communicable/infectious diseases what are they and how are they spread?

Communicable/Infectious Diseases What are they and how are they spread?

Communicable Disease

An infectious disease transmissible by direct contact with an affected individual or the individual’s discharges.

Deadly Diseases in Historyhttp://www.cnn.com/interactive/2

014/10/health/epidemics-through-history/

Diseases are caused by…?Germs

◦Bacteria◦Viruses◦Fungi◦Parasites

BacteriaBacteria- one-

celled organisms ◦ Not all harmful

digestion

Common Bacterial Infections◦ Strep throat◦ Tuberculosis

VirusesViruses are much

smaller than cells. ◦ Capsules that contain

genetic materialViruses invade the

cells in the body, hijacking the machinery that makes cells work.

Host cells are eventually destroyed

Common ColdInfluenzaMeaslesChickenpoxHIV/AIDSEbola

FungiThere are many

varieties of FungiSome cause

illness

Ring wormAthletes foot

ParasitesProtozoa

◦Malaria◦Toxoplasmosis

Helminths (worms)◦Tapeworms◦Roundworms

Ways Diseases SpreadThrough the Air- Direct Contact

◦Person to person◦Animal to person

Indirect Contact◦Door knobs, shopping carts, tables, etc..

Insect BitesEnvironmentalFood/Water Contamination

Airborne ChickenpoxCommon ColdFluMeningitis (bacterial)Strep throatMeasles, Mumps, RubellaTuberculosis

Direct Contact Animal to

Person Person to

Person

Saliva◦ Hepatitis B

Skin/mucous membrane contact◦ Chickenpox◦ Lice◦ Staph.◦ Ringworm

Contaminated objects◦ Hepatitis A◦ Meningitis (viral)◦ Rotavirus◦ Salmonella infection◦ Worms

Bodily fluids◦ Hepatitis B and C◦ HIV

Direct Contact Insect to Person

◦Malaria◦Dengue fever◦West Nile Virus

Environment to Person◦Meningitis (amoebic)◦Tetanus

Animal to Person◦Rabies◦Toxoplasmosis

Ways Diseases Spread Cont.Foodborne

◦ Spread from dirty hands to mouth

◦ Bad Food◦ Undercooked Food◦ Unsanitary

Cooking environment

Waterborne

BotulismCholeraListeria infectionSalmonella

infectionTyphoid

Infection vs. DiseaseInfection is the first step, and

occurs when the bacteria, viruses, or other microbes cause disease to enter your body and begin to multiply.

Disease occurs when cells in your body are damaged as a result of the infection and signs and symptoms of an illness appear

Our DefensesImmune System- In response to

infections, white blood cells, antibodies, and other mechanisms go to work to rid your body of the infection. ◦Ex. Common Cold- Fever, coughing,

sneezingVaccines and Immunizations

◦ShotsHand WashingDon’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth

Proper Hand Washing Wet hands with clean, running

water and apply soap.Lather hands by rubbing together

◦ front & back of hands, in between fingers and under finger nails

Scrub for at least 20 secondsRinse under clean, running waterDry hands with a clean towel or

air dry them

Preventing IllnessWash your hands regularlyKeep your hands away from eyes,

nose, and mouthCover your coughs and sneezesDisinfect common areas often

◦Keyboards, doorknobs, light switches, etc.Stay home when you are sickMake healthy choices to keep

immune system strong◦Exercise and diet