The National Academies

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

What You Need To Know About Infectious Disease

Prevention & Treatment

Infectious diseases may be an unavoidable fact of life, but there are many strategies available to help us protect ourselves from infection and to treat a disease once it has developed. Some are simple steps that individuals can take. Others are national or worldwide methods of detection, prevention, and treatment. All are critical to keeping communities, nations, and global populations healthy and secure.

Microbe Awareness

Microbe Awareness

The simple act of washing your hands is considered the most important way to prevent disease transmission.

Some easy steps can prevent the spread of infections. Proper handwashing, careful food preparation, and keeping immunizations current are just a few examples. Learn more here. 

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Vaccines & Medicines

Vaccines & Medicines

Infectious disease may be an unavoidable fact of life, but modern medicine can help protect us from infection and treat disease once it develops.

When you think about how we prevent and treat disease, vaccines and medicines probably come to mind first. Learn how biochemical advances have affected our evolving relationship with microbes—and what concerns health officials about the future.

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Government Policies

Government Policies

The United States depends on the policies of federal and state agencies to help keep us healthy and secure.

Numerous government agencies monitor the spread of infectious disease in the United States. Some experts believe the system needs to be better coordinated. Find out more about who is charged with protecting our nation from disease threats.

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International Cooperation

International Cooperation

Health networks are listening in on “viral chatter”—the transmission of animal viruses to humans in places like live animal markets or newly settled areas in the tropics.

National borders do not block the advance of infectious diseases. Nations around the world must work together to help survey the infectious disease landscape—and warn of any disease outbreaks as quickly as possible.

More about international cooperation

Explore Other Topics

What do you know about infectious disease?

Which of the following diseases is NOT caused by a virus?

  • Sorry, that’s incorrect.

    Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.

  • Sorry, that’s incorrect.

    Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.

  • Sorry, that’s incorrect.

    Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.

  • Correct!

    Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterial infection. Chicken pox, the common cold, and influenza are all caused by viral infections.

Infectious Disease Defined

Immunization

The process of strengthening the body’s defense against a particular infectious agent, often accomplished by receiving a vaccine.

View our full glossary

National Academies

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