What Are Infectious Diseases?
Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These diseases can spread directly from person to person, through contaminated food or water, via insects or animals, or from environmental exposure.
Some infectious diseases are mild and self-limiting, while others can cause severe complications, long-term health issues, or death if left untreated.
At BioResearch Partner, we recognize the urgent need to address both common and emerging infectious diseases. Through clinical research, patient partnerships, and collaboration with sponsors, we aim to accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments.
Why Infectious Diseases Remain a Global Health Priority
Despite medical advances, infectious diseases remain a leading cause of illness and death worldwide.
Key Challenges Include:
- Antibiotic resistance, making bacterial infections harder to treat.
- Emerging pathogens, such as COVID-19, Ebola, and Zika virus.
- Globalization, which allows diseases to spread rapidly across borders.
- Climate change, expanding the range of vector-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue.
- Vaccine hesitancy, which undermines herd immunity and leads to outbreaks.
By supporting infectious disease research, we help bring innovative therapies to patients faster and provide physicians with more tools to fight these illnesses.
Common Infectious Diseases Under Study
Infectious disease research covers a broad spectrum of conditions, ranging from seasonal viruses to life-threatening pathogens.
Examples include:
- Respiratory infections – influenza, COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia, tuberculosis.
- Childhood diseases – measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis.
- Vector-borne diseases – malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, dengue fever.
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – HIV, HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia.
- Gastrointestinal infections – norovirus, rotavirus, hepatitis A and E, bacterial foodborne illness.
- Fungal infections – candidiasis, cryptococcosis, aspergillosis.
- Hospital-acquired infections – MRSA, C. difficile, bloodstream infections.
Each of these areas presents unique challenges and requires targeted research strategies.
Children typically receive multiple vaccines throughout infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Many are given in combination to reduce the number of shots.
Key Pediatric Vaccines Include:
- Hepatitis B (HepB) – protects against liver infection.
- Rotavirus (RV) – prevents severe diarrhea and dehydration in infants.
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap) – protects against life-threatening bacterial infections.
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) – prevents meningitis, pneumonia, and throat infections.
- Polio (IPV) – protects against paralysis-causing poliovirus.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) – prevents three viral illnesses with severe complications.
- Varicella (chickenpox) – reduces risk of severe skin and neurological complications.
- Pneumococcal (PCV13/PCV15) – prevents meningitis, pneumonia, and ear infections.
- Influenza vaccine (annual flu shot) – reduces seasonal flu complications.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – prevents cervical and other cancers.
- COVID-19 vaccines – protect children against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
Following the CDC’s recommended vaccination schedule ensures children are protected at the right ages for maximum effectiveness.
