We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases

Understanding how pathogens cause infections and how infectious diseases are transmitted is crucial for preventing and controlling the spread of illnesses.

In this course, you will learn how diseases like the common flu spread, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, the body's defence mechanisms, and the importance of immunization.

Understanding how pathogens cause infections and how infectious diseases are transmitted is crucial for preventing and controlling the spread of illnesses.

In this course, you will learn how diseases like the common flu spread, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, the body's defence mechanisms, and the importance of immunization.

You will understand what pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites are and discover how antibiotics work. You will then explore what causes resistance to antibiotics, a significant and growing problem worldwide, as it can make the treatment of bacterial infections more challenging and, in some cases, ineffective.

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs working together to defend the body against harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other pathogens. The course will help you understand the immune system's main components and how the innate and adaptive immune responses fight invading pathogens. You will explore immunisation and how it triggers the immune system to remember pathogens.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Infectious diseases

Welcome to the Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases course. This course explores infectious diseases, how they are transmitted and how they can be treated.

The immune system

This week you will explore how the human body fights infections and how immunisation has reduced the occurrence of common infectious diseases.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores infectious diseases, which are highly relevant to the medical field

Taught by Andrew Kirby, a recognized expert in infectious diseases

Teaches fundamental concepts like the immune system and immunization, which are core skills for healthcare professionals

Covers a broad range of topics, including the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance and the importance of immunization

Part of a series of other courses, indicating a comprehensive study of infectious diseases

Assumes no prior knowledge, making it accessible to students new to the subject

Save this course

Save Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases with these activities:

Read "Microbiology" by Prescott and Willey

Show steps

Gain a comprehensive understanding of microbiology, including the fundamental concepts of infectious diseases and bacterial mechanisms, to build a strong foundation for the course.

View Microbiology on Amazon

Show steps

Read the assigned chapters thoroughly, focusing on key concepts and mechanisms.
Summarize the main points of each chapter in your own words.
Make notes on any unfamiliar terms or concepts for further research.

Seek guidance from an experienced healthcare professional

Show steps

Connect with professionals to gain insights, ask questions, and receive support in understanding infectious diseases and public health.

Show steps

Identify healthcare professionals in your field of interest.
Reach out to them via email or LinkedIn.
Explain your goals and seek their guidance.

Read CDC articles on infectious diseases

Show steps

Refreshes knowledge on infectious diseases, their transmission, and causative agents.

Browse courses on Infectious Diseases

Show steps

Visit the CDC website
Browse articles related to infectious diseases
Read and understand the information provided

Seven other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all ten activities

Participate in a local health outreach program

Show steps

Gain practical experience and contribute to public health efforts by volunteering in a related program.

Show steps

Research local health outreach programs.
Identify an organization that aligns with your interests.
Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend and actively participate in the volunteer program.

Discuss the immune system's response to pathogens

Show steps

Strengthens understanding of the immune system's mechanisms and enhances critical thinking.

Browse courses on Immune System

Show steps

Form a study group with peers
Review course materials on immune system response
Engage in discussions and debates

Solve practice problems on bacterial resistance

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of bacterial resistance mechanisms and their implications for infectious disease treatment.

Browse courses on Bacterial Resistance

Show steps

Attempt the practice problems independently.
Compare your answers with the provided solutions.
Review the concepts related to the problems you struggled with.

Develop a visual representation of the immune system

Show steps

Deepen your comprehension of the immune system's components and functions by creating a visual representation.

Browse courses on Innate Immune Response

Show steps

Research the different components of the immune system.
Choose a visual format for your representation, such as a diagram, flowchart, or infographic.
Create your visual representation, clearly illustrating the components and interactions.
Review your representation to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Develop a data visualization on infectious disease trends

Show steps

Enhance your data analysis and visualization skills while exploring real-world data on infectious disease trends.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

Show steps

Gather data on infectious disease trends from reliable sources.
Choose a suitable data visualization tool.
Create a compelling data visualization that effectively conveys the trends.
Summarize your findings and insights from the visualization.

Create a presentation on a specific infectious disease

Show steps

Solidifies understanding by requiring students to synthesize and present information.

Browse courses on Infectious Diseases

Show steps

Choose an infectious disease to focus on
Research the disease, its transmission, and treatment
Create a presentation using slides or other visual aids
Practice presenting the information clearly and concisely

Design a public health campaign on immunization

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of immunization and infectious disease prevention to create a practical campaign that promotes public health.

Browse courses on Immunization

Show steps

Identify the target audience and objectives of your campaign.
Research effective public health campaign strategies.
Develop creative materials, such as posters, brochures, or social media content.
Implement your campaign and track its impact.

Career center

Learners who complete Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Health Educator

Health educators teach people about health and disease prevention. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in teaching about infectious diseases to the public. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for health educators to understand the scientific basis of infectious diseases and to teach the public about them in a clear and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and other health problems in populations. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in understanding how infectious diseases are transmitted and how they can be controlled. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for epidemiologists to understand the spread of infectious diseases and to develop effective strategies to prevent and control them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Immunologist

Immunologists study the immune system, which is the body's defense system against infection. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in understanding how the immune system works and how it can be manipulated to fight infectious diseases. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for immunologists to develop new treatments for infectious diseases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Immunologist

Virologist

Virologists study viruses, which are the smallest and simplest type of infectious agent. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in understanding how viruses cause disease and how they can be treated. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for virologists to understand the biology of viruses and to develop new treatments for viral infections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virologist

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work to prevent and control the spread of disease in communities. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in learning about the role of public health in preventing and controlling infectious diseases. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for public health nurses to develop and implement effective public health interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Infectious Disease Physician

Infectious disease physicians diagnose and treat patients with infectious diseases. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in learning about the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for infectious disease physicians to provide the best possible care for their patients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infectious Disease Physician

Science Teacher

Science teachers teach science to students in primary and secondary schools. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in teaching about infectious diseases to students. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for science teachers to understand the scientific basis of infectious diseases and to teach students about them in a clear and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Teacher

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in understanding how infectious diseases are caused and how they can be treated. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for microbiologists to understand the biology of infectious diseases and to develop new treatments for them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Medical Writer

Medical writers write about medical topics for a variety of audiences, including patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in learning about the medical writing process and how it can be used to communicate information about infectious diseases to the public. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for medical writers to understand the scientific basis of the topics they are writing about and to communicate information about infectious diseases clearly and准确ly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical research associates work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to design and conduct clinical trials of new drugs and treatments for infectious diseases. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in learning about the process of clinical research and how it can be used to develop new treatments for infectious diseases. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for clinical research associates to understand the scientific basis of clinical trials and to work effectively with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical sales representatives sell drugs and other medical products to doctors and other healthcare professionals. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in learning about the pharmaceutical industry and how it can be used to develop new treatments for infectious diseases. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for pharmaceutical sales representatives to understand the scientific basis of the products they are selling and to work effectively with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Science Writer

Science writers write about science for a variety of audiences, including the general public, scientists, and policymakers. This course would be particularly useful for those interested in writing about infectious diseases for the public. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge would be essential for science writers to understand the scientific basis of infectious diseases and to communicate information about them to the public in a clear and engaging way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues. This course may be useful for those interested in analyzing public policy related to infectious diseases. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge may be helpful for policy analysts to understand the scientific basis of infectious diseases and to develop effective public policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians use statistical methods to solve problems in biology and medicine. This course may be useful for those interested in using statistical methods to study infectious diseases. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge may be helpful for biostatisticians to understand the scientific basis of infectious diseases and to develop effective statistical methods for studying them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare consultants advise healthcare organizations on how to improve their operations. This course may be useful for those interested in consulting on infectious disease prevention and control. The course covers topics such as the immune system, the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance, and the importance of immunization. This knowledge may be helpful for healthcare consultants to understand the scientific basis of infectious diseases and to develop effective consulting strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases.

Medical Microbiology

Save

This comprehensive textbook covers all aspects of medical microbiology, providing a solid foundation in the field. It is particularly useful as a reference for healthcare professionals and students.

Transmitting and Fighting Infectious Diseases

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses