Diphtheria Droplet Precautions Contact Precautions Diphtheria is an acute, highly contagious, toxin-mediated infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a gram-positive rod that usually infects the respiratory tract, primarily the tonsils, nasopharynx,…
Dermatophytosis Dermatophytosis (tinea) is a group of superficial fungal infections usually classified according to their anatomic location. Dermatophytosis may affect the scalp (tinea capitis), the bearded skin of the face…
Dengue Fever Dengue fever, a virus that causes flu-like symptoms, is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. The incubation period is generally 5 to 10 days. Dengue fever…
Cytomegalovirus Infection Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is caused by the cytomegalovirus, a deoxyribonucleic acid, ether-sensitive virus belonging to the herpes family. Also known as generalized salivary gland disease, CMV infection occurs…
Cyclospora Cayetanensis Infection C. cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite from the phylum Apicomplexa, a group of organisms closely related to pathogens that affect birds. These parasites cause a GI infection…
Cryptosporidiosis Contact Precautions Cryptosporidiosis, also known as “crypto,” is a highly contagious intestinal infection that typically results in acute, self-limiting diarrhea. However, in immunocompromised patients—who contract it more often—cryptosporidiosis causes…
Cryptococcosis Cryptococcosis, also called torulosis or European blastomycosis, is caused by a fungus—usually Cryptococcus neoformans—that is found in soil and bird droppings. C. gattii, another species, less commonly causes symptoms…
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, rapidly progressive viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, causing dementia and such neurologic signs and symptoms as myoclonic jerking, ataxia,…
Coxsackievirus Infection Contact Precautions Coxsackieviruses, members of the Enterovirus family, are divided into two groups, type A and type B. Type A viruses cause hand, foot, and mouth disease and…
