• Question: What is the worst ever diesease that is known to man but has not killed anyone?

    Asked by to Bethany, Hannah, Keith, Peter on 25 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Bethany Dearlove

      Bethany Dearlove answered on 25 Jun 2014:

      If we’re talking human infectious diseases, then I think one of the worse diseases that doesn’t actually kill you itself is HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). HIV infects cells vital to the immune system, and gradually destroys them…leading to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). As the immune system weakens, the body becomes more prone to getting, and not being able to deal with, other infections – and it is these secondary infections that do the killing.

      For a disease that doesn’t affect humans, then I think a good case could be made for myxomatosis, a viral disease in rabbits spread by biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes. It causes severe disease, and kills in just a couple of weeks if the rabbit has not been vaccinated.

    • Photo: Peter Elliott

      Peter Elliott answered on 25 Jun 2014:

      I think on a emotional level contracting STDs is a pretty bad disease to have as people will often give you labels that are derogatory.

      Herpes is one such sexually transmitted infection but it has never killed anyone. the same goes for scabies and hepatitis A.

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