Infectious diseases are seen by many people to be a thing of the past - or at least something which was only common in an age where people lived in close proximity to each other or in cramped conditions. But such diseases are certainly not a thing of the past: in fact, many people are still affected by conditions which are passed from person to person, via aerosol transmission or other means.
And there's also evidence to suggest that some infectious diseases affect young adults in particular. Sexually transmitted diseases, for example, are among some of the most common diseases to affect younger people - while others, such as typhoid fever, can also hit young people the hardest. This article will explore the infectious disease problems facing young adults and how scientists and microbiologists are attempting to tackle them.
Sexually transmitted diseases
While the perception that the younger generation is participating in higher rates of promiscuous sex than other generations is something of a stereotype (and one that is sometimes somewhat exaggerated in the media and elsewhere), both anecdotal and rigorous evidence suggests that it is true to some extent. Sexually transmitted diseases are particularly common among young adults: the STI chlamydia, for example, mostly affects people in the US aged between 15 and 24.
There are several ways in which young adults who are at risk of suffering from chlamydia or a similar disease can protect themselves against it. Using strong contraception, and particularly condoms, is one way to do it: they can act as a barrier against some, although not all, STDs. Some people promote abstinence, although it is unclear whether or not this has had the desired effect of reducing the incidence and frequency of sexually transmitted infections. And on a societal level, all people - and especially those who are educators or in positions of power over young people - can ensure that they promote messages of safe sex at every relevant opportunity to begin to tackle the problems.
Brain conditions
The brain may not be the first place a person would think of it when it comes to the site of infectious diseases - although it's true to say that it can in some circumstances be a hotbed for such issues. Researchers and microbiologists including Amy Yasko have devoted their careers to attempting to work out the relative role of infection in the development of brain conditions - and while the jury is still out on some aspects of answering the question, there are some insights available.
Young adults are often able to withstand some of the most difficult brain conditions given the relative youth and good health of their body. But there are plenty of infectious brain conditions which young people can be affected by, and none would want to put this risk to the test. Meningitis is one of the most common: while this can hit very young children it can also affect teenagers and those that are a little older. This infection causes the brain or the spine to become infected and can lead to all kinds of other knock-on infections including Encephalitis.
Water-borne diseases
In some parts of the world, young adults may find themselves at risk of contracting what is known as a "water-borne" disease. These diseases come from water which has been infected at some point in its journey from the source to where it is consumed: some of the most well-known in less-developed parts of the world include cholera, while others such as typhoid and dysentery are also relatively common.
In many cases, there is a particular risk posed to younger people - including children, teenagers, and younger adults. According to the UK's NHS, for example, typhoid fever is most likely to occur in children when worldwide figures are taken into account. The reasons for this are not known, but it's assumed that the relatively lower level of immune system development could play a role. For young adults, however, the symptoms of typhoid fever may be less likely to occur - but if they do occur, they are likely to be worse.
Although young people generally tend to have health on their side in a way that some older adults can only dream of, it's the case that some illnesses and health conditions particularly target young people. From so-called "lifestyle diseases" such as STDs to well-known conditions such as meningitis, there are lots of infectious diseases out there which can cause pain, illness, and problems for young adults. By engaging with medical advancements and looking out for their health, young people can ensure that they don't let these diseases hold them back as they go through life.
