Winter-time. . .and infection is easi [ly spread]. . .

Dr Paul G Autwaerter of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious diseases has a video available via Medscape on infectious diseases that occur more readily and typically peak in wintertime months, influenza and pneumonia not withstanding. I was surprised by the fact that there are a few I’d never heard of:

• Leptospirosis — a bacterial disease that affects both animals and humans.  Leptospirosis is more common in tropical climates, such as Hawaii and is often misdiagnosed as other illnesses. If left untreated, the disease can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, or death.
• LCMV — a viral, rodent born disease that humans can contract after being exposed to the droppings or urine of infected house mice. Since mice are more likely to come in the house when it’s cold outside, physicians see it more often in the winter months. LCMV can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningoencephalitis.
• Rotavirus – A virus that can cause vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever and is especially dangerous in toddlers.
• Cocciodiosis — Commonly known as Valley Fever, resident who live in the Sanoran desert are well acquainted with the illness that’s caused by inhaling a particular fungus. While more than half of those who inhale the fungus get sick, others aren’t so lucky. It can present like the flu or pneumonia, and in rare cases, leads to death
• Meningococchal disease — this disease is more common among college students than any other demographic.  Medical experts suspect this is because of the close quarters of college dormitories, which in winter months can lead to influenza and the common cold, in addition to meningococchal disease, which is decidedly, and thankfully more rare.