Communicable Disease Aim: How can someone contract a communicable disease?

Influenza What is it:  A contagious respiratory illness Who can get it:  Elderly, young children, and those with certain health conditions are more susceptible How does it spread:  Due to respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing.  Usually from person to person, but occasionally from touching something with the virus on it.

Influenza (con’t) Symptoms:  High fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Vaccines/Treatments:  Flu shot  Nasal flu vaccine  Some strains can be treat with antiviral drugs

Meningitis What is it:  A severe bacterial or viral infection of the bloodstream or meninges. Who can get it:  Anyone, however it is more common in infants and children.  First-year college students living in dorms are at an increased risk.

Meningitis (con’t) How does it spread:  The meningococcal germ is spread by direct close contact with nose or throat discharge. Symptoms: Appear 2-10 days after exposure  High fever, Vomiting, Headache, Rash, Stiff neck Vaccine/ Treatment:  Antibiotics- penicillin  Vaccine release in 2005 called Menactra

Mononucleosis What is it:  A viral disease that affects certain blood cells Who can get it:  At risk group includes late childhood to early adulthood. How does it spread:  Person to person contact via saliva

Mononucleosis (con’t) Symptoms: Appears 4-6 weeks after exposure  Fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and extreme tiredness.  Symptoms can last one to several weeks. Vaccine/Treatments:  No vaccine at this time  No physical activity  REST

Hepatitis What is it:  A viral infection that affects the liver.  Hep. A is an acute infection  Hep B and C are more chronic Who can get it:  Hep A- People living in areas with many cases Men involved in homosexual intercourse Sexual contact with infected person Drug users

Hepatitis Who can get it:  Hep B- Those who have been diagnosed with an STD Multiple sex partners IV drug users Born to infected mother  Hep C- Those who had a blood transfusion before Long term dialysis patients People with risky sexual behaviors Sharing personal hygiene products with infected person

Hepatitis (con’t) How does it spread:  Hep A- Person to person contact from someone who was in contact with fecal matter of an infected person.  Hep B- Sexual contact and needles  Hep C- Direct contact with infected blood.

Hepatitis (con’t) Symptoms:  Hep A- mild fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, addominal pain, and jaundice.  Hep B- May never experience symptoms, but can cause liver damage.  Hep C- Many don’t realize they have it until a test shows liver damage.

Hepatitis (con’t) Vaccine/Treatments:  Hep A- Vaccine available at 1 yr of age. Also recommended when traveling to certain countries  Hep B- has a vaccine for those in high risk situations and is not recommended for infants, early childhood, and adolescents  Hep C- no vaccine