Disease is very prevalent in developing countries where health care knowledge may be minimal, sanitation is often poor and resources are scarce. Lack of proper treatment and prevention of diseases can perpetuate the cycle of poverty and devastation among marginalized people. Some of the most prevalent diseases in developing countries are:
Hepatitis B: the most common infectious disease in the world today, affecting approximately 2 billion people worldwide. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that causes symptoms such as nausea, jaundice, vomiting and stomach pain. Chronic infections can cause cirrhosis of the liver.
Malaria: a disease spread by mosquitoes which is the most common in tropical and subtropical climates. Most of its victims are children. Symptoms include shaking and chills, high fever and a severe headache.
HIV/AIDS: a fatal and incurable disease which attacks and destroys the immune system, gradually leaving the individual defenseless against illnesses which lead to death.
Typhoid: is usually spread through infected food or water. Symptoms include a sudden sustained fever, nausea, constipation, severe appetite loss and a headache. It affects millions of people around the world, predominantly in developing countries.
Tuberculosis: causes millions of deaths every year. The TB bacteria is usually found in the lungs, where it can cause a bad cough that brings up bloody phlegm and chest pain. Other symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, chills and fever.