A communicable disease is one that is spread from one person to another through a variety of ways that include: contact with blood and bodily fluids; breathing in an airborne virus; or by being bitten by an insect.

Some ways in which communicable diseases spread are by:

1. Physical contact: Physical contactwith an infected person, such as

·    Through Touch (Staphylococcus): Staphylococcus can be prevented by washing andkeeping your hands clean, Clean and cover scrapes and cuts with bandages until heal, Avoid contact with other people’s wounds and bandages, Don’t share personal items such as towels, cloths and cosmetics. Staphylococcus can be treated with some special type of antibiotics

·    Sexual Intercouse (Gonorrhea, HIV): Gonorrhea and HIV can be prevented by abstaining from sex is the surest way to prevent Gonorrhea and HIV. Use a condom if you choose to have sex. Gonorrhea is usually treated with an antibiotic injection of Ceftriaxone one time to the buttocks or a single dose of Azithromycin by mouth and HIV has no cure yet but can be managed.

·    Fecal/Oral Transmission (Hepatitis A): Hepatitis can be transmitted orally and can be prevented by always washing your hands thoroughly after using the restroom and when you come in contact with an infected person’s blood, stools or other bodily fluid. Rest and adequate hydration can help hepatitis A.

·    Droplet (Influenza, TB): Influenza and TB can are transmitted in droplet and can be prevented by proper vaccination, staying at least three feet away from anyone who is coughing and sneezing, clean communal surface at least once a day and wash your hands after touching any communal surface.

These diseases can generally be prevented by staying away physically from infected persons.

2.    Contact with a contaminated surface or object: Object and surface such as

·    Food (salmonella, E. coli): The most common way to acquire an E. coli infection is by eating contaminated food such as ground beef, unpasteurized milk and fresh produce. They can be prevented by washing properly your utensils, hands and raw produce, also to keep raw food separate, drink pasteurized milk, juice and cider.

·    Blood (HIV, hepatitis B): HIV and Hepatitis B can be contacted by blood and preventing them both is by abstaining from sex, using condom and not encountering the blood of an infected patient by not sharing sharp objects and tooth brush.

·    Water (Cholera): Drink and use safe water, wash your hands often with soap and safe water, use latrines or bury your feces (poop), do not defecate in any body of water, cook food well(especially seafood), Keep it covered, eat it hot.

3. Bites: Bites from insects or animals capable of transmitting the disease such as

·    Mosquito (malaria and yellow fever): Malaria and yellow fever are both transmitted through mosquito bites and the best way prevent the disease is using insect repellent, covering your arms and legs, and using a mosquito net. Treatment of both disease is by using the appropriate drugs for each after diagnosis by your GP

·    Flea (Plague): Don’t walk or camp near rodent burrows. Wear long pants tucked into socks or boot tops to prevent flea bites. Use insect repellent (containing the chemical DEET) on skin and clothing, especially socks and pant cuffs. Keep wild rodents out of homes, trailers, and outbuildings, and away from pets.

4. Travel through the air such as measles or tuberculosis: Measles and tuberculosis are air borne communicable diseases. Wash hands frequently. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Avoid sharing utensils, water bottles or other items contaminated by saliva or respiratory secretions. Also, Vaccination plays a key role in prevention and management of measles. 

If you need medical attention or have any of the disease mentioned, Call Healthboxes on 09091111129 or 08097560000 to schedule hospital appointments and medical check-ups.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-a/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20367055

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000422.htm

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774

https://www.healthline.com/health/gonorrhea