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Questions and Answers
Is fatigue a sign or symptom of diseases?
Why do people need updated flu vaccines each year?
What is the difference between the stomach flu and the flu?
Which of the following is a viral disease?
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How does antibiotic resistance contribute to the reemergence of diseases?
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Which of the following helps spread respiratory diseases?
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What role do people who are sick with the flu have in spreading the disease?
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Which factor is NOT likely to affect vaccination rates in a given country or region?
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Which of the following populations is at higher risk for flu complications?
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Why are measles cases rising in unvaccinated populations?
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Study Notes
Recognizing Communicable Diseases
- Communicable diseases have distinct signs and symptoms, which are evidence of disease that can be observed or experienced.
- Signs include fever, abnormal pulse in a resting state, and/or breathing rate.
Respiratory Diseases
- Respiratory diseases primarily affect the respiratory system.
- Symptoms of respiratory diseases include a runny or sore throat, coughing, and sneezing.
Common Cold
- The common cold affects millions of people in the US each year.
- It is usually caused by the rhinovirus, which is spread through tiny droplets in the air when people cough and sneeze.
- Symptoms include a sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, and body aches.
- Most people recover from the common cold within 10 days.
Influenza (The Flu)
- Influenza is the eighth leading cause of death in the US.
- It affects people of all ages, especially older people, young children, and people with chronic conditions.
- The flu is caused by two types of influenza virus, type A and type B.
- The flu spreads through infected people when they cough, sneeze, or talk.
- Symptoms include a runny or sore throat, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and weakness or exhaustion.
Pneumonia
- Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria or viruses.
- Around one million children under five years of age die from pneumonia each year.
- In the US, pneumonia is the leading cause of death from infectious disease among children less than 5 years old.
- Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Strep Throat
- Strep throat is caused by the Streptococcus bacterium.
- It is characterized by a painful sore throat and swollen, tender tonsils.
- Strep throat is contagious and spreads through droplets released during coughing and sneezing.
Stomach Flu
- The stomach flu is not related to influenza.
- It is an infection of the intestines caused by the norovirus.
- Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- The stomach flu spreads through food and water, and can also be contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water.
Athlete's Foot
- Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that commonly affects the skin between the toes or around the groin (called jock itch).
- It is caused by a fungus that lives on moist surfaces.
- Athlete's foot spreads through skin contact and can grow on moist floors in showers, gyms, locker rooms, and pool decks.
Pinkeye
- Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) is an infection of the surface of the eye.
- It is usually caused by bacteria or viruses that infect the surface of the eye and inner lining of the eyelid.
- Pinkeye is highly contagious and easily transmitted through touch.
- Symptoms include red, itchy, and watery eyes.
Impetigo and MRSA
- Impetigo is a superficial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS).
- It is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact and fomites.
- Symptoms include localized pain, warmth, redness, and the formation of vesicles and pustules that may become crusted.
- MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a dangerous infection caused by a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin and other commonly used antibiotics.
- MRSA can cause a range of infections, from minor skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening bloodstream infections.
Mononucleosis
- Mononucleosis is an infection of white blood cells called mononuclear cells, usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a herpesvirus.
- The disease is spread through saliva and sometimes other body fluids such as semen or blood.
- Symptoms usually develop 4 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus and include fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and a swollen spleen.
Meningitis
- Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- It can cause brain damage, disability, and even death.
- Most cases of meningitis in the US are viral, but certain kinds of bacteria, fungi, and parasites can also cause meningitis.
- Symptoms include severe headache, fever, chills, stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, and sensitivity to light.
Hepatitis
- Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and can be caused by a virus, alcohol abuse, and certain medications.
- Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types.
- Hepatitis A is spread through contact with food and water contaminated with feces from an infected person.
- Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, such as semen, saliva, and vaginal secretions.
- Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood.
Tetanus
- Tetanus is a bacterial infection that affects the nerves and muscles.
- It is caused by a toxin that interferes with the nerves that control muscle contractions.
- Tetanus can be fatal if not treated promptly.
- Tetanus is found in soil, dust, and animal feces.
- People can get tetanus through deep wounds, scratches, and animal bites.
- Symptoms include lockjaw, stiff neck, difficulty swallowing, and muscle spasms.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Communicable diseases can affect small or large populations.
- An epidemic is a disease that occurs in unexpectedly large numbers over a particular area.
- A pandemic is a disease that spreads to much of the world.
- An endemic infection is one that naturally occurs at low levels in a particular area.
- Emerging infectious diseases are communicable diseases that are new or increasing unexpectedly.
- Examples of emerging infectious diseases include Zika virus, Heartland virus, Bourbon virus, and alpha-gal allergy.
Changing Environments and Climates
- Many insect-borne diseases are growing, partly because insects and ticks are spreading to new regions.
- At least three new tick-borne diseases have been discovered, including Heartland virus and Bourbon virus.
- Scientists are carefully monitoring these diseases.
- Changing weather conditions have also caused mosquitoes to spread and carry diseases to new regions.
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Description
Identify and differentiate between various communicable diseases, including their signs, symptoms, and impact on public health.
