10 Of The Deadliest Diseases Afflicting Mankind

Human beings, by nature, are an incredibly dangerous breed of animal. Throughout history, we have killed millions upon millions of our own kind, but not nearly as much as the silent killer: disease. Deadly disease spreads and affects humans without reason or mercy. Way back in the 14th century people were dying by the Black Death, today, people are dying from Ebola and worse. So, here are ten of the worst, most deadliest of diseases affecting mankind.

Cholera

Cholera, an infection within the small intestine, is transmitted through drinking water or eating food that contains the feces of an infected individual. Around 5 million are affected each year, and 100,000 die from the disease every year.

Smallpox

While most people tend to get their shots for smallpox at a young age, there are still some countries that are afflicted by the disease. Smallpox has claimed the lives of many, many people, even today. An estimated death toll of around 500 million is in place.

Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever is transmitted by the bite of a female mosquito. This particular disease is mostly found throughout Africa and South America. Millions have died after feeling the fever-like affects, including chills, headache, nausea, and more.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis generally attacks the lungs when it affects someone, which happens when the victim comes in contact with airborne saliva. Nearly one-third of the world currently has some form of tuberculosis.

Influenza

Influenza, commonly known as the common flu, is transmitted in the same manner as tuberculosis. Because the virus can be stopped by soap, frequent hand washing can reduce the risk of an infection.

SARS

SARS, a viral respiratory disease within mankind, last experienced an outbreak in June of 2003. SARS has not yet been eradicated completely, and thus there is a chance it can return to the human population.

Leprosy

Leprosy tends to make its victims social pariahs thanks to the way it deforms the skin. Treatments have been discovered, but many parts of the world still have entire colonies of people suffering from the disease, which does kill.

Measles

Measles is heavily spread through respiration, and 90-percent of people sharing a living space will catch it if an infected individual is nearby. The majority of sufferers survive, but when paired with other problems, such as bronchitis, it can be highly fatal.

HIV

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), is a progressive failure of the human immune system. Life-threatening infections and cancer begin to form and thrive not long after being infected. AIDS has caused over 30 million deaths since being discovered.

Malaria

Malaria, a mosquito-born infectious disease, may cause symptoms most people would see with a fever or headache. Cases progress severely, with coma or death ending up occurring not long after. No vaccine has been discovered as of yet.