Children's Hospital Colorado
Infectious Diseases

Infectious Diseases

Kids aren’t just mini adults. In fact, they’re incredibly different. That’s why they need incredibly different care.

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What is an infectious disease?

Infectious diseases can range from common illnesses such as the cold, to serious illnesses such as meningitis or AIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an infectious disease is caused by one or more of the following: 

  • Viruses
  • Bacteria  
  • Parasites 
  • Fungi  

What causes infectious diseases?

Depending on the disease-causing organism, an infection can spread in some or all of the following ways: 

  • Airborne transmission: transmission of an infection through inhaling airborne droplets of the disease, which may exist in the air as a result of a cough or sneeze from an infected person
  • Blood-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through contact with infected blood, such as when sharing hypodermic needles
  • Direct skin contact: transmission of an infection through contact with the skin of an infected person
  • Insect-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through insects such as mosquitoes that draw blood from an infected person and then bite a healthy person
  • Food-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through consuming contaminated food 
  • Water-borne transmission: transmission of an infection through contact with contaminated water
  • Sexual transmission: transmission of an infection through sexual contact, including intercourse

What you need to know about COVID-19

From mental health resources to the latest on the COVID vaccines, we've compiled information families need to help kids through the pandemic.

Learn the latest

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Get to know our pediatric experts.

Sean Oleary, MD

Sean Oleary, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Patient ratings and reviews are not available Why?

Edwin Asturias, MD

Edwin Asturias, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric

Patient ratings and reviews are not available Why?

Chris Nyquist, MD

Chris Nyquist, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Patient ratings and reviews are not available Why?

Kevin Messacar, MD

Kevin Messacar, MD

Infectious Disease - Pediatric, Pediatrics

Patient ratings and reviews are not available Why?