HISTORY OF DISEASES

Contents Table
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................3

Disease’s
definition.......................................................................................................................................4

The black death.............................................................................................................................................5

Cholera..........................................................................................................................................................6

Covid 19.........................................................................................................................................................7

Ebola .............................................................................................................................................................8

Rubella...........................................................................................................................................................9

Smallpox .....................................................................................................................................................10

West Nile River............................................................................................................................................11

Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................1
2
Letter from the Author
I am proud to present my first book. I
recently started researches on Pathology. It made me
excited to start documenting my history of diseases
book. I am a history writer, so hopefully, you ENJOY it.
Jomana. Hisham

Disease: -
A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the
structure or function of all or part of an organism. Diseases are often
medical conditions associated with specific signs and symptoms.
Hundreds of different diseases exist. Each has its own particular set of
symptoms, hints, and clues that enable a physician to diagnose the
problem. A symptom is something a patient can detect, such as high
temp, bleeding, or pain. A sign or hint is something a doctor can
identify, such as a swollen blood vessel or an enlarged internal body
organ.
Part 1
The Black death

The Black Death, also known as the Black Plague,

the Bubonic Plague, or the Plague, was one of the
most devastating pandemics in human history
that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 75 to
200 million people in Eurasia. The plague reached
Europe around October 1347. The bacterium
Yersinia pestis, which results in several forms of
plague, is believed to have been the cause. It was
the first major European outbreak and the second
plague pandemic. The results created a series
of religious, social, and economic upheavals,
which had extreme effects on European history. The black death is believed to have
originated in the dry plains of Central Asia, where it travelled along the Silk Road,
reaching Crimea by 1343. From there, it was most likely carried by fleas living on the
black rats that travelled on all merchant ships, spreading throughout the
Mediterranean Basin and Europe. The black death was estimated to have killed 30%
to 60% of Europe’s population. In total, the plague may have reduced the world
population from an estimated 450 million to 350–375 million in the 14th century. It
took 200 years for the world population to recover to its previous level. The plague
recurred as outbreaks in Europe until the 19th century.

Part 2
Cholera

A bacterium called Vibrio cholerae causes cholera infection.

The deadly effects of the disease are because of a poison
the bacteria produce in the small intestine. It happens when
you swallow food or water contaminated with cholera
bacteria. The sickness is usually mild or without symptoms
but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening. Cholera
spread globally through seven significant pandemics. The
first pandemic occurred out of the Ganges Delta in India.
The seventh pandemic started in South Asia in 1961, reached Africa in 1971 and the
Americas in 1991. Cholera killed millions of all continents. It still exists in Africa,
Southeast Asia, and Haiti. Cholera symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, leg
cramps, restlessness, or irritability. There are many ways to prevent cholera; Peel
your fruits and vegetables before eating, such as bananas, oranges, grapes...Wash
your hands with soap and clean water... Cook food well (especially seafood), keep
it covered and eat it hot.

Part 3
Covid- 19

The current pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

was first reported from Wuhan, China, on December
31, 2019. The International Committee on Taxonomy
of Viruses (ICTV) announced “severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)” as the name of the new virus on February
11, 2020. COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people
will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. Most
common symptoms: high temp, cough, tiredness, loss of taste or smell. Less
common symptoms: sore throat, headache, diarrhea, a rash on the skin,
discoloration of fingers or toes, red or irritated eyes. Severe symptoms: difficulty
breathing or shortness of breath, loss of speech or mobility, confusion, and chest
pain. It takes 5–6 days for symptoms to show. However, it can take up to 14 days.
Current evidence suggests that the virus can spread at a conversational distance
from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough,
sneeze, speak, sing, or breathe.

Part 4
Ebola

Ebola has only affected African countries, But the

virus could mutate to spread more easily between
people, making it a pandemic threat. The virus
spread from animals to humans. There is no specific
medicine to treat Ebola. On May 3, 2021, the DRC
(the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Ministry of Health and WHO (World Health
Organization) declared the end of the Ebola outbreak in North Kivu Province. Ebola
symptoms are Fever, aches or pain, such as severe headache and muscle and joint
pain, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, loss of appetite, and Gastrointestinal
symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
 “Ebola Vaccinations, West Africa”

Part 5
Rubella

Rubella is a contagious disease caused by a virus.

Rubella is caused by a virus that's passed from
person to person. It can spread when an infected
person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by
direct contact with an infected person's
respiratory secretions, such as mucus. It can also
be passed on from pregnant women to their
unborn children via the bloodstream. It was
discovered in the 18th century. Rubella originated from a Latin word meaning "little
red." It is a mild viral infection that occurs most frequently in children and young
adults. Rubella infection in pregnancy may lead to fetal death or congenital rubella
syndrome. Most people who get it have a mild illness, with symptoms that can
include a low-grade fever, sore throat, and a rash that starts on the face and
spreads to the rest of the body. Rubella can be prevented with the MMR vaccine.
This protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella.
Part 6
Smallpox

Smallpox is a contagious, disfiguring and often deadly disease

that has affected humans for thousands of years. Smallpox is
caused by either two variants, Variola major and Variola
minor. Smallpox can cause a severe rash over the body that can
leave scars. One of history's fatal diseases. Smallpox is
estimated to have killed more than 300 million people in just a
year. But a massive global vaccination campaign stopped the
disease in 1977—making it the first disease ever eradicated.
Fever, Overall discomfort, Headache, Severe fatigue, Severe
back pain, and Vomiting are smallpox symptoms. Smallpox's
fever is present for 2 to 4 days before the rash begins. 
Part 7
West Nile River

West Nile virus (WNV) is an infectious disease that first appeared in the United
States in 1999. Infected mosquitoes spread the virus that causes it. People who get
WNV usually have no symptoms or mild symptoms. The symptoms include fever,
headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. They can last a few days
to several weeks and usually go away.
Sincerely,

Jomana.
Hisham