Communicable Diseases
A communicable disease is one transmitted by direct, indirect, airborne
or waterborne contact. Direct contact is person-to-person; indirect contact
is via an inanimate object.
Communicable disease rates go up and down in every community. Cases can
appear in epidemic proportion one year, only to fall to just a few cases
the next. You should always be alert to the communicable diseases common
in your community.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
- Wash your hands several times a day and especially after coming into contact with any secretions of a student.
- If you are pregnant or have any chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, cancer, heart disease), get advice from your physician on protecting yourself from exposure.
- Don't share personal items such as combs, towels, cups, etc., with students.
- Try to increase ventilation in your classroom as much as possible by opening a window and/or doors. Increased air can reduce the concentration of airborne germs and, therefore, greatly reduce your risk of infection. Reduced ventilation explains why people get more colds in the winter.
- Get an annual tuberculosis (TB) test, especially if you work in a high-risk area.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMUNICABLE DISEASES?
Hepatitis A — This is the only type of hepatitis
that is a communicable disease. It occurs mostly in children, who usually
don't exhibit the symptoms found in adults, which may include nausea, fatigue,
abdominal pain, light stools, dark urine, appetite loss, diarrhea, fever
and jaundice.
Hepatitis A is spread by eating items co
ntaminated with infected feces,
raw or partly cooked shellfish from contaminated water or foods contaminated
during handling and by drinking water or ice contaminated by raw sewage.
The virus has an incubation period of about 30 days and the symptoms last
from 6 to 12 months. It also is contracted by coming in close contact with
people who live in areas with poor sanitation, traveling or working in developing
countries, engaging in oral sex and using intravenous drugs.
You can protect yourself by careful hand washing after toileting your students
and by getting an immune globulin shot after coming into close contact with
an infect-ed person. Should this disease be contracted once, then there will
be lifetime immunity.
Fifth disease — A mild childhood disease with symptoms of a facial
rash or slapped-cheek appearance. Most of us were infected with the virus
in childhood. However, adults who are recently infected may be at risk for
temporary “arthritis” (joint inflammation) or chronic anemia. There
also may be a risk of fetal death for newly infected pregnant workers.
Impetigo — a highly contagious skin infection, common among children,
appearing as a cluster of raised bumps filled with fluid and often pus. The
disease is spread through direct contact with sores of an infected person
and through contaminated towels and toilet articles.
Influenza (flu) — A highly contagious viral infection of the nose,
throat, bronchial tubes and lungs that includes many strains; new ones emerge
every year. Everyone is susceptible. It's spread through droplets from the
nose and throat of an infected person. Symptoms may include fever, chills,
coughing, and body aches and headaches. The symptoms usually last a few days,
but they can lead to pneumonia, hospitalization and even death. Immunizations
are available to prevent or limit the illness, but because new strains emerge
each year, the effectiveness of the vaccine can vary.
Lice (Pediculosis) — An infection of the hairy parts of the body
or clothing with the eggs, larvae or adults of lice (head lice, body lice,
pubic lice, cooties and crabs.) Easily transmitted to anyone by direct contact.
Usually found in the sexually active, or individuals from crowded, unsanitary
conditions in contact with infrequently changed or laundered clothing or
bedding. The lice cause itching in the area where they feed, leading to scratching — sometimes
intense enough to create a secondary bacterial infection. The lice are killed
with medicated shampoos or cream rinses.
Ringworm — A general name for several fungal skin diseases. Most
common is ringworm of the scalp, which produces scaly patches of temporary
baldness, and ringworm of the body that is characterized by flat ring-shaped
sores. Direct skin-to-skin contact, along with indirect contact with personal
items such as hats, combs and towels, can transmit the fungus. Ringworm can
lead to other, more serious, bacterial infections if not treated promptly.
Scabies — A common infectious skin disease caused by
the scabies mite, which burrows into the skin and creates itchy pimple-like irritations.
Anyone can get scabies through direct skin-to-skin contact with infected
individuals and their belongings. Scabies is treated with skin lotions, which
kill the mite.
Tuberculosis — TB is a serious infectious lung disease caused by
germs that damage the lungs. Individuals with active TB spread it through
coughing, sneezing or talking, which release droplets of the bacteria into
the air. Anyone who breathes these germs into their lungs can become infected,
but healthy people seldom become sick. Usually TB can be cured with medication,
but if it is not treated it can cause death. It was once nearly eradicated
but has grown more threatening in recent years. Schools are not considered
high-risk locations for catching TB.