INFECTIOUS AND NON-INFECTIOUS DISEASES

By Olivia Tan

CHICKEN POXInfectious Disease – Case Study

Cause and Transmission

• Fever, headache, sore throat or stomach ache

• Red, itchy skin rash appears all over the body

• Small, red bumps appear on the rash

• The blister walls of the bumps break which crust over and become scabs

Symptoms

• Chicken pox is caused by the varicella-zoster (VZV).

• The chickenpox is a very contagious virus that spreads through the air (by coughing and sneezing) and by direct contact with mucus, saliva or fluid from blisters.

TREATMENT • An antiviral medicine may be

prescribed in some cases • Anti-itch lotion and oatmeal baths

are used to aid the discomfort of the rash

• In most chickenpox infections special medical treatment is not requiredPREVENTION

• The chickenpox vaccine is 99% effective at preventing the VZV infection

• To keep the virus from spreading from those who already infected, washing hands before eating and after going to the bathroom are hygiene regimes to prevent the spread of the disease.

Time Age Place

The largest number of cases occur in winter and early Spring.

Chicken pox is one of the most common viral infections in children.

Most children become infected between the ages of 6 and 10.

Chicken pox is a worldwide disease but is fairly common in the US, with 150,000 to 200,000 cases reported every year

INCIDENCE

BREAST CANCERNon Infectious Disease – Case Study

Cause and Transmission

• A new lump or lumpiness on the breast or armpit

• A change in shape or size on the breast

• Crusting, ulcer, redness or inversion of the nipple

• A nipple discharge• Change in the skin of the breast

such as redness or dimpling• An unusual pain that doesn’t go

away

Symptoms

• Breast cancer is caused by abnormal cell growth in the breast in an uncontrolled way.

TREATMENT • Surgery to remove part or all of

the affected breasts, and removal of one or more lymph nodes from the armpit

• Radiotherapy and chemotherapy

PREVENTION

• Early detection and ensuring to undergo regular breast check-ups

• Aiming for a healthy diet, physical activity and control of alcohol intake, overweight and obesity, could reduce the risk of breast cancer in the long run.

INCIDENCE

Bibliography

• Chicken Pox, 2013, The Nemours Foundation, accessed 27 November 2013, <http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/chicken_pox.html#>.

• Chicken Pox, 2013, Arboris Limited, accessed 27 November 2013, <http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/chickenpox.html>.

• Bunch, B (ed.) 1997, Diseases: Bones-Dermatitis, Grolier Educational, Sherman Turnpike, Danbury, United States.

Chicken Pox

Breast Cancer

• Breast Cancer, 2013, Australian Government - Cancer Australia, accessed 27 November 2013, <http://canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/breast-cancer>.

• Breast Cancer: Prevention and Control, 2013, World Health Organization, accessed 27 November 2013, <http://www.who.int/cancer/detection/breastcancer/en/index3.html>.

• Healey, J (ed.) 2006, Cancer Awareness, The Spinney Press, Thirroul NSW Australia.