Common Communicable Diseases: Disease Causative Microorganism Incubation Period Key Signs/Symptoms Prevention Treatment Tuberculosis (TB) Mycobacterium tuberculosis 2–12 weeks Chronic cough, hemoptysis, weight loss, night sweats, fever BCG vaccine, early diagnosis, wearing masks Antitubercular drugs (e.g., isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide) HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Weeks to years (varies) Fever, weight loss, recurrent infections, opportunistic infections Safe sex practices, screening blood products, use of ART in exposed individuals Antiretroviral therapy (ART) Malaria