The most terrible epidemic in human history have carried out hundreds of millions of lives, sometimes wiping out entire nations. Here is a list of the 10 most dangerous diseases known and with whom we had ever encountered.
Typhus.
One of the most dangerous diseases caused by the bacterium rickettsia. The name comes from the Greek typhos, which means "smoky or foggy." The first reliable description of the disease dates back to the Spanish siege of Moorish Granada in 1489. These records include descriptions of fever and red spots on the arms, back and chest, progressing to delirium, unproductive wounds and stench of rotting flesh. During that siege, the Spaniards lost in the 3000 military clashes of men, but even 17,000 died of typhus. Epidemics occurred throughout Europe from the XVI to the XIX centuries, as well as during the English Civil War, the Thirty Years War and the Napoleonic Wars. Only during the Thirty Years' War, 1618 - 1648's, about 8 million Germans were decimated by fever bubonic plague and typhus. During Napoleon's retreat from Moscow in 1812, more French soldiers died of typhus than were killed by Russian troops.
Cholera.
One of the most dangerous diseases that cause serious epidemics. In its most severe form, cholera can be fatal. If you do not provide assistance for three hours, the infected person can die. Symptoms - diarrhea, shock, bleeding from the nose, leg cramps, vomiting, and dry skin. The first cholera outbreak was registered in Bengal, and from there spread to India, China, Indonesia and the Caspian Sea.When the pandemic finally ended in 1826, in India alone, there were over 15 million deaths. Oral rehydration therapy and antibiotics are now successfully cure this disease.
Smallpox.
Smallpox is believed to infect humans start as early as 10,000 BC. e. However, serious smallpox epidemic began much later. In England during the XVIII century, this disease kills approximately 400,000 people every year and caused a lot of cases of blindness. The main symptom - flash small ulcers all over the body. Other symptoms include vomiting, back pain, fever, and headache. The earliest symptom of smallpox was discovered in ancient Egyptian mummies. It is believed that the Egyptian traders brought the disease in India, where it remained for 2,000 years.After successful vaccination campaigns during the 19's and 20's centuries, it was announced the destruction of smallpox in December 1979. To date, smallpox - the only human infectious disease that was completely destroyed.
Spanish flu pandemic (Spanish flu).
The 1918 influenza pandemic has spread almost all over the world. The epidemic was caused by an unusually dangerous and deadly influenza virus subtype H1N1.Historical and epidemiological data do not allow us to determine the geographic origin of the virus. Most of its victims were healthy young adults and, in contrast to most influenza outbreaks, which predominantly affect children, the elderly or debilitated patients. The pandemic lasted from March 1918 to June 1920, spreading even to the Arctic and remote Pacific islands. It is estimated that between 20 and 100 million people were killed worldwide - the approximate equivalent of one-third of Europe's population. Interestingly, the Spanish flu comes from the same subtype (H1N1), as the Swine Flu.
Yellow fever.
Symptoms of yellow fever - fever, chills, slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting and constipation. It is estimated that this disease causes about 30,000 deaths each year if people are not vaccinated. Known outbreak of yellow fever was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1793. The disease killed as many as 10 000 people in Philadelphia alone. Most of the population fled the city, including the president.But the mayor was, and the life of the city was soon restored.
The Ebola virus.
Many have heard about the disease, but not all are well aware of where and when it appeared that it represents, and what it all dangerous? Ebola haemorrhagic fever is named after the Ebola River, where there was her first recognized outbreak. The Ebola virus first appeared in 1976 in Zaire and remained uncertain until 1989, with the outbreak in Reston, Virginia. It was confirmed that a dangerous disease is transmitted through body fluids, but can be transmitted through simple interaction with the patient. In the early stages of Ebola may not be highly contagious. Contact someone in the early stages may not even transmit the disease. At that time, as the disease progresses, bodily fluids from diarrhea, vomiting, and bleeding is extremely infectious. Due to lack of proper equipment and hygienic practices, large-scale epidemics occur mostly in poor, isolated areas without modern hospitals or educated medical staff.
Malaria.
Symptoms of malaria include anemia, fever, cold, and even coma or death. The disease is usually spread when a person is bitten by Anopheles mosquitoes, which contracted the infection from another person. Malaria is much less "raspiarili" in the media, in contrast to the Ebola virus, but is much more dangerous. Every year around the world there is about 400 million cases of malaria, killing millions of people. This disease - one of the most common infectious diseases and very serious problem. Currently, no vaccine is likely to help with the full save the patient, but are constantly developing.
Tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis caused the most widespread public concern in the XIX and early XX centuries, as a local disease of the urban poor. In 1815, every fourth fatal case in England was associated with TB. By 1918 one in six deaths in France were still caused by the disease. In XX century, tuberculosis killed an estimated 100 million people. This is often a fatal disease that affects the lungs. The symptoms - cough, weight loss, night sweats, and spit blood. Skeletal remains indicate that people have in 7000 BC. e. They have been infected with tuberculosis.
Poliomyelitis.
Polio is highly contagious. It is a disease that affects the central nervous system and spine, sometimes leaves the victim paralyzed. Symptoms - headache, neck, back and abdominal pain, vomiting, fever and irritability. In 1952 outbreak in the United States led to a paralyzed 20,000 children and more than 3,000 dead. Since the vaccine was created, and is protected by the majority of children.
Bubonic plague.
Swollen lymph glands, reddened, and then blackened skin, labored breathing, rotting limbs, vomiting blood and a terrible pain - these are just some signs of bubonic plague. The pain is caused by rotting flesh and decay. The disease has claimed more than 200 million lives. Perhaps the most famous and terrible pandemic was in Europe in the late 1300s. Plague then called not only as "Black Death." In those, the plague almost halved the entire population of Europe.Bubonic plague is usually caused by the bite of an infected flea. Today, there are several vaccines that cure people, but once it was the most dangerous and terrible disease of all.
