Common Communicable Diseases:

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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	Plasmodium species (e.g., P. falciparum, P. vivax)	7–30 days	Fever with chills, sweats, headache, muscle aches, anemia	Insecticide-treated nets, indoor spraying, prophylactic antimalarials	Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT)
Dengue Fever	Dengue virus (Flavivirus)	4–10 days	High fever, severe headache, retro-orbital pain, joint/muscle pain, rash	Prevent mosquito breeding, use repellents, wear protective clothing	Supportive care (hydration, pain relief); no specific antiviral available
Measles	Measles virus	10–14 days	Fever, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, Koplik spots, maculopapular rash	Measles vaccine (MMR), herd immunity	Supportive care (hydration, antipyretics); Vitamin A supplementation
Influenza (Flu)	Influenza virus	1–4 days	Fever, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, fatigue	Annual flu vaccination, good hygiene (handwashing, respiratory etiquette)	Antiviral drugs (oseltamivir, zanamivir), supportive care
Hepatitis A	Hepatitis A virus (HAV)	15–50 days	Fever, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice	Hepatitis A vaccine, safe drinking water, proper food handling	Supportive care (hydration, rest); no specific antiviral
Hepatitis B	Hepatitis B virus (HBV)	4–6 weeks	Jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain	Hepatitis B vaccine, safe injection practices, screening blood donors	Antiviral drugs (tenofovir, entecavir), supportive care
Cholera	Vibrio cholerae	Hours to 5 days	Profuse watery diarrhea (“rice water stools”), dehydration, muscle cramps	Safe water supply, proper sanitation, oral cholera vaccine	Oral rehydration therapy (ORT), intravenous fluids, antibiotics (doxycycline, azithromycin)
Typhoid Fever	Salmonella Typhi	6–30 days	Prolonged fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea/constipation, rose spots on abdomen	Typhoid vaccine, safe food and water handling, hand hygiene	Antibiotics (azithromycin, ceftriaxone), hydration, supportive care
Mumps	Mumps virus	16–18 days	Swelling of parotid glands, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue	Mumps vaccine (MMR), avoiding close contact with infected individuals	Supportive care (hydration, pain relief); no specific antiviral
Polio	Poliovirus	7–21 days	Fever, sore throat, headache, stiffness of neck/back, paralysis in severe cases	Oral polio vaccine (OPV), proper sanitation	Supportive care (physical therapy, ventilator support); no cure
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)	Bordetella pertussis	7–10 days	Severe coughing spells, inspiratory whoop, vomiting after coughing	DTaP vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), isolating infected individuals	Antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin), supportive care
Tetanus	Clostridium tetani	3–21 days	Muscle stiffness, lockjaw, painful muscle spasms	Tetanus vaccine, proper wound care, prophylactic tetanus immunoglobulin	Tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG), antibiotics (metronidazole), muscle relaxants
Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)	Mycobacterium leprae	6 months to several years	Skin lesions, numbness, muscle weakness, peripheral nerve involvement	Early detection, education on hygiene, prophylaxis in close contacts	Multi-drug therapy (MDT): dapsone, rifampicin, clofazimine

Key Points for Competitive Exams:

• Causative Agent: Know the exact pathogen (bacteria, virus, protozoa).
• Incubation Period: Memorize the average time from exposure to symptoms.
• Key Signs/Symptoms: Focus on hallmark clinical features.
• Prevention: Vaccines, hygiene, safe water/food practices, vector control.
• Treatment: First-line drugs, supportive therapies, and global recommendations.

Comprehensive List of Communicable Diseases

1. Viral Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Rabies	Rabies virus (Rhabdovirus)	2–8 weeks (varies)	Hydrophobia, Aerophobia, Agitation, Convulsions, Respiratory paralysis	Pre-exposure vaccine, Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after bite	Rabies vaccine, Rabies immunoglobulin (RIG)
Yellow Fever	Yellow fever virus (Flavivirus)	3–6 days	Fever, Jaundice, Bleeding, Hepatic & Renal failure	Yellow Fever vaccine, Mosquito control	Supportive care (fluids, pain management)
Chikungunya	Chikungunya virus (Alphavirus)	2–12 days	High fever, Severe joint pain, Rash	Mosquito control, Personal protection	Supportive care (hydration, painkillers)
Japanese Encephalitis (JE)	Japanese Encephalitis virus (Flavivirus)	5–15 days	Fever, Headache, Seizures, Neurological damage	JE vaccine, Mosquito control	Supportive care (seizure management)
Rotavirus Infection	Rotavirus	1–3 days	Severe watery diarrhea, Vomiting, Dehydration	Rotavirus vaccine, Hand hygiene	ORS, IV fluids
Smallpox (Eradicated)	Variola virus	7–17 days	High fever, Pustular rash, Scarring	Eradicated via Smallpox vaccine	No treatment needed (disease eradicated)
Zika Virus Infection	Zika virus (Flavivirus)	3–14 days	Mild fever, Rash, Conjunctivitis, Birth defects (if in pregnancy)	Mosquito control, Safe sex practices	Supportive care

2. Bacterial Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Diphtheria	Corynebacterium diphtheriae	2–5 days	Pseudomembrane formation in throat, Respiratory distress	DTP vaccine, Isolation of cases	Diphtheria antitoxin, Antibiotics (Penicillin, Erythromycin)
Meningococcal Meningitis	Neisseria meningitidis	2–10 days	Stiff neck, Severe headache, Photophobia, Fever, Petechial rash	Meningococcal vaccine, Prophylactic antibiotics for contacts	IV Antibiotics (Ceftriaxone, Penicillin)
Gonorrhea	Neisseria gonorrhoeae	2–14 days	Urethritis, Painful urination, Genital discharge	Safe sex practices, Screening & early treatment	Antibiotics (Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin)
Syphilis	Treponema pallidum	10–90 days	Chancre (Primary stage), Rash (Secondary), Neurological symptoms (Tertiary)	Safe sex, Screening during pregnancy	Penicillin injection
Brucellosis	Brucella spp.	5–60 days	Fever, Joint pain, Muscle aches	Pasteurization of milk, Safe handling of livestock	Antibiotics (Doxycycline + Rifampin)
Plague	Yersinia pestis	2–6 days	Buboes (swollen lymph nodes), Septicemia, Pneumonia	Rodent control, Flea control	Streptomycin, Tetracycline, Doxycycline
Leptospirosis	Leptospira interrogans	2–30 days	High fever, Muscle pain, Conjunctival redness, Kidney & Liver damage	Avoid contaminated water, Protective clothing	Doxycycline, Penicillin

3. Protozoal Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Amoebiasis (Amoebic Dysentery)	Entamoeba histolytica	2–4 weeks	Bloody diarrhea, Abdominal cramps	Safe drinking water, Proper sanitation	Metronidazole
Kala-Azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)	Leishmania donovani	2–6 months	Fever, Hepatosplenomegaly, Anemia	Insect repellent, Sandfly control	Amphotericin B, Miltefosine
Trichomoniasis	Trichomonas vaginalis	5–28 days	Vaginal discharge, Itching, Burning sensation	Safe sex practices, Early diagnosis	Metronidazole

4. Fungal Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Candidiasis (Thrush, Vaginal Yeast Infection)	Candida albicans	Varies	White patches in mouth, Itching, Genital discharge	Good hygiene, Avoid excessive antibiotic use	Antifungals (Fluconazole, Clotrimazole)
Ringworm (Dermatophytosis)	Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton	4–14 days	Circular red itchy patches on skin	Avoid contaminated surfaces, Good hygiene	Antifungal creams (Clotrimazole, Terbinafine)
Histoplasmosis	Histoplasma capsulatum	3–17 days	Respiratory symptoms, Fever, Fatigue	Avoid bat/bird droppings	Amphotericin B

5. Helminthic (Parasitic Worm) Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Ascariasis	Ascaris lumbricoides	2–8 weeks	Abdominal pain, Worms in stool, Malnutrition	Proper sanitation, Handwashing	Albendazole, Mebendazole
Filariasis (Elephantiasis)	Wuchereria bancrofti	3–12 months	Swelling of limbs, Lymphatic obstruction	Mosquito control	Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), Ivermectin
Taeniasis (Tapeworm Infection)	Taenia solium, Taenia saginata	8–14 weeks	Mild GI symptoms, Cysticercosis (in brain)	Properly cooked meat	Praziquantel

Key

✅ Rabies, Yellow Fever, Zika = Mosquito or animal-borne viral infections.
✅ Typhoid, Cholera, Amoebiasis = Waterborne bacterial & protozoal infections.
✅ TB, Leprosy, Syphilis = Chronic bacterial diseases.
✅ Plague, Leptospirosis, Brucellosis = Zoonotic bacterial infections.
✅ Filariasis, Taeniasis = Helminthic parasitic infections.

Communicable Diseases –

1. Additional Viral Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Ebola Virus Disease	Ebola virus	2–21 days	High fever, severe bleeding, organ failure	Avoid contact with infected individuals, PPE for healthcare workers	Supportive care, Experimental antivirals
Marburg Virus Disease	Marburg virus	2–21 days	Hemorrhagic fever, multiple organ failure	Infection control, PPE use	Supportive care
Lassa Fever	Lassa virus	6–21 days	Fever, sore throat, hearing loss, multi-organ involvement	Rodent control, PPE for healthcare workers	Ribavirin (antiviral), supportive care
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome	Hantavirus	1–5 weeks	Flu-like symptoms, severe lung involvement	Avoid rodent exposure	Supportive care
Norovirus Infection	Norovirus	12–48 hours	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps	Hand hygiene, proper food handling	Hydration, supportive care
Rift Valley Fever (RVF)	Rift Valley Fever virus	2–6 days	Fever, liver dysfunction, eye involvement	Mosquito control, PPE for farmers	Supportive care

2. Additional Bacterial Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Melioidosis	Burkholderia pseudomallei	1–21 days	Pneumonia, skin abscesses, septicemia	Avoid soil and water exposure in endemic areas	IV antibiotics (ceftazidime, meropenem)
Glanders	Burkholderia mallei	1–14 days	Fever, nodular skin ulcers, lung involvement	Animal control, PPE	IV antibiotics
Q Fever	Coxiella burnetii	2–3 weeks	Pneumonia, hepatitis, prolonged fever	Proper animal handling, pasteurization	Doxycycline
Rickettsial Diseases (Typhus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever)	Rickettsia species	1–2 weeks	Fever, rash, headache, muscle pain	Tick control, protective clothing	Doxycycline
Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)	Francisella tularensis	3–5 days	Skin ulcer, fever, swollen lymph nodes	Protective gloves, avoid handling wild animals	Streptomycin, gentamicin

3. Additional Protozoal & Parasitic Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Toxoplasmosis	Toxoplasma gondii	5–20 days	Flu-like symptoms, neurological issues (in immunocompromised individuals)	Avoid cat feces, proper food handling	Pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine
Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)	Trypanosoma cruzi	1–2 weeks	Swelling at bite site, cardiac and digestive complications	Insecticide use, housing improvement	Benznidazole, nifurtimox
Babesiosis	Babesia microti	1–4 weeks	Flu-like symptoms, hemolytic anemia	Tick control	Atovaquone, azithromycin
Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)	Dracunculus medinensis	10–14 months	Painful ulcers with emerging worms	Safe drinking water, filtering water	No specific drug, slow worm extraction
Onchocerciasis (River Blindness)	Onchocerca volvulus	1–2 years	Severe itching, eye lesions, blindness	Insect control, ivermectin campaigns	Ivermectin
Loiasis (African Eye Worm)	Loa loa	1–12 months	Swelling, worm migration in the eye	Avoid insect bites	DEC (diethylcarbamazine)

4. Additional Fungal Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Sporotrichosis	Sporothrix schenckii	1–12 weeks	Skin ulcers, nodular lesions along lymphatic channels	Proper glove use in gardening	Itraconazole
Blastomycosis	Blastomyces dermatitidis	3–15 weeks	Lung infection, skin lesions	Avoid soil disruption in endemic areas	Amphotericin B, itraconazole
Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)	Coccidioides species	1–3 weeks	Flu-like symptoms, lung disease	Dust control, protective masks	Fluconazole, amphotericin B

5. Additional Helminthic (Parasitic Worm) Diseases

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Strongyloidiasis	Strongyloides stercoralis	1–3 weeks	Skin rash, diarrhea, lung involvement	Proper sanitation	Ivermectin, albendazole
Trichinosis	Trichinella spiralis	1–4 weeks	Muscle pain, swelling around eyes, fever	Properly cooked pork	Albendazole, corticosteroids
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)	Schistosoma species	Weeks to months	Bloody urine/stool, liver fibrosis	Avoid contaminated water	Praziquantel
Echinococcosis (Hydatid Disease)	Echinococcus granulosus	Months to years	Liver/lung cysts, abdominal pain	Avoid dog feces, proper handwashing	Albendazole, surgical removal

Key

✅ Ebola, Marburg, Lassa = Deadly viral hemorrhagic fevers
✅ Melioidosis, Q Fever, Tularemia = Zoonotic bacterial diseases
✅ Chagas, Toxoplasmosis, Babesiosis = Protozoal infections with long-term effects
✅ Blastomycosis, Coccidioidomycosis = Fungal lung infections
✅ Strongyloidiasis, Trichinosis, Schistosomiasis = Severe helminthic infections

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

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1. Bacterial STDs

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Gonorrhea	Neisseria gonorrhoeae	2–14 days	Painful urination, Purulent genital discharge, Pelvic pain, Asymptomatic in some	Safe sex practices, Screening	Ceftriaxone + Azithromycin
Chlamydia	Chlamydia trachomatis	1–3 weeks	Dysuria, Vaginal/penile discharge, Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)	Safe sex, Screening	Azithromycin or Doxycycline
Syphilis	Treponema pallidum	10–90 days	Primary: Painless chancre; Secondary: Rash, Fever; Tertiary: Organ damage	Safe sex, Screening during pregnancy	Benzathine Penicillin G
Chancroid	Haemophilus ducreyi	3–10 days	Painful genital ulcers, Swollen lymph nodes	Safe sex, Screening	Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone
Donovanosis (Granuloma Inguinale)	Klebsiella granulomatis	1–12 weeks	Painless genital ulcers, Tissue destruction	Safe sex	Azithromycin, Doxycycline

✅ Key for Exams:

• Syphilis has multiple stages (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary).
• Chlamydia = Most common bacterial STD.
• Gonorrhea and Chlamydia often co-exist → Treated together.

2. Viral STDs

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
HIV/AIDS	Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)	Weeks to years	Opportunistic infections, Weight loss, Recurrent fever	Safe sex, PEP, PrEP, Screening	Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Genital Herpes	Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1, HSV-2)	2–12 days	Painful genital blisters, Burning urination, Recurrences	Safe sex	Acyclovir, Valacyclovir
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)	Human Papillomavirus	Weeks to months	Genital warts, Cervical cancer risk	HPV vaccine (Gardasil, Cervarix)	Topical treatments, Surgery
Hepatitis B (HBV)	Hepatitis B virus	4–6 weeks	Jaundice, Dark urine, Fatigue	Hepatitis B vaccine, Safe sex	Antivirals (Tenofovir, Entecavir)
Molluscum Contagiosum	Molluscum contagiosum virus	2–6 weeks	Small painless bumps on genitals	Safe sex, Avoid skin contact	Cryotherapy, Topical treatments

✅ Key for Exams:

• HPV → Linked to Cervical Cancer (Preventable with HPV vaccine).
• Herpes → Recurrent blisters, No cure (Only symptom control).
• HIV → Lifelong infection, managed with ART.

3. Parasitic & Fungal STDs

Disease	Causative Microorganism	Incubation Period	Key Signs/Symptoms	Prevention	Treatment
Trichomoniasis	Trichomonas vaginalis	5–28 days	Greenish vaginal discharge, Foul odor, Itching	Safe sex, Early screening	Metronidazole
Pubic Lice (Crabs)	Pthirus pubis	5–10 days	Itching, Small red spots in pubic area	Avoid sharing personal items	Permethrin cream
Scabies	Sarcoptes scabiei	4–6 weeks	Severe itching, Burrows in skin folds	Good hygiene, Avoid direct contact	Permethrin cream
Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)	Candida albicans	Varies	Thick white vaginal discharge, Itching, Redness	Proper hygiene, Avoid excessive antibiotics	Fluconazole

✅ Key for Exams:

• Trichomoniasis → Only STD caused by a parasite.
• Candidiasis → Not always sexually transmitted, but common in immunocompromised people.
• Pubic Lice & Scabies → Itching & skin involvement.

4. Quick Revision

Category	Examples	Prevention
Bacterial STDs	Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, Chancroid	Safe sex, Early screening, Antibiotics
Viral STDs	HIV, Herpes, HPV, Hepatitis B	Vaccines (HPV, HBV), Condoms, ART for HIV
Parasitic STDs	Trichomoniasis, Pubic Lice, Scabies	Hygiene, Avoiding contact, Medications
Fungal STDs	Candidiasis	Proper hygiene, Limiting antibiotic use

✅ Bacterial = Treated with antibiotics.
✅ Viral = Managed, but not cured (except Hepatitis B with antivirals).
✅ Parasitic & Fungal = Require topical or oral antiparasitic drugs.

5. Key

✅ Syphilis progresses in 3 stages – Primary, Secondary, Tertiary.
✅ HPV vaccine prevents genital warts & cervical cancer.
✅ Chlamydia & Gonorrhea often occur together – Treated with Azithromycin + Ceftriaxone.
✅ HIV is managed with ART but has no cure.
✅ Trichomoniasis is the only protozoal STD – Treated with Metronidazole.
✅ Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination.

Specific Diagnostic Tests for Communicable & Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

1. Bacterial Communicable Diseases

Disease	Specific Diagnostic Test	Sample Type
Tuberculosis (TB)	Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), Sputum Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) Stain, GeneXpert (CBNAAT), Culture on Löwenstein-Jensen Medium	Sputum, Blood
Typhoid Fever	Widal Test, Blood Culture, Typhidot IgM/IgG Test	Blood, Stool
Cholera	Stool Culture (TCBS Agar), Cholera Rapid Dipstick Test	Stool
Leptospirosis	Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT), ELISA for IgM Antibodies	Blood, Urine
Diphtheria	Throat Swab Culture on Loeffler’s Medium, Elek’s Test	Throat Swab
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)	PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), Bordet-Gengou Culture	Nasopharyngeal Swab
Plague	Bacterial Culture, F1 Antigen Test	Sputum, Blood, Lymph Node Aspirate
Meningococcal Meningitis	CSF Gram Stain, Latex Agglutination Test, PCR	Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Blood

✅ Key for Exams:

• TB → GeneXpert (CBNAAT) = Fast & accurate.
• Typhoid → Blood culture = Gold standard.
• Cholera → Stool culture on TCBS agar.

2. Viral Communicable Diseases

Disease	Specific Diagnostic Test	Sample Type
HIV/AIDS	ELISA, Western Blot, Rapid HIV Test, CD4 Count, PCR for HIV RNA	Blood
Hepatitis B	HBsAg (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen), Anti-HBc IgM, HBV DNA (PCR)	Blood
Hepatitis C	Anti-HCV ELISA, HCV RNA PCR	Blood
Dengue Fever	NS1 Antigen Test (Early Detection), IgM/IgG ELISA, RT-PCR	Blood
Chikungunya	RT-PCR, IgM/IgG ELISA	Blood
Measles	Measles IgM ELISA, RT-PCR	Blood, Nasopharyngeal Swab
Mumps	IgM/IgG ELISA, RT-PCR	Saliva, Blood
Rabies	Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) Test, PCR from Brain Biopsy, Saliva PCR	Brain Tissue (Postmortem), Saliva
Polio	RT-PCR, Virus Culture (Throat/CSF Sample)	Stool, CSF
Influenza (Flu)	Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test (RIDT), RT-PCR	Nasal/Throat Swab

✅ Key for Exams:

• HIV → ELISA (Screening), Western Blot (Confirmation).
• Dengue → NS1 Antigen (Early), IgM/IgG ELISA (Later).
• Rabies → DFA Test (Gold standard, Postmortem).

3. Protozoal & Parasitic Diseases

Disease	Specific Diagnostic Test	Sample Type
Malaria	Peripheral Blood Smear (Thick & Thin), Rapid Malaria Test, PCR for Plasmodium DNA	Blood
Kala-azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)	rK39 Antigen Test, Bone Marrow Aspirate Microscopy	Blood, Bone Marrow
Amoebiasis	Stool Microscopy (Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica), Stool ELISA	Stool
Toxoplasmosis	IgM/IgG ELISA, PCR for Toxoplasma gondii	Blood, CSF
Chagas Disease	Trypanosoma Detection (Blood Smear), ELISA, PCR	Blood
Filariasis	Blood Smear (Microfilariae), Filariasis Antigen Test	Blood
Trichomoniasis	Wet Mount Microscopy, NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test)	Vaginal Swab, Urethral Swab

✅ Key for Exams:

• Malaria → Peripheral Blood Smear (Gold standard).
• Kala-azar → rK39 Rapid Test.
• Filariasis → Blood Smear (Microfilariae seen at night).

4. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

STD Disease	Specific Diagnostic Test	Sample Type
Syphilis	VDRL (Screening), RPR, TPHA, FTA-ABS (Confirmation)	Blood
Gonorrhea	NAAT (Gold standard), Gram Stain, Culture on Thayer-Martin Medium	Urethral Swab, Cervical Swab
Chlamydia	NAAT (PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis), ELISA	Urine, Vaginal Swab
Genital Herpes (HSV)	PCR for HSV DNA, Tzanck Smear	Genital Swab, Blood
HPV (Human Papillomavirus)	Pap Smear (For Cervical Lesions), HPV DNA Test	Cervical Swab
Hepatitis B (HBV)	HBsAg, Anti-HBc IgM, HBV DNA PCR	Blood
HIV/AIDS	ELISA, Western Blot, HIV RNA PCR	Blood
Trichomoniasis	Wet Mount Microscopy, NAAT	Vaginal Swab, Urethral Swab

✅ Key for Exams:

• Syphilis → VDRL (Screening), TPHA (Confirmation).
• Gonorrhea & Chlamydia → NAAT (Most accurate).
• Genital Herpes → PCR for HSV DNA.

5. Fungal & Helminthic Diseases

Disease	Specific Diagnostic Test	Sample Type
Candidiasis	KOH Mount, Gram Stain, Fungal Culture	Vaginal Swab, Oral Swab
Cryptococcosis	India Ink Staining, Cryptococcal Antigen Test	CSF
Histoplasmosis	Histoplasma Antigen Test, Fungal Culture	Blood, Urine
Schistosomiasis	Stool/Oval Microscopy, Serology	Stool, Urine
Strongyloidiasis	Stool Microscopy, Serology (ELISA)	Stool

✅ Key for Exams:

• Candidiasis → KOH Mount.
• Cryptococcosis → India Ink Staining (CSF).
• Histoplasmosis → Antigen Detection in Urine.

6. Quick Revision

Category	Gold Standard Test
Tuberculosis	GeneXpert (CBNAAT)
Typhoid Fever	Blood Culture
Cholera	Stool Culture
Dengue	NS1 Antigen (Early), IgM ELISA (Later)
HIV/AIDS	Western Blot, PCR for HIV RNA
Syphilis	TPHA, FTA-ABS
Gonorrhea & Chlamydia	NAAT
Malaria	Peripheral Blood Smear