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.

Test your knowledge on communicable diseases such as smallpox, chickenpox, and measles. This quiz covers transmission methods, symptoms, and the history of these infectious diseases. Enhance your understanding of how these diseases spread and their effects on public health.