease caused by an infection with the influenza virus. It is characterized by symptoms such as a fever over 38℃, a headache, joint pain, muscle pain and general malaise.

Norovirus

Norovirus, a very contagious virus that can cause acute gastroenteritis, is usually spread through the fingers and foods. Once inside the body, it proliferates in the intestinal tract, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a bacteria that is normally present at the back of the nose and throat, but when triggered may cause otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear), rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal passages and sinus cavities), bronchitis, pneumonia, septicemia, and meningitis etc.

Group A hemolytic streptococcus

An infection with group A hemolytic streptococci can cause a wide variety of diseases, such as acute pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx), tonsillitis, impetigo (a bacterial skin infection), or scarlet fever as a special disease type.

2020 MAR QF2003015