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
BenchmarkSmallpoxRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infectionAdenovirus infection
AgentVariolic virusRespiratory syncytial virusHuman adenoviruses
FamilyVirusVirusVirus
Paths and contextsRespiratory
Close contact
Respiratory
Close contact
Respiratory
Close contact
Water and food
What distinguishes diseaseHuman disease worldwide eradicated in 1980; no natural cases are currently circulating.Frequent respiratory infection may be severe in infants, elderly or fragile people.Group of infections that may affect the respiratory tract, eyes or digestive system.
PreventionInternational surveillance and specialized preparedness plans for any suspicious event.Hand hygiene, limitation of symptomatic contact and immunization when recommended.Hand hygiene, adapted disinfection and proper maintenance of swimming pools and community facilities.
DeepeningForm →
WHO — reference
Form →
WHO — reference
Form →
CDC — référence ↗
Diagnosis and monitoringThe history of eradication must guide interpretation: visual resemblance is not a diagnosis. The evaluation of an eruption first looks for the causes adapted to the context.Clinical assessment is about breathing and hydration. A sample can identify the virus when it is useful, without replacing the child's surveillance.Review and the collective context guide possible tests. Specify if symptoms include eyes, breathing or digestion.
Preparing for an exchange with a professional
  • Date and evolution of a current eruption
  • Travel, contacts and associated symptoms
  • Age and possible prematurity
  • Breathing, eating and wet diapers
  • Eye damage, lung or digestion
  • Pool and pooled cases

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.