What are the most contagious diseases in Japan? What diseases kill the most? In this article we will see a list of the diseases in Japan and also a ranking of the ones that kill the most annually.
Japan is known for being a country that cares a lot about health! This is possible to see, because even before the pandemic caused by the Covid-19 they already had the habit of wearing masks to prevent illness and not to infect others in cases of flu.
But every country faces its outbreaks of infectious diseases due to insects and animals typical of the region, season of the year and among many other reasons.
In this article we will analyze which are the most contagious diseases in Japan (mostly children are the victims) and which ones are killing the most Japanese people in recent years.
01 - Influenza
It is an infectious disease caused by a virus. There are types A, B and C. The types that affect humans currently are Hong Kong type A, Russian type A and B. The symptoms are more severe than the normal flu.
The symptoms are usually very high fever, persistent, comes and goes; weakness and lack of appetite; body aches all over; sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, cough among others.
After the diagnosis, which can be through an exam inserted a cotton swab in the nose, the doctor gives oral medicine. In case of worsening, return to the doctor.
you can see a Japanese Medicines Guide for allergies and flu in our article. The image below shows some of the most common remedies to treat the symptoms.
02 - Measles (Hashika)
Infectious disease caused by the measles virus. Highly contagious, there are many complications associated with the disease, considered a serious illness. Prevention is the vaccine.
There is no specific treatment for measles, but after diagnosis, the doctor prescribes medication to alleviate the symptoms in order not to get worse.
03 - Rubella (Fushin)
A contagious disease caused by the rubella virus. Also known as three-day measles. Getting rubella early in pregnancy can cause birth defects in the baby. There is also no specific treatment, but remedies to relieve itching and rashes.
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04 - Mumps (Otafukukaze)
A contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. If symptoms of pain or fever appear, you should go to the hospital immediately to prevent the situation from getting worse.
Avoid acidic foods or foods that require a lot of chewing. Avoid taking a bath (ofuro) in case of fever and pain.
05 - Chickenpox or Chickenpox (Mizuboso)
A contagious disease caused by the herpes zoster virus. Medicines are used to prevent the proliferation of the “herpes zoster” virus and to alleviate the disease.
Other oral medications and/or ointments against itching are used. In case of pus formation, antibiotics are given.
06 - Infectious Erysipelas or Eritema (Ringobyo)
Infectious disease caused by the human parvovirus B19 virus. If contracted during pregnancy, there is a risk of miscarriage.
There is no medicine to cure the disease. If necessary, the doctor prescribes a remedy if the itching is very intense.
07 - Herpangina
It is a kind of flu that has as one of its symptoms a blister on the tongue resembling a herpes. It is known as the summer flu, caused by a virus. There are several viruses that cause herpangina, appearing frequently.
The disease causes high fever of 38º to 40ºC for 1 to 4 days, blisters appear on the tongue and inside the throat, which once ruptured, turn into stomatitis causing a lot of pain.
08 - Hand, foot, and mouth disease (Teashikuchi-byo)
Virus infection this disease is more common during the summer. There are several types of virus that cause the disease, so you can contract it several times.
The improvement is even fast, but if you cannot drink liquids, the fever lasts for more than 3 days, you have vomiting and tiredness, you should go to the hospital again. The disease got its name because it causes sores on the hands, feet and mouths.
09 - Infantile rash or roseola (Toppatsusei Hasshinsho)
An infectious disease caused by the herpes 6 virus, usually affecting children between 4 months and 2 years of age. Fever lasts an average of 3 days. It cannot be diagnosed until the rash appears.
10 - Psicin Fever
Pool fever – also known as Puru netsu or Intoketsumaku netsu – is contagious. Its name comes from the fact that it is often broadcast in public swimming pools.
Pool fever is caused by a virus and often has symptoms similar to the common cold. Over a period of 5 days at night, the fever usually rises to between 39 and 40 degrees Celsius.
This fever causes significant discomfort, including red eyes, sore throat, headache, stomachache, and diarrhea.
11 - Streptococcal infection (Yorenkin kansensho)
Streptococcal infection, also called strep throat, is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation and swelling in the throat and tonsils.
The bacteria that cause strep throat are highly contagious and can be spread by coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms of strep throat include sore throat, fever, headache, and nausea. Treatment of streptococci usually involves antibiotics.
While strep throat can be deadly, it's important to remember that it's also very treatable. With medical care, most people make a full recovery.
12 - Whooping cough (Hyakunichi seki)
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the respiratory system. The main symptom is a severe cough, which can persist for weeks or even months.
Pertussis is most commonly seen in babies and young children, but it can occur at any age. The infection is spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions, such as droplets from a cough or sneeze.
Pertussis is a serious disease that can be fatal, especially in babies and young children. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid serious complications.
13 - Molluscum contagiosum (Mizuibo)
Infectious disease caused by a virus. It is characterized by clear skin tumors. When it breaks, solid white concentrated virus substances come out. As a result of an allergic reaction to the virus, hives may appear around the lesions, causing itching.
In all the diseases mentioned above, the orientation is to stay at home (go out only for what is necessary), not to receive visitors, when going out, wear a mask.
Information on these diseases is sourced from the Hamamatsu Channel, the City Hall website and its content portal for foreigners.
14 - Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis is an acute infectious disease caused by a flavivirus (the Japanese encephalitis virus) capable of affecting the central nervous system. Transmission is by mosquitoes.
There are about 30,000 to 50,000 cases a year worldwide, and in Asia it is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in children. One person does not transmit Japanese encephalitis directly to another.
Transmission takes place through mosquito bite infected. The Japanese encephalitis virus has wild birds and swine as its natural hosts.
This disease, if left untreated, can lead to coma. That's why she is within the mandatory vaccines for those who go to Japan.
12 Most Killing Diseases in Japan (2019)
According to the Disease Ranking of the Year 2019, we can get a sense of the diseases that kill the most in Japan below:
- Alzheimer's
- cerebrovascular disease
- ischemic heart disease
- Lower respiratory infections
- Lung cancer
- colorectal cancer
- stomach cancer
- chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- pancreatic cancer
- liver cancer
- self-harm
