General information, not a diagnosis Method and limitations

CompareUseful differences

Compare infectious diseases

The same route of exposure may involve very different agents. Compare the mechanisms and prevention, then consult the original records and sources.

Choose up to four diseases

Agents, Exposures and Prevention

Documentary comparison of 3 diseases; no estimate of individual risk
BenchmarkMeningococcal meningitisDiphtheriaHaemophilus influenzae infection
AgentNeisseria meningitidisCorynebacterium diphtheriaeHaemophilus influenzae
FamilyBacteriaBacteriaBacteria
Paths and contextsRespiratory
Close contact
Respiratory
Close contact
Respiratory
Close contact
What distinguishes diseaseInvasive infection that can evolve rapidly; meningococcal infection is transmitted by respiratory secretions in close contact.Transmissible bacterial infection that can reach the respiratory tract and produce a dangerous toxin.Group of bacterial infections whose type b can cause serious invasive forms in young children.
PreventionVaccination as recommended and antibioprophylaxis of contacts when prescribed.Complete vaccination with reminders and rapid handling of cases and their contacts.Immunization against Hib during childhood and antibioprophylaxis of contacts when indicated.
DeepeningForm →
WHO — reference
Form →
WHO — reference
Form →
CDC — référence ↗
Diagnosis and monitoringSuspicion requires urgent assessment. Samples can identify the agent; they must not delay the management of a suspected bacterial infection. Follow-up of contacts concerns persons identified by the team or competent authority.Confirmation must be arranged quickly. The treatment of suspicion should not be delayed pending the results; breathing difficulties are urgent.Analyses, such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid depending on the form, identify the bacteria. The type must be specified when it conditions prevention.
Preparing for an exchange with a professional
  • Start time and speed of worsening
  • Conscience disorders, breathing or behaviour
  • Vaccine diary and latest recalls
  • Beginning of throat or breathing disorders
  • Hib vaccination documented
  • Type mentioned in the results

What this table allows to understand

The selected records cover 1 agent family/families. They share the following routes or contexts in our catalogue: Respiratory · Close contact. These associations describe the selected data; they do not measure contagiousness, severity or personal risk.

To review a comparison, choose one row and open the reference for each column. A preventive measure mentioned in one record and absent from another is not necessarily unnecessary in the second situation: the summaries and their scope may differ.

If symptoms occurThe table does not select any test or treatment. A fever after a stay in the malaria area should be reported promptly, even if prevention has been taken.
Understanding agent, vector and exposure →

Further reading

These publications help you verify the concepts discussed. Disease records and directory entries each identify their sources.

The content modification date does not mean that every source has undergone a new medical review. Verification method and scope.