Biological Disease Chart

Disease Germ Germ Symptoms Symptoms Treatment
Anthrax
(Bacterial)
Bacillus anthracis Inhalation: Fever, fatigue, chest pain, difficulty breathing
Skin: Fever, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes and skin ulcer
Gastrointestinal: Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting blood or bloody diarrhea
Antibiotics, if prescribed early


Antibiotics


Antibiotics, if prescribed early

Botulism
(bacterial)
Clostridium botulinum Progressive paralysis, respiratory If given early, equine antitoxin treats most cases
Cholera
(bacterial)
Vibrio cholerae Acute diarrhea, vomiting, leg cramps Immediate replacement of fluids

Antibiotics can shorten course and diminish severity of illness

Hemorrhagic fevers
(viral)
Several viruses Vary by type, but often include fever, headache, dizziness, muscle aches, abnormal bleeding No treatment other than supportive therapies
Pneumonic plague
(bacterial)
Yersinia pestis High fever, chills, headache, cough with bloody sputum Several antibiotics, including streptomycin, tetracycline and chloramphnicol
Q fever
(bacterial)
Coxiella burnetii Fever, headache, weakness severe sweating Doxycycline is most effective when initiated within the first three days
Samonellosis Salmonella Diarrhea, fever, chills, dehydration Usually resolves in 5 to 10 days and does not require treatment in most cases
Smallpox
(viral)
Virola virus High fever, aches (mostly back), rash on arms, legs, palms of hands, soles of feet Vaccination up to four days after exposure; no proven treatment later; antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections
Tularemia
(bacterial)
Francisella tularensis Fever, headache, tiredness, chest discomfort, loss of appetite, cough Antibiotics such as streptomycin or gentiamicin

Source: ready.illinois.gov