Disease Pathogen Signs and Symptoms Transmission Antimicrobial Drugs

Comedones (whiteheads, Not transmissible; clogged

blackheads); papules, pores become infected by
Acne Propionibacterium acnes Erythromycin, clindamycin
pustules, nodules, or normal skin microbiota (P.
pseudocysts acnes)

Eschar at site of infection; Entry of B.

Penicillin, erythromycin, or
Anthrax (cutaneous) Bacillus anthracis may lead to septicemia and anthracis endospores
tetracycline
can be fatal through cut or abrasion

Localized inflammation of
Entry of S.
dermis and hypodermis; skin Oral or intravenous
Cellulitis Streptococcus pyogenes pyogenes through cut or
red, warm, and painful to the antibiotics (e.g., penicillin)
abrasion
touch

Inflamed, swollen patch of Entry of S.

Oral or intravenous
Erysipelas S. pyogenes skin, often on face; may be pyogenes through cut or
antibiotics (e.g., penicillin)
suppurative abrasion

Small red nodules, often Associated with other None or anti-inflammatory

Erythema nodosum S. pyogenes
on shins streptococcal infection drugs for severe cases

Vesicles, pustules, and

Staphylococcus aureus, S. Highly contagious,
Impetigo sometimes bullae around Topical or oral antibiotics
pyogenes especially via contact
nose and mouth
Infection of fascia and
S.
rapidly spreading tissue Entry of bacteria through Intravenous broad-
Necrotizing fasciitis pyogenes, Klebsiella, Clostridium
death; can lead to septic cut or abrasion spectrum antibiotics
, others
shock and death

Itching, redness,
Acidic ear drops with
discomfort of ear canal, P. aeruginosa enters ear
Otitis externa Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotics, antifungals,
progressing to fever, pain, canal via pool or other water
steroids
swelling
 Infection of skin and
Staphylococcal scalded Erythema and severe Intravenous antibiotics,
S. aureus mucous membranes,
skin syndrome (SSSS) peeling of skin fluid therapy
especially in children

Exposure of wound to Polymyxin B, gentamicin,

Formation of biofilm in or
Wound infections P. aeruginosa, others microbes in environment; fluoroquinolones, topical anti-
on wound
poor wound hygiene biofilm agents

         
Disease Pathogen Signs and Symptoms Transmission Antimicrobial Drugs
May have initial cold-like Highly contagious via
Fifth disease Parvovirus B19 symptoms; “slapped cheek” respiratory secretions of None
rash infected individuals

Inflammation of Direct eye contact with

conjunctiva and cornea; discharge from herpes lesions
Acyclovir, ganciclovir,
Herpes keratitis Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) irritation, excess tears, elsewhere in the body or
famiclovir, valacyclovir
sensitivity to light; lesions in from another infected
cornea leading to blindness individual

Highly contagious via direct

May cause initial systemic Acyclovir, penciclovir,
Oral herpes Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) contact with infected
symptoms; cold sores famiclovir, valacyclovir
individuals
Common warts, plantar
Contact with infected Topical salicylic acid,
Papillomas Human papillomavirus (HPV) warts, flat warts, filiform
individuals cantharidin
warts, and others

Initial cold-like symptoms

Spread by viral and Typically none; ganciclovir
Roseola (roseola infantum, Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), with high fever, followed by
respiratory secretions of for immunocompromised
exanthem subitum) human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) a macular rash three to five
infected individuals patients
days later