Healthy
Charles County

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by germs too small to see, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi; that enter the body cause infection or sever illness and can result in hospitalization or death.

Infectious diseases can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another or carried in the air, water, food, or soil.

Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that are spread between animals and humans; some examples include Lyme disease and rabies.

Prevent the spread of disease

Wash your hands often throughout the day. Hand washing is the best way to remove germs to prevent illness and the spread of germs.

Click here to learn more about hand washing.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can Spread this way.  Cover your cough.  Cough or sneeze into your elbow.  Germs can spread when you cough or sneeze into your hands or when you cough or sneeze close to or on someone.

What we do:

The Infectious Disease Program monitors, investigates, responds, and reports reportable infectious diseases and conditions of Maryland regulation (0.06.01.04 and Maryland Code Annotated, Health-General (H-G) §§ 18-201, 18-202, and 18-205). The program works in coordination with health care providers, hospitals, long term care and assisted living facilities, laboratories, dialysis centers, schools, day cares, and citizens reporting illness assuring appropriate infection prevention and control of infectious diseases.

Outbreak Investigation responds quickly when certain symptoms or lab results increase in the community including nursing homes or assisted living facilities, hospitals, schools, day cares, food service facilities, as well as citizens reporting increased illness. The infectious disease program provides infection control guidance to limit the spread and duration of illness. The goal of outbreak response is to limit the number of ill people and the number of missed days from day care, school and work.

Diseases, Conditions, Outbreaks, & Unusual Manifestations Reportable by Maryland Health Care Providers