Communicable Diseases Quiz

Communicable Diseases

• Smallpox: A highly infectious disease caused by the variola virus.
• Incubation period: 11-14 days.
• Transmission: Airborne or droplet.
• Rash pattern: Centrifugal (appears first on extremities, then spreads to the center of the body).
• Last case globally: October 26, 1977 (Somalia).
• Eradication declared: May 8, 1980 (WHO).

Chickenpox

• Caused by the varicella-zoster virus (human herpesvirus 3).
• Symptoms: Fever, malaise, aches.
• Transmission: Droplet.
• Infective period: 1-2 days before rash, 4-5 days after.
• Incubation period: 14-16 days (sometimes 10-21 days).
• Rash pattern: Centripetal (appears first on the torso and face, then spreads to the extremities).
• Complications: Hemorrhage, pneumonia, Reye's syndrome.

Measles

• Caused by the RNA measles virus.
• Transmission: Droplet/direct contact.
• Infective period: 5 days before and 5 days after rash.
• Incubation period: 10-14 days.
• Symptoms: Fever, cough, sneezing, runny nose, rash.
• Key sign: Koplik's spots (small bluish-white spots on the inside of the cheeks).
• Complications: Diarrhoea, pneumonia, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE).

Rubella

• Also known as German measles or three-day measles.
• Caused by the RNA Rubella virus.
• Transmission: Droplet, vertical (mother to fetus).
• Incubation period: 14-21 days.
• Symptoms: Mild fever, cough, sore throat, lymph node enlargement, rash.
• Complications: Congenital rubella syndrome if contracted during pregnancy.

Roseola

• Caused by human herpesvirus 6A & 6B or HHV-7.
• Transmission: Saliva.
• Symptoms: Fever, rash.

Mumps

• Acute infectious viral disease caused by mumps virus.
• Transmission: Respiratory droplets or saliva.
• Incubation period: 14-21 days.
• Key symptom: Swelling of the parotid glands (inflammation).
• Complications: Aseptic meningitis (infants), orchitis (adolescents).

Swine Flu

• Caused by H1N1 virus (avian influenza).
• Transmission: Droplet.
• Incubation period: 1-4 days.
• Symptoms: Fever, cough, chills, sore throat, aches.

Diphtheria

• Acute bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae.
• Transmission: Droplet/contaminated objects.
• Symptoms: Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, pseudomembrane formation.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

• Bacterial respiratory infection caused by Bordetella pertussis.
• Transmission: Droplet/contaminated objects.
• Incubation period: 7-14 days.
• Stages: Catarrhal, paroxysmal, convalescent.
• Symptoms: Persistent coughing fits, inspiratory "whoop."

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Transmission: Droplet/airborne.
• Incubation period: Weeks to months.
• Symptoms: Low-grade fever, chronic cough, weight loss.
• Diagnosis: Sputum microscopy, Mantoux test, chest X-ray.
• Treatment: Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS)

Meningococcal Meningitis

• Bacterial disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis.
• Transmission: Droplet.
• Symptoms: Headache, stiff neck, fever.

Poliomyelitis

• Viral infection caused by poliovirus.
• Transmission: Fecal-oral.
• Incubation period: 7-21 days.
• Symptoms: Varying severity, possible paralysis.

Hepatitis

• Viral infections of the liver.
• Types: A, B, C, D, E.
• Transmission varies by type (fecal-oral, bloodborne, sexual contact).

Typhoid Fever

• Bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi.
• Transmission: Fecal-oral.
• Incubation period: 10-14 days.
• Symptoms: High fever, chills, malaise, headache.

Dengue Fever

• Viral infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
• Symptoms: High fever, headaches, muscle pain, rash.
• Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF): Severe form with plasma leakage, potential shock; potentially fatal.
• Dengue shock syndrome: Severe DHF presentation.

Malaria

• Protozoan disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Causative agent: Plasmodium spp.
• Symptoms: Fever, chills, anaemia.

Leprosy

• Chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
• Transmission: Prolonged close contact.
• Symptoms: Skin lesions, nerve damage.

Lymphatic Filariasis

• Mosquito-borne parasitic disease.
• Causative agent: Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi.
• Symptoms: Lymphangitis, elephantiasis.

Japanese Encephalitis

• Viral disease transmitted by Culex mosquitoes.
• Symptoms: Fever, headache, neurological symptoms.

Acute Diarrheal Diseases

• Loose, watery stools more than three times a day.
• Causes: Viral, bacterial, parasitic.
• Complications: Dehydration, malnutrition.
• Treatment: Oral rehydration therapy (ORS).

Food Poisoning

• Illness resulting from ingestion of contaminated food.
• Causes: Bacteria, toxins.
• Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

AIDS

• Disease caused by HIV infection.
• Transmission: Sexual contact, blood, mother-to-child.
• Symptoms: Various, dependent on stage of infection.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Infections transmitted primarily through sexual activity.
• Causative agents: Bacteria, viruses, parasites.
• Signs and symptoms can vary.

SARS

• Severe respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus.