Communicable Diseases I Christiew Handle Order Identify

Communicable Diseases

I Christiew handle order Identify a communicable disease research.

(i.e HIV, Herpes) Communicable diseases rely fluid exchange, contaminated substances, close contact travel infected carrier a healthy individual.

Communicable diseases

Communicable diseases are also known as infectious diseases, contagious diseases or transmissible disease. They arise from an infection which is the presence and growth of pathogenic agents in a host organism. These pathogenic agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, some parasites, and some deviant proteins known as prions. These agents cause disease epidemics, and if the pathogen is eliminated, the epidemic does not occur.

Transmission of communicable diseases occurs in many ways including physical contact, contaminated food, body fluids, infected objects, airborne inhalation, through vector organisms. Examples of Communicable diseases are Herpes and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV is a member of the retrovirus family. It causes a condition known as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). It is a condition seen in humans where there is a gradual failure of one's immunity and life-threatening opportunistic infection end up thriving.

The major routes of transmission of HIV are unprotected sex with a person who is infected, through breast milk, transmission from an infected mother to her baby during delivery, use of contaminated needles, contact with the blood of an infected person, transmission through blood transfusions or from infected blood products but this has been eliminated by ensuring that blood is screened before transfusion.

Herpes

This is a viral disease caused by the Herpes Virus. Infection with the herpes virus is classified according to the site of manifestation. Herpes Simplex type 1 also known as the Oral herpes appears as a sore on the mouth. The second type is Herpes Simplex type 2 which causes Genital herpes. It is a sexually transmitted disease. It can also be spread through kissing. There is also the HIV related herpes which manifests after someone's immunity has been compromised by HIV. This appears if the herpes virus has been dormant in the body then when the immunity is low, the outbreak occurs.

Of the people infected with genital herpes, around 10-25% do not know that they are infected. This is because genital herpes often produces very mild symptoms or totally asymptomatic. As a result, many cases go undiagnosed and people end up passing the virus to their sexual partners unknowinglyGupta R, Warren T, & Wald A, 2007()

Control of these diseases

The public health department has a mission of providing leadership in controlling the spread of communicable diseases. It works with communities and other partners in surveillance, research, monitoring and evaluation of the diseases. For example, the number of people infected or living with HIV is increasing with each new day, and effective new drugs have been discovered to keep HIV-infected persons healthy for longer and also reduce the death rate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006()

Prevention of the spread of HIV and Herpes is done by encouraging people to get tested, use of protection while having sexual interactions, having one sexual partner and also protection of unborn children from contracting the disease at birth from an infected mother and use of antiviral drugs. Protection of medical staff also prevents the spread of both diseases. This is a global requirement where medics are encouraged to use gloves and protective gears like masks when handling all patients. For both diseases, vaccines are not available, but they are undergoing trials.

Influence of environmental factors, lifestyles and socioeconomic status

Both HIV and Herpes being sexually transmitted diseases have a certain relationship with the lifestyle of the people who contract the disease. It has shown that people who practice anal sex have a higher risk of contracting the infection. The same applies to people with multiple sexual partners' e.g. commercial sex workers. The HIV / AIDS epidemic is regarded as a socioeconomic problem. The HIV epidemic seems to be influenced by factors that include poverty, cultural aspects e.g. religion and traditions. Very little has been put forth on the influence of environmental factors e.g. weather, policies, physical structures, transportation on HIV or herpesNichols L. et al., 2009()