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Infectious Disease - Diseases & USMLE MCQs
11 clinical summaries in infectious disease - each with pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, management, high-yield pearls, sample USMLE MCQs and an illustration from our medical library. Free to read, no login.
Acute Pyelonephritis
Bacterial infection of the renal parenchyma and collecting system; presents with fever, flank pain and pyuria on top of lower UTI symptoms.
Reviewed 17 Jul 2026
Bacterial Meningitis
Life-threatening bacterial infection of the meninges presenting with fever, headache, neck stiffness and altered mental status. Do not delay empiric antibiotics and dexamethasone.
Reviewed 26 Jun 2026
Cholera
Vibrio cholerae O1/O139 causes profuse painless 'rice-water' diarrhoea leading to rapid hypovolaemic shock. Endemic in areas of poor sanitation and after disasters.
Reviewed 22 Jun 2026
HIV Infection
Chronic retroviral infection targeting CD4 T cells; modern ART enables near-normal lifespan and U=U (undetectable = untransmissible).
Reviewed 30 Jun 2026
Malaria
Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquito. P. falciparum causes severe disease; artemisinin-based combination therapy is first-line for uncomplicated malaria.
Reviewed 15 May 2026
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Airborne infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis causing granulomatous lung disease. Distinct latent (LTBI) and active phases; cure requires 6+ months of multidrug therapy.
Reviewed 3 May 2026
Salmonella Gastroenteritis
Non-typhoidal Salmonella (S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium) causes self-limited watery/inflammatory diarrhoea after ingestion of contaminated poultry, eggs or reptiles. Typhoid fever is a distinct systemic illness caused by S. typhi.
Reviewed 17 Jul 2026
Sepsis and Septic Shock
Life-threatening organ dysfunction from dysregulated host response to infection; time-sensitive resuscitation and source control improve survival.
Reviewed 4 Jul 2026
Shigellosis (Bacillary Dysentery)
Highly infectious Gram-negative bacillus causing bloody, mucoid diarrhoea with fever and tenesmus. Very low infectious dose (10-100 organisms) drives outbreaks.
Reviewed 3 Jun 2026
Syphilis
Sexually transmitted spirochaetal infection by Treponema pallidum with distinct primary, secondary, latent and tertiary stages; can also be transmitted vertically causing congenital syphilis.
Reviewed 23 Jul 2026
Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)
Bacterial infection of the lower urinary tract causing dysuria, urgency and frequency; most commonly Escherichia coli in women.
Reviewed 28 Jun 2026
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