ommunicable iseases
& ids ommon

llnesses

 

This link of our site is on communicable diseases. This site will include information on some communicable diseases, the effects of them, and even how to treat them. I hope you have fun learning about these illnesses and I hope this information will come in useful to you!

Getting sick-

A communicable disease is one that can be passed from one person or animal to another.Most communicable diseases are caused by small life-forms. Chances are you've had some experiences with communicable diseases like the common flu or cold. But there are more serious cases like the measles and rabies. Luckily these aren't as common and have vaccines, or cures for these unwanted illnesses. But if you think you are coming down with something it is a good idea to take your temperature and if you suspect something, visit your local pharmacy and see a doctor.

The invasion of the body!

As you may know communicable diseases can come in many forms like a virus,or a fungus. Here is a list of communicable diseases that kids catch regularly all around the U.S.

Strep Throat: Symptoms- Sore or scratchy throat, fever, swollen glands, headache, abominable pain. Nausea and vomiting in severe cases. It is most contagious during the infection and until 24 hours after effective treatment begins. See your doctor for medication.

Athlete's Foot: Common mainly if your in sporting events and is caused by a fungi. Can be spread by the sweat of other athletes, ten days after exposure itch between toes develop. Skin between toes begin to crack, thin peel and then puss. This is caused by a fungus. See doctor for information and medication.

Chicken pox: Caused by a virus is usually mild with children but get more severe as you get older. There is a vaccine for it to prevent it witch you may want to get if you haven't had it yet. Anyway chicken pox is caused by a virus that invades the skin and throat cells. Slight fever and rash in mouth and throat are common symptoms. But the one that chicken pox is known for is the itching. It usually goes away after a week the virus first struck and just bout everyone gets it some point in their life.

Measles:Not as common with the vaccines taken regularly but it can be pretty severe. Caused by another virus that again invades the throat, covering of the eye, or skin. Frequently begins with fever,runny nose, and a cough. Spots then appear(much like the chicken pox) all over body, including mouth and throat. By the time the infection reaches the feet your feeling better but it's not over yet. It can also prey to the lungs and even your brain.

 

Influenza: or the flu is caused by you getting the spray of mucus from someone else who already has the flu inside of you. Or by getting germs in your mouth by not washing your hands. So please cover your mouth when you sneeze and try to wash your hands regularly. It will run its course in a matter of days so don't worry, it won't last long.

Join the Battle against Illness!

 

Like I mentioned earlier illnesses come in many shapes and sizes.

In this section you'll learn about some of the things that can make you sick.

Bacteria:These tiny one-celled organisms are neither animals or plants. They belong to a third family of life forms known as Monera. Bacteria are all around us-in the air, soil, water, and everything we touch. Even inside of us. Some bacteria can cause disease, but most are not capable of making us sick. Many bacteria in our bodies are kept from multiplying and causing disease by our body's natural resistance. We can become resistant to a disease after we have been exposed to the bacterium that causes it. But when a disease causing bacterium to which our body has not been exposed to, chances are much greater it will make us sick. Here is a picture of bacteria.

Virus: are not alive. Living organisms digest food,use oxygen,grow, and reproduce themselves. Viruses can do none of these things on their own. Thy are particle, shaped like balls or rods, many times smaller than bacteria. A single virus particle consists of an inner core of chemicals called nucleic acids surrounded by one or two protective shells made up of protein (see 1-800 -Health*). Here is picture of a virus

Viruses can take one important quality of life, that of reproduction-when they invade cells.So basically if you stop the virus from getting inside you, you'll stop it from reproducing more viruses and eventually making you sick.

 

Not so common illnesses

That you should know about

Whooping cough:

Is an infection of the windpipe, or trachea, and the main passegways to the lungs, called bronchi. The infection starts with the symtoms of cold-cough, sneezing, runny nose ,fever, sore eyes. Then a more severe cough develops . As the person struggles to inhale inbetween coughs, he or he mkes a wooping sound. Violent coughing sometimes causes vomitting . A vaccination givin to babies has made whooping cough a rare disease.

 

Maleria:

Is a transmitted disease then travels from victim to victim by small insects such as mosquitoes who deliver the disease right into the bloodstream. Symtoms include perspiration, shivering, sick to the stomach, hurt all over, high temperature, pain in head and back, and exhaustion. Symptoms can last somewhere around three months without proper treatment. Go to your local doctor for more info and treatment.

 

Lyme disease:

Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of a bacteria infected tick(a small blood sucking animal) that normally infects deer( that's how it became a deer tick. Lyme disease starts with a red dot that appears on the body where the infected tick bite occurred. This develops into an inch-wide blotch with a red ring around it. Then fever develops along with headache, muscle pains, and tiredness. As if the person had the flue. Redness and swelling of joints is next followed by numbness and tingling in different parts of the body,and double vision. Sense of taste may also be lost.

Antibiotics will cure the disease but there is no shot to immunize against it.

All this caused by a little tick.

 

Meningitis:

Is a rare but rather serious illness. Symptoms include,feverish, severe headache, and stiff neck. Not to mention highly sensitive to light. Soon vomiting begins, then the person become drowsy and then unconscious. Red rash may develop. Meningitis is usually the result of the spirea of an infection from the throat, and ear. This disease can also cause brain damage. But that depends on where brain is infected.

This can also be caused by a virus.

Pneumonia:

This is an infection of the lungs. Usually follows less serious infection like a cold. When the organism invades the lungs, fluid fills part of the lungs, the person develops a fever and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia is often caused by a virus but can sometimes be caused by a bacteria. There is a vaccine for the bacteria but none for the virus.

 

Diptheria:

Is an infection that begins in the persons throat, where the outer layer of cells in the throat are destroyed. The throat reacts by oozing a fluid, making it difficult for the person to breathe. Diptheria can cause damage to the heart and other parts of the body. Because this one dangerous disease can be prevented by vaccination it is now uncommon.

Typhoid fever:

Is an intestinal infection. Symtoms include: fever, appetite loss, fatigue, stomach pain, and constipation, followed by diarrhea and the development of tiny red dots on the skin of the stomach and chest. Unless treated with antibiotic, the oranisms will cause internal bleeding and spread the infection to other parts of the body,which can be lead to death. Prevent by only drinking purified water.

Typhus:

Is caused by a bacteria-like organism that lives inside the cells of other organisms. The organism is transmitted from rats to humans by the bite of a small bloodsucking insect called a louse. The infected person develops a hedache, backache, high fever,and rash. The organism invades the blood vessels of most of the major organs of the body. The person dies when the heart, lungs. or kidneys fail. Typhus can be treated with antibiotics, and killing the lice controls the disease.