All people in their lives were sick with something, otherwise it is impossible, it is so inherent from the very beginning of our world. Chickenpox, rubella, acute respiratory infections - this is a small part of what we experienced. But in the world there are diseases that it’s better not to think about, and everyone hopes that they will pass by without fail. But, as time shows, no one is safe from this. So what is the most dangerous disease in the world? Let's look at this article.
TOP 10 most dangerous diseases
Modern medicine already knows a huge number of different diseases. All of them are characterized depending on the pathology: moderate, moderate, as well as severe. We tried to describe the 10 most dangerous human diseases and each one to take its place.
10th place. AIDS
AIDS opens the list of the most dangerous diseases; it ranks tenth in our ranking.
This is a fairly young disease that has ruined the lives of millions of people. The source of infection is human blood, with the help of which the virus infects all internal organs, tissues, glands, blood vessels. At first, the disease does not manifest itself. She "slowly" studies and spreads throughout the body of the diseased. At the initial stage, it is quite difficult to identify the virus.
AIDS proceeds in four stages.
- The first is an acute infection. Symptoms at this stage resemble a common cold (cough, fever, runny nose, and skin rash). After 3 weeks, this period passes, and the person, not knowing the presence of the virus, begins to infect others.
- AI (asymptomatic infection). There are no clinical manifestations of HIV. A disease can only be detected with the help of laboratory tests.
- The third stage occurs after 3-5 years. Due to the fact that the body's protective functions are reduced, symptoms of the disease itself arise - migraines, indigestion and intestines, swollen lymph nodes, loss of strength. A person at this stage is still able-bodied. Treatment gives only a short-term effect.
- At the fourth stage, the immune system is completely destroyed, not only with pathogenic microbes, but also with ordinary ones that have long been in the intestines, on the skin, in the lungs. There is a complete defeat of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, organs of vision, respiratory system, mucous membranes, as well as lymph nodes. The patient sharply loses weight. Death in this case, unfortunately, is inevitable.
Up to 12 years can pass from infection to biological death , which is why HIV is classified as a slow infectious disease.
HIV is transmitted sexually, through the blood, from mother to child.
AIDS statistics
The greatest activity of this disease occurs in Russia. Since 2001, the number of infected has doubled. In 2013, about 2.1 million people became ill around the world. At the moment, there are 35 million people with HIV infection, and 17 million of this number are not aware of their disease.
9th place. Cancer
The 10 most dangerous diseases in the world also include cancer. He occupies the ninth position in our ranking. This is a malignant tumor in which pathological proliferation of tissue occurs. In women, among the tumors, breast cancer predominates, in men, lung cancer.
Earlier, there were allegations that this ailment spreads quite quickly. To date, this information is not reliable, since it has long been proven that cancer in the body has been developing for decades.
In the process of growth, the tumor does not give any pain. Therefore, a person with cancer can walk without symptoms for many years and not suspect that he has, in fact, the most dangerous disease in the world.
Everything becomes clear at the last stage. The growth of the tumor as a whole depends on the protection of the body, therefore, if the immunity drops sharply, then the disease progresses rapidly.
To date, the occurrence of tumors is associated with serious violations in the genetic apparatus of the cell. The ecological situation also plays an important role, for example, radiation in the environment, the presence of carcinogens in water, air, food, soil, clothing. Some working conditions accelerate the development of the tumor to the same extent, for example, cement production, regular work with microwave, as well as with x-ray equipment.
Since recent times, it has been proven that lung cancer is directly associated with smoking, stomach cancer - with improper and irregular nutrition, constant stress, alcohol, hot foods, spices, animal fats, and medications.
However, there are tumors that are in no way associated with the environment, but are inherited.
Cancer statistics
If you ask yourself what are the most dangerous diseases of the 21st century, the answer is obvious: one of them is cancer, which claimed millions of lives and continues to progress, bringing grief and suffering to many families. About 4.5 million men and 3.5 million women die of cancer every year on the planet. The situation is terrifying. Even worse are the assumptions of scientists by 2030: approximately 30 million people can leave us forever for this reason. The most dangerous types of cancer, according to doctors, are: cancer of the lungs, stomach, intestines, liver.
8th place. Tuberculosis
Eighth place in the TOP 10 most dangerous diseases is tuberculosis. The stick that causes this disease is around us in the literal sense of the word - in water, air, soil, on various objects. It is very tenacious and can remain dry until 5 years. The only thing that the tubercle bacillus is afraid of is direct sunlight. Therefore, in ancient times, when this disease could not be treated, patients were sent to where there is a lot of sun and light.
The source of infection is a sick person who secretes tuberculosis bacteria with sputum. Infection occurs when its smallest particles are inhaled.
Tuberculosis cannot be inherited, but the likelihood of predisposition still exists.
The human body is quite susceptible to this infection. At the beginning of infection, some disorders of the immune system appear. The disease will fully manifest itself when the body cannot resist tuberculosis infection. This occurs due to poor nutrition, living in poor housing conditions, as well as during exhaustion and weakening of the body.
Penetrating through the respiratory tract, the infection enters the bloodstream and affects not only the lungs, but also other equally important organs. It is believed that tuberculosis can spread throughout the body, except for nails and hair.
Tuberculosis statistics
The most significant tuberculosis diseases are in Africa and South America. Almost not sick in Greenland, Finland. About one billion people each year become infected with tubercle bacillus, 9 million become ill, and 3, sadly, die.
7th place. Malaria
Continue the TOP of the most dangerous malaria diseases. She ranks seventh in our ranking.
The main carriers of malaria are mosquitoes of a special kind - anopheles. There are more than 50 species. The mosquito itself is not exposed to the disease.
In the human body, in particular in the liver, the causative agent of this disease lives and spreads within 10 days. Then it goes into red blood cells, where it also lives and forms 2 forms: asexual and sexual. If the pathogen has passed this cycle and at that moment a mosquito from the Anopheles genus will bite a person, then a malarial microorganism of a sexual form enters the stomach of the parasite, where again a series of transformations takes place, after which the pathogen accumulates in their salivary glands. At this moment, he can and will infect within 30-45 days.
The symptoms are obvious. Pain in the liver appears, anemia occurs, and red blood cells are also destroyed. Chills alternate with intense fever - these are the main symptoms of malaria.
Malaria Statistics
About 2 million people die from malaria every year in the world. In the previous year, 207 million were recorded, of which nearly 700,000 deaths, mainly among African children. There, one child passes away literally every minute.
6th place. "Mad Cow"
Another most dangerous disease in the world, ranking sixth in our ranking, which has claimed the lives of millions of people and continues to operate to this day, is “mad cow disease,” or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.
The carrier in this case are abnormal proteins, or prions, which are particles that affect the brain and spinal cord. They are quite resistant even to high temperatures. The mechanism of action of prions on the brain is not yet fully understood, but it is known for certain that the cavities that are located in the brain tissue acquire a spongy structure, hence the corresponding name.
A person can become infected with this disease simply, it is enough to eat infected meat in the amount of half a gram. You can also become infected if the saliva of a sick animal gets on the wound, in contact with bats, from mother to child, through food.
At the onset of the disease, itching and burning sensation at the wound site can be felt. A depressed state appears, anxiety, nightmares, fear of death, complete apathy. Then there is an increased body temperature, the pulse quickens, the pupils dilate. A few days later, salivation increases, aggressiveness, inappropriate behavior appear.
The most striking symptom is thirst. The patient takes a glass of water and throws it aside, a spasm of the respiratory muscles appears. Then they develop into excruciating pains. Over time, hallucinations appear.
After this period, lull comes. The patient feels reassurance, which ends very quickly. Then paralysis of the extremities occurs, after which the patient dies after 48 hours. Death occurs as a result of cardiovascular and respiratory paralysis.
The treatment of this disease is still missing. All therapy is aimed at reducing pain.
Mad Cow Statistics
This disease was considered rare for some time, but to date, 88 deaths have been recorded worldwide.
5th place. Polio
The most dangerous human diseases also include polio. He used to cripple and kill a huge number of kids. Polio - childhood paralysis, against which no one can resist. Most often, it affects children under 7 years old. Polio is fifth in our ranking of the most dangerous diseases.
This disease occurs within 2 weeks in a latent form. Then the head begins to hurt, the body temperature rises, muscle pain appears, nausea, vomiting, the throat becomes inflamed. The muscles are so weak that the child cannot move his limbs, if this condition does not go away within a few days, then the likelihood that the paralysis will remain for life is quite high.
If the polio virus enters the body, it will pass through the blood, nerves, spinal cord and brain, where it will settle in the cells of the gray matter, as a result of which they will rapidly decay. If the cell dies under the influence of the virus, then the paralysis of the area that control the dead cells will remain forever. If she does recover, then the muscles can again be in motion.
Polio statistics
Recently, according to WHO, this disease has not been around for almost 2 decades. But there are still cases of polio virus infection, no matter how sad it may sound. In Tajikistan alone, about 300 cases were registered, of which 15 died. Also, multiple cases of the disease were noted in Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan. The forecasts are also disappointing, scientists who studied the polio virus claim that in 10 years there will be 200,000 cases every year.
4th place. "Bird flu"
The fourth place in our ranking as the most dangerous disease in the world is occupied by bird flu. There is no cure for this ailment yet. The carriers are wild birds. The virus is transmitted from sick to healthy birds through droppings. Also, carriers can be rats, which themselves do not become infected, but can transmit it to others. The virus enters the human body through the respiratory tract or into the eyes. Infection occurs by airborne droplets. When eating poultry meat, the infection has not been fully studied, since the virus dies at temperatures above 70 ° C, but it is known that infection is possible by eating raw eggs.
Symptoms are very similar to normal flu, but after some time, SARS occurs (acute respiratory failure). Between these symptoms, only 6 days pass. In most cases, the disease was fatal.
Bird Flu Statistics
The last case was reported in Chile. In Russia, there was a case of transmission of the virus from person to person, which has never been observed before. Scientists claim that the bird flu will not disappear, and outbreaks will still be repeated.
3rd place. lupus erythematosus
Third place in the ranking of "The most dangerous human diseases" is occupied by lupus erythematosus.
This is a connective tissue disease of an immune nature. With lupus erythematosus, the skin and internal organs are affected.
This disease is accompanied by a rash on the cheeks and nose bridge, which are very reminiscent of wolf bites, hence the corresponding name. Also there are pains in the joints and hands. As the disease progresses, scaly spots appear on the head, arms, face, back, chest, and auricles. There is sensitivity to sunlight, ulcers on the face, in particular on the nose and cheeks, diarrhea, nausea, depression, anxiety, weakness are observed.
The causes of lupus erythematosus are still not known. There is an assumption that with the disease, immune disorders occur, as a result of which an aggressive action begins against his own body.
Lupus erythematosus statistics
Lupus erythematosus affects about one person in two thousand at the age of 10 to 50 years. 85% of them are women.
2nd place. Cholera
The second place in our rating is occupied by cholera caused by vibrio. It is transmitted from person to person through food and water. Vibrio cholerae is quite tenacious, it is especially good in reservoirs where sewage flows.
The main task of the vibrio will be in the mouth to the person, after which it passes into the stomach. Then it penetrates the small intestine and begins to multiply, releasing toxins. Constant vomiting, diarrhea, pain around the navel appears . A person begins to dry before his eyes, his hands become wrinkled, kidneys, lungs, heart suffer.
Cholera Statistics
In 2013, 92,000 patients with cholera were registered in 40 countries. The greatest activity is in America and Africa. The least sick in Europe.
1st place. Ebola Fever
The most dangerous human disease in the list closes with Ebola, which has claimed the lives of several thousand people.
Carriers are rats, infected animals, for example, gorillas, monkeys, bats. Infection occurs as a result of contact with their blood, organs, secretions, etc. The sick person poses a huge danger to others. Virus transmission is also possible through poorly sterilized needles and instruments.
The incubation period lasts from 4 to 6 days. Patients are concerned about persistent headache, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen and muscles. After a few days, a cough and sharp chest pain appears. On the fifth day, a rash occurs, which later disappears, leaving a peeling. Hemorrhagic syndrome develops, nosebleeds appear, pregnant women have a miscarriage, women experience uterine bleeding. In most cases, death occurs around the second week of illness. The patient dies from heavy bleeding and shock.
Ebola Statistics
The greatest activity of this disease occurs in Africa, where in 2014 as many people died as did not die during all periods of Ebola outbreaks. Also, the epidemic is observed in Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia. In 2014, the number of cases reached 2000, 970 of which left our world.
Of course, no one is safe from all of the above diseases, but something we can still do. , , , , , . Health to you!