Direct accessExplore the site
An illness, a gesture of prevention or a word found in a newsletter: find useful content, even without JavaScript.
The West Nile virus circulates between birds and mosquitoes. Human infection follows mainly a mosquito bite and often remains without symptoms. Does the vaccine used in horses protect humans? No. The WHO describes veterinary vaccines, but no vaccine available for humans in its form. Human prevention is based on reduced exposure to mosquitoes. West Nile virus
The Zika virus is mainly transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, but also during sexual intercourse or from the mother to the foetus. Pregnancy requires special attention. Does the absence of symptoms protect the baby? No: Congenital complications can follow a symptomatic or silent maternal infection. The absence of signs does not replace the assessment of exposure during pregnancy. Zika virus
Respiratory syncytial virus can cause bronchiolite in infants and severe infections at other ages. Is a preventive antibody a vaccine? No. It brings antibodies directly; a vaccine stimulates an immune response. Their particulars and modalities are not interchangeable. Respiratory syncytial virus
Mesures complémentaires contre les infections respiratoires : air intérieur, hygiène, vaccination, masques adaptés et conduite en cas de symptômes. Des barrières qui se complètent dans une pièce partagée. Les mesures utiles dépendent de la circulation des virus, du temps passé ensemble et des personnes présentes. Le traitement de l’air agit sur l’exposition collective ; l’hygiène des mains agit sur les transferts par contact.
The oxyurosis is a common intestinal parasitism in children. Eggs can contaminate hands, clothing and bedding, promoting reinfections. Why is treatment sometimes repeated? Medicines kill worms but not all eggs. The second prescribed intake refers to worms from eggs still present; hygiene measures limit re-infections. Enterobius vermicularis
Understand standard precautions, appropriate measures for the transmission, training and monitoring of infection prevention in care.
Micro-organism, cell culture or endoparasite can cause infection, allergy or poisoning depending on the context.
The disease is caused by Entamoeba histolytica and is transmitted by ingestion of parasites from fecooral contamination. It can be silent or cause digestive disease. Does an "amob" result prove a pathogenic infection? No: Entamoeba dispar may look like E. histolytica but does not have the same meaning. The precise result and test used count before concluding. Entamoeba histolytica
The disease is a bacterial infection transmitted mainly by ticks. A fever after exposure deserves a review, even without memory of a bite. Is the absence of recovered tick sufficient to exclude exposure? No: Many sick people don't remember a shot. The activities and places visited remain relevant to the assessment. Anaplasma phagocytophilum
The bacterial anthrax is a serious infection associated with Bacillus anthracis spores. Exposure can be skin, respiratory or digestive. Should we wait for a lesion to report exposure? No: The CDC recommends an immediate assessment of a suspected exposure. Post-exposure prevention and treatment of a declared disease have different roles. Bacillus anthracis
Antibiorésistance et résistance aux antimicrobiens : mécanismes, surveillance, prévention des infections et bon usage des traitements. Résistance : lire le chiffre avant de le comparer. La résistance concerne les micro-organismes. Dans sa fiche de juillet 2026, l’OMS indique qu’environ une infection bactérienne confirmée en laboratoire sur six dans le monde était résistante aux antibiotiques en 2023. Ce repère ne représente pas la fréquence de résistance chez toutes les personnes.
Medicinal product for certain bacterial infections. It does not treat a viral infection; its indication is a medical evaluation.
Ascariasis is an intestinal infection acquired by ingestion of Ascaris eggs present in a contaminated environment. Significant infections can hinder growth or transit. Does a cough exclude an intestinal parasitic origin? No: larvae pass through the lungs before the adult intestinal stage. This does not mean that any cough is an ascaridiosis; exposure and testing are still necessary. Ascaris lumbricoides
Blastomycosis is an infection caused by inhalation of Blastomyc spores in some soils. It often affects the lungs and sometimes the skin. Do the symptoms always appear immediately after exposure? No: The CDCs describe a typical delay of several weeks to a few months. It is useful to mention previous activities and trips, not just those of the last days. Blastomyces spp.
Brucellosis is a bacterial infection acquired mainly by unpasteurized dairy products or by contact with infected animals and their tissues. Does brucellosis easily pass from one person to another? Transmission between people is very rare according to WHO. Prevention focuses on contaminated food products, animal contact and occupational safety. Brucella spp.
Campylobacteriosis is a digestive infection often associated with contaminated foods, including undercooked poultry. Water and raw milk may also be involved. Do we still need antibiotics? No: Management is often based on rehydration. Antibiotics are reserved for certain medically evaluated situations, including invasive infections; diarrhoea alone is not enough to decide them. Campylobacter spp.
Candidiasis occurs when Candida, a yeast naturally present in the body, proliferates. Local infection and invasive candidiasis are different situations. Does the common candidiasis behave like Candida auris? No: Candida auris has special features, including spread in health care facilities. Information on this species should not be automatically applied to a typical local candidiasis. Candida spp.
Fungal infections in the repertoire cover superficial and invasive diseases. Some are associated with an environment, others are associated with a flora already present or with a transmission in care. A mould visible in a dwelling does not diagnose a fungus in a person.
Chikungunya is an infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, often marked by severe joint pain. Do persistent pains prove that the virus is still circulating in the blood? No. They can prolong the disease without translating the same phase of infection. Monitoring is useful if it limits activities. Virus chikungunya
Genital chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection frequently without symptoms. Screening allows for management. Does previous treatment protect against a new infection? No. Reinfection is possible, especially if an infected partner has not been managed. Prevention remains necessary. Chlamydia trachomatis
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is a viral infection associated with mice and their dejections. It may sometimes evolve to a neurological condition. Are domestic rodents always safe? No: Domestic mice or hamsters may be infected. Their origin and contact with wild rodents should be considered, without assigning any disease to the animal. Lymphocyte choriomeningitis virus
Chromoblastomycosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection acquired after an injury exposed to environmental fungi. It often evolves slowly. Does this infection go directly from one person to another? No: WHO describes inoculation from the environment after an injury. Mosquitoes are not its vector. Mushrooms, dematiacated
The term "contact" covers several situations: skin, lesions, secretions or contaminated objects depending on the agent. It does not mean that all infections are transmitted by a handshake. The disease sheet shall specify the mechanism to be examined.
Pertussis is a bacterial respiratory infection. A persistent cough may exist without the characteristic song. Can a vaccinated person still have a whooping cough? Yes. Protection decreases over time; symptoms may be less typical. Report a persistent cough before you meet an infant. Bordetella pertussis
National organizations and profiles have filters by country, area, theme and language in the directory.
Search the directory →