5 deadly diseases that you must know about that kill within 24 hours

Several deadly diseases can kill within 24 hours if not detected and treated promptly. These conditions often progress so rapidly that victims may appear fine one moment and critically ill the next. Understanding them can help save lives through early recognition and urgent medical attention.

1. Meningococcal meningitis: This is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It can lead to severe brain damage or death in just hours

Symptoms include sudden fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, and confusion.

2. Necrotizing fasciitis: Known as “flesh-eating disease,” this bacterial infection spreads quickly through soft tissue. Within hours, it can destroy skin, fat, and muscle. Early signs include intense pain, swelling, and skin discoloration at the infection site.

3. Hemorrhagic fevers (e.g., Ebola): Some viral hemorrhagic fevers can cause severe internal bleeding, organ failure, and shock, leading to death within a day if untreated. Initial symptoms may seem mild fever, fatigue but escalate fast.

4. Cholera (severe cases): In extreme cases, cholera can cause profuse diarrhea leading to fatal dehydration in less than a day if fluids aren’t replaced immediately. It strikes hardest in areas with poor sanitation.

5. Pneumonic plague: This airborne form of plague spreads fast in the lungs, causing severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death if not treated within 24 hours. Early signs include fever, chest pain, and cough with blood.

Recognizing these illnesses early and seeking urgent medical care is key to survival