Communicable Diseases

Communicable DiseasesDisease UnitThe Threat of Infection:Population crowding Easy travel also make us more vulnerableAntibiotic Resistant

Conjunctivitis-Pink Eye-BacterialThe cause of pink eye is commonly a bacterial or viral infection, an allergic reactionRedness in one or both eyesItchiness in one or both eyesA gritty feeling in one or both eyesA discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the nightTearing

Tuberculosis (TB)-Bacterial Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that primarily affects your lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.CoughUnexplained weight lossFatigueFeverNight sweatsChillsLoss of appetite

Tuberculosis was once rare in developed countries, but the number of TB cases began increasing in 1985. Part of the increase was caused by the emergence of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV weakens a person's immune system so it can't fight the TB germs.Many strains of tuberculosis can resist the effects of the drugs most commonly used to treat the disease. People who have active tuberculosis must take several different types of medications together for many months to eradicate the infection and prevent development of antibiotic resistance.5Influenza (The Flu):5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets the flumore than200,000people are hospitalizedabout36,000people dieSome people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at increased risk for serious complications from seasonal flu illness.

Spread person to person through coughing or sneezing of people. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 daybeforesymptoms develop and up to 5-7 daysafterbecoming sick.That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

6Influenza: Symptoms of seasonal flu include:fever (often high)headacheextreme tirednessdry coughsore throatrunny or stuffy nosemuscle achesStomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

H1N1 Flu:2009 H1N1 (sometimes called swine flu) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. WHO Declared H1N1 a pandemic in 2009

H1N1 Symptoms:The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus in people include:FeverCoughSore throatRunny or stuffy noseBody achesHeadacheChillsFatigueVomiting Diarrhea

Measles-ViralAlso called rubeola, measles can be serious and even fatal for small children. While death rates have been falling worldwide as more children receive the measles vaccine, the disease still kills several hundred thousand people a year, most under the age of 5.FeverDry coughRunny noseInflamed eyes (conjunctivitis)Sensitivity to lightA skin rash made up of large, flat blotches that often flow into one another

Chicken Pox-ViralWhen chickenpox does occur, it's highly contagious among people who aren't immune. Most people think of chickenpox as a mild disease and, for most, it is.A red, itchy rash, initially resembling insect bites, on your face, scalp, chest and backSmall, liquid-filled blisters that break open and crust overFeverAbdominal pain or loss of appetiteMild headacheGeneral feeling of unease and discomfort (malaise) or irritabilityA dry coughHeadacheThe chickenpox rash goes through these three phases:Raised pink or red bumps (papules), which break out in different spots over several daysFluid-filled blisters (vesicles), forming from the raised bumps over about one day before breaking and leakingCrusts and scabs, which cover the broken blisters and take several more days to heal12

Athletes Foot-FungiAthlete's foot, is the most common type of fungal infection. It's closely related to other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch. Although contagious, athlete's foot often can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications.Itching, stinging and burning between your toes soles of your feetItchy blistersCracking and peeling skin, especially between your toes and on the soles of your feetExcessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feetToenails that are thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored or pulling away from the nail bed

Jock Itch-Fungi Jock itch is a fungal infection that affects the skin of your genitals, inner thighs and buttocks. Itching and redness in your groin, including your genitals, inner thighs and buttocksPossible itching in your anal areaBurning sensation in affected areasFlaking, peeling or cracking skin in your groinMalaria-ProtozoaMalaria produces recurrent attacks of chills and fever. Caused by a parasite that's transmitted by mosquitoes, malaria kills about 1 million people each year worldwide. Common in tropics. Moderate to severe shaking chillsHigh feverProfuse sweating as body temperature falls

Pinworms-Parasite Pinworm infection is the most common type of intestinal worm infection in the United States. Pinworms are thin and white, measuring about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch (5 to 13 millimeters) in length.Itching of the anal or vaginal areaInsomnia, irritability and restlessnessIntermittent abdominal pain and nauseaWhile the infected person sleeps, female pinworms lay thousands of eggs in the folds of skin surrounding the anus. While most people infected with pinworms have no symptoms, some people experience anal itching and restless sleep.Pinworm infection occurs most frequently in school-age children, and the microscopic eggs are easily spread from child to child especially if children scratch their bottoms or neglect to wash their hands after using the bathroom or before eating.19

Tapeworms-ParasiteTapeworm infection is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae. If you ingest certain tapeworm eggs, they can migrate outside your intestines and form cysts in body tissues and organNauseaWeakness Loss of appetiteAbdominal painDiarrheaWeight loss and inadequate absorption of nutrients from food