Beginning with the presenting complaints and basics of Infectious Diseases, this course will discuss various infectious diseases. For the convenience of the learners, these infections will be studied under headings including viral infections, bacterial infections, prion diseases, protozoal infections, helminthic infections and fungal infections. And, as already mentioned, the course also discusses Bioterrorism and their related agents. To conclude, this course also deals with the clinical examination of the febrile patient, since, the examination of such a patient is slightly different from other cases.

• 1. Presenting Complaints & Basics of Infectious Diseases   FREE 46 min

  This module contains details on the most common presenting complaints in infectious diseases, which include fever, pyrexia of unknown origin, neutropenic fever, sepsis, diarrhoea, vomiting, blood stream infection, skin rashes, etc. Their clinical assessment, investigations and management will also be discussed. And, to revise your basics, the module also quickly revises a few related terms including incubation period and latent period.

• 2. Viral Infections - Part 1 55 min

  This module begins with the classification of viruses infecting human beings along with an introduction to what a virus actually is. Then, the modus operandi of a viral infection will be discussed. Finally, under this module, systemic viral infections will be discussed which includes Varicella, Shingles, Ebola, Measles, Mumps, Influenza, Parvovirus, Rubella, Herpes Virus, Infectious Mononucleosis, Dengue, Cytomegalovirus and Zika virus.

• 3. Viral Infections - Part 2 19 min

  This module begins with the discussion on localised viral infections, which again has been divided into three - viral infections of respiratory system, viral infections of gastrointestinal tract and viral Infections of skin. After that, this module discusses viral infections with neurological involvement, finally, followed by viral infections with rheumatological involvement.

• 4. Bacterial Infections - Part 1 27 min

  This module discusses bacterial infections of skin and soft tissues with a specific focus on the streptococcal and staphylococcal infections. Next, systemic bacterial infections including Tularaemia, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis, Typhoid and Paratyphoid will be discussed along with their clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment strategy.

• 5. Bacterial Infections - Part 2 40 min

  In this module, which is the second part of the discussion on Bacterial infections, localised bacterial infections will be taken up. So, this module will discuss Gastrointestinal infections, Respiratory bacterial infections, Bacterial infections with neurological involvement, Mycobacterial infections, Rickettsial infections and finally, Chlamydial infections.

• 6. Prion Diseases 15 min

  This module will begin with a quick introduction to Prion proteins and the diseases caused by them. The Prion diseases which will be discussed in detail include Fatal Insomnia, Kuru disease, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS), Variably protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr) and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

• 7. Bioterrorism & Biological Warfare 22 min

  First, this module will discuss the meaning of the terms Bioterrorism and Biological Warfare separately. This will be followed by an understanding of the significance of biological weapons after which the use of these weapons in wars will be discussed along with the origin and evolution of biological warfare. Then, the module explains why nations resort to Bioterrorism. Finally, some of these bioterrorism agents will be discussed.

• 8. Protozoal Infections 46 min

  Beginning with an introduction to Protozoa, this module will then classify protozoal infections into systemic and mucosal. Next will be the detailed study of the life cycle of different protozoa including Plasmodium, Leishmania, Babesia and several others. Finally, there will be a discussion on the infections caused by different protozoa along with their aetiology, clinical presentation, complications, etc.

• 9. Helminthic Infections 39 min

  After an introduction to helminths, this module jumps to the discussion on life cycle of different helminths categorised as annelids, platyhelminths and nematodes. Then, infections caused by different helminths will be discussed in detail.

• 10. Fungal Infections 35 min

  This module introduces learners to what a fungus actually is. Then, the fungal infections will be studied in detail, under three different headings. First will be the superficial fungal infections. Then, deep fungal infections like Chromoblastomycosis and Sporotrichosis. Finally, systemic fungal infections like Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, Blastomycosis, etc. will be discussed.

• 11. Clinical Examination of the Febrile Patient 31 min

  This module covers the clinical examination under four headings. The first topic is a general discussion on fever presenting in cases of Infectious diseases. This will be followed by history taking in such patients. After that, the general physical examination of this patient will be discussed, followed finally by the important investigations in such cases.

Importance : The importance of study of infectious diseases, especially in this era cannot be stressed enough. While the pathogen is a culprit in the occurrence in infectious diseases, there are multiple factors involved. These include climate change, lifestyle changes, etc. Changes in these have led to decreased immunity in the present generation of humans. Given that tackling factors like climate change might take time and combined effort by the global community, we can only expect a surge in these infectious diseases, atleast for the foreseeable future. So, it is extremely important that physicians are made knowledgeable about infectious diseases. And, with that, they can be expected to do their part in easing the suffering of humankind. That is what this course on infectious diseases aims to do.

Beneficiaries: UG/PG Students

Course Benefit : The course deals with all the basic details about Infectious Diseases that a learner needs to know about. These include the presenting complaints, viral infections, bacterial infections, prion diseases, bioterrorism, protozoal infections, helminthic infections, fungal infections along with the clinical examination of patients who present with these infections. The course talks not only about the theoretical aspect of these infections, but also talks about dealing with such patients including their diagnosis and general management. So, this is not only helpful from the academic point of view, but, will also help you learners in your medical practice.