COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

• Communicable Disease- a disease that is spread from one living thing to another through the environment.

• Pathogen – an organism that causes disease.

• Infection – a condition that occurs when pathogens enter the body, multiply and damage body cells.

VirusesViruses

• Viruses-Viruses- pieces of pieces of genetic material genetic material surrounded by a surrounded by a protein coat.protein coat.

• *Inactive, need living cells*Inactive, need living cells

• *Multiply in cells, then burst *Multiply in cells, then burst into other cells.into other cells.

• *Usually killed by immune *Usually killed by immune systemsystem

• *Antibiotics do not work*Antibiotics do not work

• Examples:Examples:• *Common cold*Common cold

• *Influenza (flu)*Influenza (flu)

• *Viral pneumonia*Viral pneumonia

• *Viral hepatitis*Viral hepatitis

• *Polio*Polio

• *Mononucleosis*Mononucleosis

• *Measles*Measles

• *AIDS*AIDS

• *Chicken Pox*Chicken Pox

• *Herpes*Herpes

• *Rabies*Rabies

BacteriaBacteria

Bacteria-Bacteria- single-single-celled microorganismscelled microorganisms

Live everywhereLive everywhere Most harmlessMost harmless Can produce a Can produce a toxin –toxin – a a

substance that kills cells substance that kills cells or interferes with their or interferes with their functionsfunctions

Treated with antibiotics – Treated with antibiotics – a class of chemical agents that a class of chemical agents that destroy disease causing micro-destroy disease causing micro-organisms while leaving the organisms while leaving the patient unharmed –either kill patient unharmed –either kill bacteria or prevent it from bacteria or prevent it from reproducingreproducing

Examples:Examples: Strep throatStrep throat TuberculosisTuberculosis DiptheriaDiptheria GonorrheaGonorrhea Lyme diseaseLyme disease PinkeyePinkeye Bacterial pneumoniaBacterial pneumonia Bacterial meningitisBacterial meningitis

Other Pathogens:Other Pathogens:

• Fungi – plantlike organisms such as mold or yeasts

• Protozoans – single-celled organisms that are larger and more complex than bacteria

• Rickettsias – pathogens that resemble bacteria usually enter the body through bites.

Transmission

• Direct Contact• Indirect Contact• Contaminated objects• Vectors• Water and Food• Airborne Transmission

PREVENTION:PREVENTION:

Washing handsWashing hands Handling Food ProperlyHandling Food Properly Balanced DietBalanced Diet Avoid sharingAvoid sharing Proper Food StorageProper Food Storage Unnecessary Contact with people who are Unnecessary Contact with people who are

illill VaccinationsVaccinations AbstinenceAbstinence