Q: What are Infectious Diseases? A: Diseases spread from person to person by pathogens.
“give birth to suffering” Pathogens Q: What are Pathogens? A: Derived from Greek: pathos means “suffering” gen - means “give birth to”. Translation….. “give birth to suffering”
Two most common Pathogens 1. Bacteria Living things Grow in warm, dark, moist places Can be cured with antibiotics 2.Viruses Non-living things Invade cells and take over No cure
How do Infectious Diseases Spread? 1. Infected people 2. Contaminated objects 3. Contaminated food and water 4. Infected Animals
Modes of Transmission (spread)? 1. Direct (kissing, sex, bites) e.g. “mono”, HIV, gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, rabies 2. Indirect (drinking glasses, toothbrushes, toys) e.g. influenza, strep throat 3. Airborne (coughing, sneezing, aerosol, droplet) e.g. influenza, TB 4. Vector-borne (mosquitoes, ticks, fleas) e.g. malaria, lyme disease 5. Waterborne (pools, streams) e.g. cholera, Giardia diarrhea 6. Foodborne (chicken, seafood) e.g. food poisoning, hepatitis A, tapeworms 7. Fecal-oral (poor handwashing) e.g. polio salmonella
Horton & Parker: Informed Infection Control Practice (www) Chain of Infection Horton & Parker: Informed Infection Control Practice (www)
Q: Why aren't we always sick? Clean Water Sewage System Disinfectants Antiseptics Immunization Shots Hospitals Immune System
Q: Why do we get sick? Gender Genetics Climate / weather Poor nutrition Stress Lack of sleep Smoking Hygiene
Ways to Prevent Infectious Diseases Wash your hands Keep your room cool and well lit Avoid sick people Healthy Diet Exercise Regularly Control Stress 8 hours of sleep Drink plenty of water!
Any questions?