Communicable Diseases

A communicable disease is a disease that is spread from one person to another or from animals to people. Some communicable diseases can be spread through contact, transmitted through the air, or body fluids. The severity of the diseases can vary from mild to severe or deadly.

There are some precautions that can be taken in order to prevent the spread of a communicable disease. One way to avoid getting a communicable disease is through vaccination. It is recommended by the American Public Health Organization that all children, teens, and adults stay up to date on recommended vaccinations. Other preventative steps include the following:

1. Thoroughly washing hands before eating, after using the restroom, and occasionally throughout the day.
2. Avoid unclean water and improperly prepared foods.
3. Don't go out in public if you have a communicable disease.

The "cold" is one of the most common types of communicable diseases. The common cold is a virus that affects an estimated one billion people every year. Another common communicable disease is gastroenteritis. This is a disease that is contracted by sharing contaminated food utensils or other physical contact. When these viruses strike they can stick around for up to ten days. The most common causes of gastroenteritis are the rotavirus and the norovirus.

Strep throat and pink eye are both very contagious communicable diseases. Both of these diseases can affect people of any age, but are more common in the younger population. It is important to promptly seek medical care if one suspects they have contracted either one of these diseases for proper treatments, which should include the prescribing of an antibiotic.

Elements to Include in a Communicable Disease Research Project

With the increased mobility of human populations, diseases can quickly spread around the world. In addition, changes in vaccination practices have indicated an increase in communicable diseases that were once thought to be under control. These global health issues present new problems for community health officials. Choose one of the communicable diseases listed below to complete the following task:

1. Analyze the selected communicable disease outbreak by doing the following:
   1. Describe the communicable disease outbreak.
      
   2. Describe the epidemiological indicators associated with the identified disease.
      
   3. Analyze the epidemiological data on the outbreak.
      
2. Discuss the route of transmission of the disease causing the outbreak.
   
3. Create a graphic representation of the outbreak’s international pattern of movement or possible movement.
   
4. Discuss how the outbreak could affect your community.

This analysis should include epidemiological data, causes and manifestations of the disease, and route of transmission.