Introduction: Microbes, known as microscopic organisms, are actively present at all levels of human life. These diverse organisms include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, which thrive in various environments such as soil, water, and even inside the human body (Sharifi Kia, 2024). Many microbes are harmless and even beneficial, playing vital roles in biological processes and maintaining ecosystem balance. However, some of them can cause dangerous infectious diseases that seriously threaten the health of humans and other living organisms (Shams, 2013). Since these diseases are generally transmitted through direct contact, respiratory droplets, contaminated water and food, and insect vectors (Sharifi Kia, 2024), Karagar et al. (2007) found in a study that rotaviruses are among the microbes with higher prevalence during cold months in Jahrom city. Asadi et al. (2019) discovered in a parasitology laboratory study that non-parasitic structures such as spores and fat droplets are often mistaken for parasites, leading to false-positive results and incorrect treatments. Therefore, accurate identification and differentiation are crucial.
Methods: Methods of Microbial Transmission
1. Direct contact (common cold and skin infections) – WHO and CDC
2. Transmission through respiration (coughing)
3. Insects or vector animals
4. Oral-fecal transmission
5. Through blood – CDC and OSHA
Treatment Methods
• Pharmaceutical treatments and antibiotics
• Antibiotics for urinary tract, skin infections, and tuberculosis
• Antiviral drugs for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and influenza
• Antifungal medications such as fluconazole for fungal infections and antiparasitic drugs (Hosseinzadeh, 2013).
• Natural and herbal treatments
• Garlic – antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
• Honey – stops bacteria due to its hydrogen peroxide content and high sugar concentration.
• Turmeric – contains curcumin.
Research Method
The present study was a review, and the search was conducted through the following databases:
www.isiwebofknowledge.com, www.scopus.com, www.Sciencedirect.com
Results: Key Takeaways from the Text
The presented article addresses infectious diseases as a major challenge in the global health system and emphasizes prevention as the key strategy for combating them. Preventive measures such as vaccination, adherence to personal hygiene principles, and proper nutrition are effective factors in controlling and managing infectious diseases. Although many microbes are harmless or even beneficial, some can cause dangerous diseases transmitted through direct contact, respiratory droplets, and contaminated water and food.
Conclusion: Combating infectious diseases requires a multifaceted strategy centered on prevention. Vaccination, hygiene observance, and proper nutrition are the main pillars of this prevention. Additionally, accurate identification of the pathogen is crucial to prevent misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment. Therefore, investing in research and development of innovative methods is an unavoidable necessity.