HealthInfo Canterbury
Overview of infectious diseases
Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites can all cause infectious diseases.
You can catch infectious diseases by:
- breathing in droplets in the air caused by an infected person coughing or sneezing
- touching contaminated items or surfaces then touching your mouth without having washed your hands
- consuming contaminated water or food.
You can also catch infectious diseases from:
- contact with body fluids
- insect or animal bites.
Some types of infectious disease have to be reported to Community and Public Health. Community and Public Health are responsible for investigating cases of infectious disease and controlling their spread within our community.
Vaccination is the safest and most effective way to prevent many serious infectious diseases and protect our community.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Community and Public Health
- Controlling the spread of infectious diseases
The latest information on infectious diseases, including trends and how to prevent the diseases.
- Health information for farming, dairy and meat industry families
Information for farming families on preventing illness and infections from cattle, sheep, pigs and other farm animals.
- Controlling the spread of infectious diseases
- Hapū Hauora – Te karonga i nga momo mate (avoiding infections)
Information from a Māori perspective on the steps whānau can take to avoid getting sick from infections.
- Ministry of Health – Infectious disease poster
At-a-glance information on 21 childhood diseases. Shows how each disease or infection is spread, time between exposure and sickness, early signs of illness, how long the child will be infectious, and how long children should be excluded from kindergarten or school.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2018. Last updated July 2018.
Review key: HIINF-38553
