What are communicable diseases?

1. What are communicable diseases? *Diseases that are spread from one person to the next *Diseases that are “catching” *Diseases that are caused by germs or pathogens Examples of pathogens include: viruses, bacteria, protozoa, parasitic worms and fungi Examples of common communicable diseases… Cold Flu PneumoniaHepatitis MononucleosisSTD’s HIV/AIDS

2. How communicable diseases are spread: Direct Contact: Exposure to infected body fluids such as blood or saliva. Vectors/Reservoirs: Germs are spread by an animal or insect, usually through a bite Airborne: Germs are spread through the air, for example when someone coughs or sneezes. Food and Water: Food and water can become contaminated with germs and people can get sick when they eat or drink them. Indirect contact: Pathogens remain on surfaces that were in contact with an infected person.

3. Protect Yourself! Wash your hands! Don't share food, drinks or personal items! Get vaccinated! Stay home if have a fever or are infectious! Be smart about food prep!

4. The common COLD Virus – more than 200 types including rhinoviruses and corona viruses can cause the cold Cause- sore, scratchy throat, sneezing, and a runny nose. Other symptoms that may occur later include headache, stuffy nose, watering eyes, hacking cough, chills, and general sick-feeling lasting from 2 to 7 days. Some cases may last for two weeks. Symptoms- Bed rest, drink lots of fluids, medication to treat the symptoms. There is NO CURE Treatments-

5. Cause- Respiratory illness caused several different viruses • Tiredness • Cough • Sore throat • Fever • Aches and chills • Headache Symptoms- The FLU Complications of the flu… Bronchitis, pneumonia, can cause death in high risk groups (people with chronic disease, infants and the elderly) Fluids and bed rest Medication like Tylenol to bring the fever down and relieve symptoms Treatment: Prevention: get the flu vaccine

6. H1N1 (aka:The Swine Flu) H1N1 is a new strain of the flu virusthat is a combination of flu viruses that affect pigs, birds and humans. • Symptoms: • Fever • Cough • Sore throat • Body aches • Headaches • tiredness *Some people also have vomiting and diarrhea If you have any of these symptoms you should seek medical treatment right away! Your doctor may give you an antiviral medication like tamiflu, which help to make the symptoms milder. Treatment: Rest! Drink lots of fluids, especially if you have diarrhea! Stay home from school if you have a fever, and limit your contact with others Did you know that this flu virus affects children and teens more than other flu viruses do… Prevention- Get the H1N1 Vaccine AND….

7. Preventing colds and the flu... • Cover your nose and mouthwith a tissue when you cough or sneeze—throw the tissue away after you use it. • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. • Stay away as much as you can from people who are sick. • If you get the flu, stay home from work or school. If you are sick, do not go near other people so that you don't make them sick too. Do not return to school until your doctor says you can! • Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs often spread this way. • Do not share drinks, food, lip gloss…..

8. How are the cold and the flu different???? • Caused by DIFFERENT Viruses (more than 200 for the cold, only a few for the flu) • The flu comes on more QUICKLY • Some of the symptoms are different…. • with the flu there is usually a high fever, aches and chills • The flu is more serious, and can be deadly • There is a vaccine to prevent the flu • (seasonal and H1N1)

9. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death • Transmission (how do you get it??) • Contact with the body fluids of an infected person • *Sexual contact *Blood to Blood contact Treatment-Bed rest, medications, do not drink alcohol • Symptoms: • Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin) • Tiredness and weakness • Weight loss, loss of appetite • Abdominal pain Prevention: vaccine, do not share needles, abstinence (no sex or drugs!)

10. an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Pneumonia • fever • chills • cough • unusually rapid breathing • breathing with grunting or • wheezing sounds • labored breathing • vomiting • chest pain • abdominal pain • decreased activity Symptoms Treatments : antibiotics(bacterial) antiviral medications bed rest Prevention: vaccine * don’t share food or drink, or be around sick people

11. Mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosis is sometimes called "mono" or "the kissing disease“. It is an infection usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Facts About Mono: • constant fatigue • fever • sore throat • loss of appetite • swollen lymph nodes headaches • sore muscles • larger-than-normal liver or spleen • skin rash • abdominal pain • Not everyone who is exposed to EBV gets sick • Once you have it, you will carry the virus for the rest of your life, although you probably will not get sick from it again! Symptoms How do I get it? Treatment: • Kissing someone who has it • Sharing food, drink, utensils, toothbrushes No cure…bed rest, fever reducing medications, treat other symptoms, people usually get better in 3-4 weeks

12. An itchy rash of spots that look like blisters can appear all over the body and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Cause: Varicella-Zoster Virus Chicken Pox Symptoms: Rash of bumpy fluid filled red bumps that can rupture and scab over. This rash is very itchy. Other symptoms include a fever, abdominal pain, sore throat, and headache (last 5-7 days on average) Treatments: No cure/symptoms can be treated . Prevention: Varicella Vaccine