The National Academies

The National Academies: What You Need To Know About Infectious Disease

What You Need To Know About Infectious Disease

Prevention & Treatment

International Cooperation

National borders are trivial impediments to infectious disease threats. In the highly interconnected and readily traversed global village of our time, one nation’s problem soon becomes every nation’s problem. Therefore, strategies must be implemented worldwide, not just nationally, in order to have a true impact.

Global Surveillance

Global Surveillance

Effective communication networks are key to controlling the spread of infectious disease.

Many international organizations are working together to improve methods for sharing information rapidly and reliably. Learn about some key efforts.

More about global surveillance

Public Health in Developing Nations

Public Health in Developing Nations

For every child who dies from pneumonia in an industrialized country, more than 2,000 children die from the infection in developing countries.

A huge gap exists between the health of people in wealthy and poor nations. Discover the primary causes of the gap and learn how international efforts are striving to narrow it.

More about public health in developing nations

Explore Other Topics

What do you know about infectious disease?

True or False: Not all microbes are harmful to humans.

  • Correct!

    Not all microbes are harmful to humans. In fact, many of them protect us, helping our bodies function properly and competing with harmful organisms in an eternal contest for habitable space in or on our bodies. Although the microorganisms that cause disease often receive more attention, most microorganisms do not cause illness.

  • Sorry, that’s incorrect.

    Not all microbes are harmful to humans. In fact, many of them protect us, helping our bodies function properly and competing with harmful organisms in an eternal contest for habitable space in or on our bodies. Although the microorganisms that cause disease often receive more attention, most microorganisms do not cause illness.

Infectious Disease Defined

Rheumatic Fever

An inflammatory disease that may be caused by an untreated or improperly treated case of strep throat.

View our full glossary

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