AIRBORNE DISEASES Airborne diseases are diseases which are caused by pathogenic microbial agents and transmitted through the air.

These viruses and bacteria can be aerosolized through coughing, sneezing, laughing or through close personal contact.

These pathogens ride on either dust particles or small respiratory droplets and can stay suspended in air and or are capable of traveling distances on air currents.

Many common infections can spread by airborne transmission including: Anthrax (inhalational), Chickenpox, Influenza, Measles, Smallpox and Tuberculosis.

PREVENTION & SYMPTOMS PREVENTION: The best way to prevent attracting airborne diseases is to stay away from anyone who is affected, washing your hands regularly, and covering up your sneezes and coughs. This will reduce the risk of bacteria and pathogenic microbial agents entering your body through the air.

SYMPTOMS: Airborne diseases can be as minor as the common cold or the typical flu. Symptoms would include: Coughing, sneezing, sinus congestion, itchy and watery eyes, sore throat, and fatigue. More serious diseases such as the ones listed above have more severe symptoms.

CHICKENPOX

Chickenpox or chicken pox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). Usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head.

Chickenpox is an airborne disease spread easily through coughing or sneezing of ill individuals or through direct contact with secretions from the rash.

It takes from 10 to 21 days after contact with an infected person for someone to develop chickenpox.

Vaccine: A varicella vaccine was first developed by Michiaki Takahashi in 1974 derived from the Oka strain.

CHICKENPOX

A single blister, typical during the early stages of the rash

The back of a 30-year-old male, taken on day 5 of the rash

CHICKENPOX

Chickenpox: rash mostly on the torso is characteristic of chickenpox

BURNS

A burn is a type of injury to flesh caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction.

Burns affect only the skin (epidermal tissue and dermis). Rarely, deeper tissues, such as muscle, bone, and blood vessels can also be injured.

Burns may be treated with first aid, in an out-of-hospital setting, or may require more specialized treatment such as those available at specialized burn centers.

Three degrees of Burns

Burns can be classified by mechanism of injury, depth, extent and associated injuries

DEPTH OF BURN

Partial thickness burn =

involves epidermis

Deep partial thickness =

involves dermis

Full thickness =involves all of

skin