Question
Question: List 4 ways of spreading communicable disease and give 2 examples in each case....
List 4 ways of spreading communicable disease and give 2 examples in each case.
Solution
A communicable disease is one that is transmitted by a number of means from one human to another, including: contact with blood and body fluids; breathing in an infectious virus; or being bitten by an insect.
Complete answer:
Method of transmission:
Transmission of communicable diseases is a complex method. The method depends on the following:
Interaction between the agent (microorganism) of the host (person) and the environment (conditions present).
In order to have a communicable disease, the following conditions must be present:
a. A micro-organism of adequate intensity (virulence).
b. An individual who is susceptible (lower immunity).
c. An area that facilitates the transmission of the agent.
How these diseases propagate depends on a single disease or an infectious agent. There are several ways in which communicable diseases spread:
| Reason of spread | Disease |
|---|---|
| Physical contact with an infected person. | Sexual intercourse (gonorrhoea, HIV), faecal / oral transmission (hepatitis A), or droplets (influenza, TB) such as contact (staphylococcus), |
| Contaminated surface or substance | (Norwalk virus), food (Salmonella, E. coli), blood (HIV, hepatitis B) or water (cholera); |
| Insect bites or animals that are able to transmit the disease | (mosquitoes: malaria and yellow fever; flea: plague) |
| Travel through the air | Like tuberculosis or measles. |
Transmission Types:
1. Direct transmission – occurs when an infectious agent reaches the receptive portal, i.e. by direct contact, such as: rubbing, hugging, chewing, or projecting air droplets through sneezing, laughing, spitting, coughing.
2. Indirect transmission – occurs when an infectious agent is deposited in infected items or products, i.e., toys, dirt clothing, bedding, cooking or eating utensils, food , water.
Note: Prevention and Monitoring Steps are as follows:
a. Compliance of immunisation laws and practise of universal precautions / bloodborne pathogen procedures in accordance with the policy of the School Board and the OSHA Regulations.
b. Ongoing health education in the fields of disease prevention, sanitation programmes for pupils, families and school staff.
c. Implement successful hand washing procedures.
d. Implementation of case isolation and successful treatment.