● `color{brown}"𝘞𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢"` (`color{Violet}"𝘞. 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘪"` 𝘢𝘯𝘥 `color{Violet}"𝘞. 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘪"`), the filarial worms cause a slowly developing `color{Violet}"chronic inflammation"` of the organs in which they live for many years, usually the `color{Violet}"lymphatic vessels"` of the lower limbs and the disease is called `color{brown}"elephantiasis or filariasis"`.

● The `color{Violet}"genital organs"` are also often affected, resulting in `color{Violet}"gross deformities"`.

● The `color{Violet}"pathogens"` are transmitted to a healthy person through the `color{Violet}"bite"` by the `color{Violet}"female mosquito vectors"`.

● Many fungi belonging to the genera `color{brown}"𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮, 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘰𝘯"` 𝘢𝘯𝘥 `color{brown}"𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘰𝘯"` are responsible for `color{brown}"ringworms"` which is one of the most common infectious diseases in man.

● Appearance of `color{Violet}"dry, scaly lesions"` on various parts of the body such as `color{Violet}"skin, nails and scalp"` are the main symptoms of the disease.

● These lesions are accompanied by `color{Violet}"intense itching"`.

● `color{Violet}"Heat and moisture"` help these fungi to grow, which makes them thrive in `color{Violet}"skin folds"` such as those in the groin or between the toes.

● Ringworms are generally acquired from `color{Violet}"soil"` or by using `color{Violet}"towels"`, `color{Violet}"clothes"` or even the`color{Violet}" comb of infected individuals"`.

● Maintenance of `color{Violet}"personal and public hygiene"` is very important for prevention and control of many infectious diseases.

● Measures for personal hygiene include keeping the `color{Violet}"body clean"`; consumption of `color{Violet}"clean drinking water"`, `color{Violet}"food"`, vegetables, fruits, etc.

● Public hygiene includes `color{Violet}"proper disposal"` of `color{Violet}"waste and excreta"`; `color{Violet}"periodic cleaning"` and `color{Violet}"disinfection of water reservoirs"`, pools, cesspools and tanks and observing standard practices of hygiene in public catering.

● These measures are particularly essential where the infectious agents are transmitted through food and water such as `color{Violet}"typhoid, amoebiasis"` `color{Violet}"and ascariasis"`.



● In cases of air-borne diseases such as `color{Violet}"pneumonia and"` `color{Violet}"common cold"`, in addition to the above measures, `color{Violet}"close contact"` with the infected persons or their belongings should be avoided.



● For diseases such as `color{Violet}"malaria and filariasis"` that are transmitted through `color{Violet}"insect vectors"`, the most important measure is to `color{Violet}"control or eliminate"` the vectors and their breeding places.

● This can be achieved by `color{Violet}"avoiding stagnation"` of water in and around residential areas, `color{Violet}"regular cleaning"` of household coolers, use of `color{Violet}"mosquito nets"`, introducing fishes like `color{Violet}"𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘢"` in ponds that feed on mosquito larvae, spraying of insecticides in ditches, drainage areas and swamps, etc.

● In addition, doors and windows should be `color{Violet}"provided with wire mesh"` to prevent the entry of mosquitoes.

● Such precautions have become all the more important especially in the light of recent widespread incidences of the vector-borne (`color{Violet}"𝘈𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘴 mosquitoes"`) diseases like `color{Violet}"dengue and chikungunya"` in many parts of India.

● The advancements made in `color{Violet}"biological science"` have armed us to effectively deal with many infectious diseases.

● The use of `color{Violet}"vaccines"` and `color{Violet}"immunisation programmes"` have enabled us to completely eradicate a deadly disease like `color{Violet}"smallpox"`.

● A large number of other infectious diseases like `color{Violet}"polio, diphtheria"`, `color{Violet}"pneumonia and tetanus"` have been controlled to a large extent by the use of vaccines.

● `color{Violet}"Biotechnology"` is at the verge of making available newer and safer vaccines.

● Discovery of `color{Violet}"antibiotics"` and various `color{Violet}"other drugs"` has also enabled us to effectively treat infectious diseases.