Communicable Diseases

1
Communicable Diseases

• In this lesson, you will Learn About
• The differences between a cold and the flu.
• Some common communicable diseases.
• Which communicable diseases can be prevented by
  vaccination.

2
Communicable Diseases

• The Vocabulary terms in this lesson are
• Influenza.
• Contagious period.
• Mononucleosis.
• Hepatitis.
• Tuberculosis.
• Pneumonia.
• Strep throat.

3
Facts About the Common Cold

A cold is one of the most frequently occurring
communicable diseases. Colds are common because
cold pathogens can spread in several ways, by
both direct and indirect contact. Also,
hundreds of different viruses can cause colds.
This is why no one has been able to develop a
cold vaccine.
4
Facts About the Flu

Some of the symptoms of a cold and the flu are
the same. However, different viruses cause colds
and the flu, or influenza. The flu begins more
suddenly than a cold, and it lasts longer. As
with a cold, you can catch the flu through direct
and indirect contact.
5
Chicken Pox, Measles, and Mumps
Chicken pox, measles, and mumps are diseases with
well-defined contagious periods. The contagious
period is the length of time that a particular
disease can be spread from person to person.
6
Chicken Pox, Measles, and Mumps (contd.)
Chicken pox can be passed to others from two days
before the rash appears until about six days
after. Symptoms of chicken pox include an itchy
rash, fever, headache, and body aches. The red
rash begins as small red bumps that develop into
blisters.
7
Chicken Pox, Measles, and Mumps (contd.)
Measles can be passed to others from several days
before the rash appears until five days
after. Symptoms of measles include a rash
accompanied by fever, runny nose, and coughing.
8
Chicken Pox, Measles, and Mumps (contd.)
Mumps can be passed to others around the time
when the symptoms appear, but it may be passed on
from as long as seven days before the symptoms
appear until nine days after. Symptoms of mumps
include a fever, headache, and swollen salivary
glands.
9
Other Communicable Diseases
Mononucleosis Symptoms include fatigue, loss of
appetite, fever, headache, and sore throat. The
disease is caused by a virus and is most common
in teens and young adults. It spreads through
kissing and by sharing drinking glasses or eating
utensils. Treatment for mononucleosis includes
rest and pain relievers.
10
Other Communicable Diseases (contd.)
Hepatitis Symptoms include weakness, nausea,
fever, headache, sore throat, and loss of
appetite. The three most common types of
hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C. Each is
caused by a different virus.
11
Other Communicable Diseases (contd.)

• Hepatitis A may be contracted from contaminated
  food or water.
• Hepatitis B and C may be contracted from
• Contact with the blood or other body fluids of an
  infected person. This can occur when drug users
  share needles.
• Sexual contact.
• Treatment for hepatitis involves rest and a
  healthful diet.

12
Other Communicable Diseases (contd.)
Tuberculosis (TB) Symptoms include cough,
fatigue, night sweats, fever, and weight
loss. TB is spread when infected people cough or
sneeze droplets into the air. TB can be treated
with antibiotics. A TB vaccine is also available.
13
Other Communicable Diseases (contd.)
Pneumonia Symptoms include fever, cough,
weakness, chills, and difficulty
breathing. Pneumonia may be caused by viruses or
bacteria. People may catch pneumonia by inhaling
airborne pathogens or by having direct contact
with an infected person.
14
Other Communicable Diseases (contd.)
Treatment of pneumonia depends on the type of
pneumonia and how serious the case is. Bacterial
pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. Regard
less of the type of pneumonia, rest and plenty of
fluids are recommended.
15
Other Communicable Diseases (contd.)
Strep throat Symptoms include a red and painful
throat, fever, and swollen and tender lymph nodes
in the neck. Headache, nausea, and vomiting may
also occur. Strep throat is usually spread
through direct contact or when infected people
breathe or cough droplets into the air.
16
Other Communicable Diseases (contd.)
Strep throat can be treated with
antibiotics. See a doctor if you think you have
strep throat or if you suddenly develop a sore
throat accompanied by a fever. If left
untreated, strep throat can lead to serious
complications such as rheumatic fever, a
condition that can damage the heart.
17
Vaccination Schedules
Some communicable diseases used to be much more
common than they are now. The immunization of
infants and children is making such diseases
increasingly rare.
18
Vaccination Schedules (contd.)

Vaccinations are often given at wellness exams.
Vaccine Diseases It Protects Against Typical Vaccination Schedule
Hep B hepatitis B Series of three injections birth2 months, 14 months, and 618 months
Source Table based on immunization schedule
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family
Physicians
19
Vaccination Schedules (contd.)
Vaccine Diseases It Protects Against Typical Vaccination Schedule
DTaP diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough) Series of five injections 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 1518 months, and 46 years (before starting school) Td (tetanus and diphtheria toxoid) booster given at 1112 years and every 10 years thereafter
Source Table based on immunization schedule
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family
Physicians
20
Vaccination Schedules (contd.)
Vaccine Diseases It Protects Against Typical Vaccination Schedule
Hib Haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria Series of three injections 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. Booster dose given at 1215 months
IPV polio Four doses 2 months, 4 months, 618 months, and 46 years
Source Table based on immunization schedule
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family
Physicians
21
Vaccination Schedules (contd.)
Vaccine Diseases It Protects Against Typical Vaccination Schedule
PCV pneumococcal infections (such as bacterial meningitis) Series of four injections 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 1215 months
MMR measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles) Two doses 1215 months and 46 years. Schedule should be completed by age 1112
Source Table based on immunization schedule
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family
Physicians
22
Vaccination Schedules (contd.)
Vaccine Diseases It Protects Against Typical Vaccination Schedule
Varicella chicken pox One dose 1218 months
Hep A hepatitis A Two doses, given at least 6 months apart 218 years. Used only in high-risk areas or for high-risk groups
Source Table based on immunization schedule
recommended by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family
Physicians
23
Reviewing Terms and Facts

• What is mononucleosis? How is it spread?

• Mononucleosis is a disease characterized by
  swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and
  throat. It spreads through kissing and by sharing
  drinking glasses or eating utensils.

24
Reviewing Terms and Facts

• What are the symptoms of strep throat? How is it
  treated?

• Symptoms of strep throat include a red and
  painful throat, fever, and swollen and tender
  lymph nodes in the neck. Headache, nausea, and
  vomiting may also occur. It can be treated with
  antibiotics.

25
Thinking Critically

• Why would it be important to know a diseases
  contagious period?

• It is important for a person to know a diseases
  contagious period so that the person can avoid
  contact with others during that time, if he or
  she has the disease, or avoid others who are
  infected.