It’s tough to believe in this era of great antibiotics and progressive treatment that diseases like tuberculosis and polio can take your life. But in history, a particular disease could cause the devastation of humankind. Here’s a list of top 10 epidemic diseases in the history accountable for wiping off millions of lives across the globe:

1. Tuberculosis tops the list of top 10 epidemic diseases in the history! Signs of
this disease have been tracked down with the DNA of ancient Egyptian
mummies. This fact revealed that the epidemic has been creating havoc on
the human race for decades. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria that
spreads through the air. This rampant disease attacks the lungs, causing
internal weakness, night sweats, chest pains, and fits of coughing.

2. It is broadly known as one of the most dreadful outbreaks in
history. Though it lasted for a year, this strain of virus caused
the deaths of 50 to 100 million people. Symptoms were similar to
todays’ influenza virus. But, in this type of epidemic excessive
fluid buildup in the lungs, resulted in the death of millions.

3. The Black Death is known as the life-threatening outburst on
earth. It has cut down population ratio in half throughout the
parts of the world like Asia and Europe in the 14th century.
Indications of Black Death include swollen lymph glands, with
fever, bloody mucus and fever.

4. This disease is closely related to malaria as it spreads from
person to person through infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever still
persists in the areas of Africas and South America.
Considerably, it is a fatal disease causing acute internal bleeding
and liver failure, which is marked by the yellowing of the skin.

5. It caused the death of around 90 million Native American
when the Europeans carried it over to the America. It is
still considered as one of the most severe epidemics in
the US. This disease can be marked by body aches, high
fevers, and a serious rash resulting from liquid-filled
bumps leaving scars on the skin.

6. Cholera causes influenza-like symptoms like vomiting, cramping,
dehydration and diarrhea leading to death. It is often transmitted
through contaminated food and water. This fatal disease moved
around the world in the 19th century including the US.

7. Malaria is one of the longest-surviving threats to humankind!
Records of the malaria go back around 4,000 years and it still
persists even today. This affects the areas like sub-Saharan
Africa, where between 350 to 500 million cases of malaria are
diagnosed annually.

8. This life-threatening disease spreads widely across the globe!
Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is
transmitted through contact with bodily fluids and attacks the
immune system. Medications like anti-retroviral therapy
treatments have reduced the symptoms and extend the life-cycle
of those affected by around 4 to 12 years.

9. One of the 10 deadliest epidemics in history, Typhus was caused
by microbes contracted by bodily lice, this distressing disease
spread in close, confined quarters and impoverished cities dating
back to the 1600s. This disease is marked by symptoms like
headache, fever, and nausea. If these signs left untreated, lead to
heat exhaustion, effecting on blood circulation leading and can
be resulted into organ failure.

10. It usually spreads through contaminated water and food, this
disease is persisting for around thousands of years. Symptoms
usually affect the legs leading to paralysis. Epidemics in the US
peaked in 1952; nearly 57,628 cases were reported around the
nation.