COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Cooooo-Stanza!

Virus, bacteria, fungus, protozoa, others Communicable Disease Transmitted from person to person by microorganisms (pathogens) or other toxins. Virus, bacteria, fungus, protozoa, others

Common Cold vs. Influenza Respiratory Illness Runny or stuffy nose Less serious complications Respiratory Illness Fever, body aches, dry cough Possible hospitalization and death

Strep Infection vs. Staph Infection Most common throat infection Fever, red throat with white patches Swollen lymph nodes; chills Commonly carried in healthy people Commonly impacts skin and tissue (styes, boils) Symptoms vary

Athletes’ Foot vs. Ringworm Itchy, scaly, and red skin on foot Can be oozy sores that bleed Commonly contracted in warm, moist environments Very itchy rash Commonly in form of a ring Commonly contracted in warm, moist environments

Methods of Transmission Direct Contact Shaking hands Kissing Fluid transmission

Methods of Transmission Through air Examples: coughing, and sneezing

Methods of Transmission Contact with contaminated objects Examples: shared items such as combs, razors, toothbrushes, food, utensils, needles, tattoos, piercings,

Methods of Transmission Contact with animals, insects that are vectors or carriers of disease Examples: Deer ticks carry Lyme disease, some mosquitoes carry West Nile.

Methods of transmission Contaminated food and water Examples: Undercooked meat, using the same knife to cut raw meat and vegetables, not washing hands

Body defenses Skin Cilia Mucus Immune System

Active Immunity Antibodies remain in body after recovering from disease (chicken pox) Vaccine/immunization = dead/weakened form of pathogen injected into body so antibodies are formed

Passive Immunity Introducing antibodies in a person’s bloodstream from another person’s blood (short term) Babies receive antibodies from mother through breast milk

Disease prevention — breaking the chain Breaking link #1: Kill the agent (pathogen) Example Antibiotics, WASH YOUR HANDS!

Breaking link #2: Prevent contact with reservoir Example Quarantine— isolate people with disease; destroy reservoirs or prevent contact— contaminated water, food, or insects

Breaking link #3: Prevent escape Example Cough or sneeze into crook of arm (not hands) or use a tissue to cover

Breaking link #4: Prevent transmission Example Abstinence, no contact with contaminated objects (needles) or people

Breaking link #5: Block places of entry Example Wear mask, cover wounds, don’t eat suspicious food

Breaking link #6: Resistant host Example Vaccinations immunizations keep immune system healthy— adequate sleep, good nutrition, exercise