Health insurance goes beyond hospitalization—it covers OPD visits, medicines, ambulance charges, preventive checkups, and even alternative treatments, giving you all-around financial security.
Check health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage
Get Quote
Health plans from leading insurers | Comprehensive coverage | Offers multiple optional add-ons to enhance coverage
Diseases Covered in Health Insurance
In summary
Communicable diseases are infections that can spread through contact, respiratory droplets, contaminated food or water, and vectors such as mosquitoes. Their causes, symptoms, and severity vary depending on the type of infection.
Key takeaways
- Communicable diseases can spread between people or through contaminated sources.
- Common examples include influenza, tuberculosis, dengue, malaria, and COVID-19.
- Symptoms vary depending on the type and cause of infection.
- Transmission may occur through air, direct contact, food, water, blood, or insect bites.
- Hygiene, vaccination, and other preventive measures can help reduce the spread of infections.
Communicable diseases can cause symptoms that require medical consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, or hospitalisation. Check now to explore health insurance plans that suits your healthcare needs.
What causes communicable diseases?
Communicable diseases are caused by infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites that enter the body and multiply. They can spread through respiratory droplets, bodily fluids, contaminated food or surfaces, insect bites, or sexual contact. Poor sanitation, overcrowding, limited access to healthcare, and frequent travel can also increase the risk of transmission.
Pro tip
Communicable diseases list: Common examples by type
Communicable diseases can be grouped by how they spread. The table below lists common examples, their transmission routes, and whether they are commonly reported in India.
| Disease | Type | How it spreads | Common in India? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza | Respiratory | Respiratory droplets and close contact | Yes |
| COVID-19 | Respiratory | Respiratory particles and close contact | Yes |
| Tuberculosis | Respiratory | Inhaling infectious airborne particles | Yes |
| Measles | Respiratory | Airborne particles and respiratory droplets | Yes |
| Whooping cough | Respiratory | Respiratory droplets from an infected person | Yes |
| Typhoid | Food- and water-borne | Contaminated food or water | Yes |
| Hepatitis A | Food- and water-borne | Contaminated food or water | Yes |
| Cholera | Food- and water-borne | Contaminated food or water | Yes |
| Amoebiasis | Food- and water-borne | Contaminated food or water | Yes |
| Giardiasis | Food- and water-borne | Contaminated food or water | Yes |
| Dengue | Vector-borne | Bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes | Yes |
| Malaria | Vector-borne | Bites from infected Anopheles mosquitoes | Yes |
| Chikungunya | Vector-borne | Bites from infected Aedes mosquitoes | Yes |
| Japanese encephalitis | Vector-borne | Bites from infected mosquitoes | Yes |
| HIV infection | Blood- and sexually transmitted | Infected blood and certain body fluids, including through sexual contact | Yes |
| Hepatitis B | Blood- and sexually transmitted | Infected blood and certain body fluids | Yes |
| Syphilis | Sexually transmitted | Sexual contact with an infected person | Yes |
| Ringworm | Contact- and skin-borne | Direct contact or contaminated personal items and surfaces | Yes |
| Scabies | Contact- and skin-borne | Prolonged skin-to-skin contact or shared personal items | Yes |
| Rabies | Animal-borne | Bites or scratches from an infected animal | Yes |
Transmission routes can vary for some diseases, and several infections can spread through more than one route.
Show more
Show less
What are the symptoms of communicable diseases?
The symptoms of communicable diseases vary depending on the infection and the part of the body affected. Common symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Cough and sore throat
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headache
- Muscle or body aches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
- Skin rashes
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Difficulty breathing
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Some infections can cause complications, particularly in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Popular plans for you
How can you prevent communicable diseases?
You can reduce the spread of communicable diseases by following good hygiene practices, staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, and taking appropriate infection-control measures.
- Wash your hands: Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap and water are unavailable.
- Cover coughs and sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of used tissues properly.
- Stay up to date with vaccinations: Follow recommended vaccination schedules to protect against vaccine-preventable infections.
- Avoid close contact when ill: Limit close contact with others when you have symptoms of a contagious infection.
- Practise safe food and water habits: Consume safe drinking water and handle, prepare, and store food hygienically.
- Maintain clean surroundings: Clean frequently touched surfaces and maintain good sanitation to reduce the risk of infection.
- Follow infection-control measures: Follow appropriate precautions in healthcare facilities, schools, workplaces, and other shared settings when infections are circulating.
How are communicable diseases treated?
Treatment for communicable diseases depends on the type of infection, the infectious agent, and the severity of symptoms. Treatment may include:
- Antimicrobial medicines: Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, or antiparasitic medicines may be prescribed for specific infections.
- Supportive care: Rest, adequate fluids, pain or fever relief, and respiratory support may be used to manage symptoms and complications.
- Infection-control measures: Isolation or other precautions may be advised for certain infections to reduce the risk of transmission.
Health Insurance in different cities
Health Insurance in Bangalore
Health Insurance in Jaipur
Health Insurance in Pune
Health Insurance in Mumbai
Health Insurance in Kerala
Compare types of Health Insurance Plans
Tax-savings plans for you
What our customer say about us
+ Customers
Play Store Rating
Reviews
Arjun Mehta
13 Jul 2025
I opted for the Health Infinity plan for my parents. The digital onboarding was incredibly fast with no medical tests required since they are under 50. We had a minor daycare procedure last month, and the cashless approval came through in less than 2 hours. Very impressed with the efficiency.
Priya Sharma
28 Feb 2025
The Bajaj Finance Health app is a lifesaver. I use it for my regular OPD consultations and medicine orders. The 10% discount on pharmacy bills and the easy reimbursement for doctor visits make it much more than just a 'hospitalization' policy. It’s daily health support.
Sneha Kapoor
15 Mar 2025
Switched my family floater to Bajaj General this year. The network of hospitals in my city (Pune) is excellent. The only downside was a slight delay in getting my physical card, but the digital copy on the app works everywhere. The 'Wellness Rewards' for hitting step goals is a cool touch!
Does health insurance cover communicable diseases?
Health insurance can help manage medical expenses associated with communicable diseases, depending on the policy’s terms and conditions. Coverage may include eligible costs for consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, hospitalisation, and other medically necessary treatment.
When planning for unexpected healthcare expenses, understanding how insurance can support treatment costs can help you make an informed choice. Review the policy terms carefully to understand the coverage available for communicable disease-related treatment and hospitalisation.
Conclusion
Communicable diseases remain a public health concern and can affect individuals, families, and communities. Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate preventive measures can help reduce their impact. Understanding how these infections spread and recognising their symptoms can support timely medical care. Health insurance can also help manage eligible healthcare expenses related to consultations, diagnostic tests, treatment, and hospitalisation.
If you are looking for financial support for unexpected healthcare expenses, review available health insurance options and apply now for coverage that suits your needs.
Explore and stay informed
Can you buy health insurance on EMI
Why buy health insurance
Health Insurance for family
Health Insurance Claim settlement ratio
Health Insurance waiting period
Importance of health insurance
Health Insurance for Senior Citizens
Health Insurance tax benefits
Health Insurance for parents
Health Insurance premium calculator
Health Insurance for Other Diseases
Antral Gastritis
Hepatomegaly Symptoms Causes & Treatment
Blood Pressure Range
PCOS Causes and Symptoms
Health insurance for Obesity
Frequently Asked Questions
About communicable diseases
Health protection
What are communicable diseases, and how do they spread?
Communicable diseases are infections that can spread from one person to another, directly or indirectly. Transmission can occur through respiratory droplets, physical contact, contaminated food or water, infected blood or body fluids, and vectors such as mosquitoes.
Can you provide examples of common communicable diseases?
Common communicable diseases include influenza, tuberculosis (TB), COVID-19, dengue, malaria, measles, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and certain sexually transmitted infections.
What are the most effective strategies for preventing communicable diseases?
Prevention includes regular handwashing, appropriate vaccination, safe food and water practices, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding close contact with people who are unwell, and following appropriate infection-control measures.
Which diseases does the WHO classify as communicable?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises communicable diseases as infectious diseases that can be transmitted between people, from animals to people, or through vectors and contaminated sources. Examples include TB, malaria, dengue, influenza, HIV infection, and hepatitis.
What is the difference between infectious and communicable diseases?
An infectious disease is caused by an infectious agent such as a virus, bacterium, fungus, or parasite. A communicable disease is an infectious disease that can be transmitted between people or through other routes. Therefore, not every infectious disease is necessarily communicable.
How can I protect myself from communicable diseases in India?
You can reduce your risk by staying up to date with recommended vaccinations, maintaining hand hygiene, consuming safe food and water, preventing mosquito bites, practising respiratory hygiene, and seeking medical advice when symptoms develop.
What are the main causes of communicable diseases?
Communicable diseases are caused by infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These agents can spread through respiratory droplets, direct contact, contaminated food or water, blood and body fluids, or vectors such as mosquitoes.
Does health insurance cover treatment for communicable diseases like dengue or TB?
Health insurance can cover eligible treatment expenses for communicable diseases such as dengue or TB, depending on the policy. Coverage can include eligible hospitalisation, diagnostic tests, medicines, and other medically necessary expenses, subject to the policy terms, exclusions, and applicable waiting periods
Articles and Insights
Disclaimer
*T&C Apply - Bajaj Finance Limited (‘BFL’) is a registered corporate agent of third party insurance products of Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited, SBI General Insurance Company Limited, ACKO General Insurance Company Limited, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited, ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited, New India Assurance Limited, Chola MS General Insurance Company Limited, Zurich Kotak General Insurance Co. Limited , Star Health & Allied Insurance Co. Limited, Care Health Insurance Company Limited, Niva Bupa Health Insurance Company Limited , Aditya Birla Health Insurance Company Limited and Manipal Cigna Health Insurance Company Limited under the IRDAI composite CA registration number CA0101. Please note that, BFL does not underwrite the risk or act as an insurer. Your purchase of an insurance product is purely on a voluntary basis after your exercise of an independent due diligence on the suitability, viability of any insurance product. Any decision to purchase insurance product is solely at your own risk and responsibility and BFL shall not be liable for any loss or damage that any person may suffer, whether directly or indirectly. Please refer insurer's website for Policy Wordings. For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions and exclusions please read the product sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale. Tax benefits applicable if any, will be as per the prevailing tax laws. Tax laws are subject to change. Tax laws are subject to change. BFL does NOT provide Tax/Investment advisory services. Please consult your advisors before proceeding to purchase an insurance product. Visitors are hereby informed that their information submitted on the website may also be shared with insurers. BFL is also a distributor of other third-party products from Assistance Services providers such as CPP Assistance Services Pvt. Ltd., Bajaj Finance Health Ltd. etc. All product information such as premium, benefits, exclusions, sum insured, value added services, etc. are authentic and solely based on the information received from the respective insurance company or the respective Assistance service provider company.
Note – While we have made all efforts and taken utmost care in gathering precise information about the products, features, benefits, etc. However, BFL cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage/loss. We request our customers to conduct their research about these products and refer to the respective product’s sales brochures before concluding their sale.