Epidemics WebQuest Disease Research

Ring Around the Rosie Ring around the rosie Pocket full of posies Ashes, ashes We all fall down! A popular children’s rhyme has dark origins. A rhym that told a grim tale for those who had been infected with bubonic, or Black Plague. The word “rosie” refers to the red rash that was often the first symptom of infection. Posies are flowers that were put in pockets and were thought to protect you from the disease. In other views, posies were used to cover up the horrible smell of those with the disease and all the corpses that piled up in the streets. In London, at the time of the outbreak in the 1600’s, the death rate was over 60% of the population.

Pathogens Humans have always been under assault from them. Humans, until key medical advancements occurred, did not understand why you got sick or how to effectively treat diseases. Epidemics, like the Black Plague, could cause the complete breakdown of a society. Plagues could even wipe out whole groups of people and destroy cultures. In this WebQuest, you will research a communicable disease and present your findings as either a PowerPoint, prezi, or any other form you choose. Check with Mrs. Sender on any other media that might also be acceptable.

Process 1.Choose your disease: Look on the next slide for a list of possible communicable diseases and check in with Mrs. Sender once you have selected one. (You MAY choose to work with a partner on this WebQuest. No person or pair will be researching the same disease.)

Disease List Leprosy (aka Hansen’s Disease) Black Plague HIV/AIDS Typhoid Fever Mad Cow Disease Hepatitis Malaria Influenza (flu) Tetanus Measles Small Pox Rabies Diphtheria Hantavirus Tuberculosis Polio African Sleeping Sickness Gangrene (infection) Whooping Cough Cholera Yellow Fever Flesh Eating Bacteria West Nile Virus Lyme Disease SARS Anthrax Mumps Meningitis (bacterial or viral) YOUR CHOICE

Process 2. Research your disease: Find specific information about the disease you chose. You can include more information if you’d like, but make sure you have the following questions answered somewhere in your presentation. ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN YOUR OWN WORDS. NO COPY AND PASTE 1.what is the history of the disease, where was it first discovered? 2.What are the symptoms of the disease? How is it diagnosed? 3.How does a person contract the disease? 4.What is the prognosis for the patient? (how long will they remain sick, will they die, are they contagious, will there be lingering effects…) 5.How is the disease treated or cured? 6.How can the disease be prevented? Are there vaccines or antibiotics? 7.Any interesting facts/trivia about the disease, interesting cases or famous people related to the disease…

Process 3. Build your presentation: Decide how you will present your topic to the class. Once your research is finished, begin working on your presentation. Good Luck!