Infectious diseases (IDs) kill more people worldwide than any other single cause. Globally, infectious diseases are responsible for more than 25% of all deaths, second only to cardiovascular disease. Millions more individuals are affected by the most common types of infectious diseases which can have both short- and long-term health consequences. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi. The diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another. Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases of animals that can cause disease when transmitted to humans.
The outcome of this certificate program is for the learner to describe basic infection control principles as well as describe how to recognize, treat, and prevent some of the most common (and often deadly) infectious diseases.
