Illnesses caused by microorganisms and transmitted from an infected person or animal to another person or animal. Some diseases are passed on by direct or indirect contact with infected persons or with their excretions. Most diseases are spread through contact or close proximity because the causative bacteria or viruses are airborne; i. e. , they can be expelled from the nose and mouth of the infected person and inhaled by anyone in the vicinity.
Such diseases include diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, mumps, whooping cough, influenza, and smallpox. Some infectious diseases can be spread only indirectly, usually through contaminated food or water, e. g. , typhoid, cholera, dysentery. Still other infections are introduced into the body by animal or insect carriers, e. g. , rabies, malaria, encephalitis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The human disease carriers, i. e. , the healthy persons who may be immune to the organisms they harbor, are also a source of transmission.
Some infective organisms require specific circumstances for their transmission, e. g. , sexual contact in syphilis and gonorrhea, injury in the presence of infected soil or dirt in tetanus, infected tranfusion blood or medical instruments in serum hepatitis and sometimes in malaria. In the case of AIDS, while a number of different circumstances will transmit the disease, each requires the introduction of a contaminant into the bloodstream.
A disease such as tuberculosis may be transmitted in several waysby contact (human or animal), through food or eating utensils, and by the air. Control of communicable disease depends upon recognition of the many ways transmission takes place. It must include isolation or even quarantine of persons with certain diseases. Proper antisepsis (see antiseptic ) should be observed in illness and in health. Immunologic measures (see immunity ) should be utilized fully. Some sexually transmitted infections are associated with cancer (cervical or penile).
Education of the population in rules of public health is of great importance both in the matter of personal responsibility (disposal of secretions, preventing contact with the blood of others, proper handling and preparation of food, personal hygiene) and community responsibility (safe water and food supply, sterile blood supply, garbage and waste disposal). Animal and insect carriers must be controlled, and the activities of human carriers must be limited. Non-communicable diseases are also called chronic Chronic diseasessuch as heart disease, cancer, and diabetesare the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
These diseases account for 7 of every 10 deaths and affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these diseases. CDCs National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion is at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to prevent and control chronic diseases.
The center conducts studies to better understand the causes of these diseases, supports programs to promote healthy behaviors, and monitors the health of the nation through surveys. Critical to the success of these efforts are partnerships with state health and education agencies, voluntary associations, private organizations, and other federal agencies. Together, the center and its partners are working to create a healthier nation. SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. It’s a new disease that began in south China. Symptoms include a fever of over 100 degrees and a cough.
Scientists think SARS may be caused by a new virus, and they’re working hard to stop it. Most people who get SARS have been in very close contact with someone else who has the disease. Doctors treating SARS and family members of SARS patients are at risk, but the disease doesn’t seem to be spread by casual contact. So there’s no reason to panic, but if you’re worried about SARS, talk to your parents and your doctor. SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained. This fact sheet gives basic information about the illness and what CDC has done to control SARS in the United States. To find out more about SARS, go to CDC’s SARS website and WHO’s SARS website. The SARS outbreak of 2003 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS during the 2003 outbreak.
Of these, 774 died. In the United States, only eight people had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV infection. All of these people had traveled to other parts of the world with SARS. SARS did not spread more widely in the community in the United States. For an update on SARS cases in the United States and worldwide as of December 2003, see Revised U. S. Surveillance Case Definition for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Update on SARS Cases — United States and Worldwide, December 2003. Symptoms of SARS In general, SARS begins with a high fever (temperature greater than 100.
F [>38. 0C]). Other symptoms may include headache, an overall feeling of discomfort, and body aches. Some people also have mild respiratory symptoms at the outset. About 10 percent to 20 percent of patients have diarrhea. After 2 to 7 days, SARS patients may develop a dry cough. Most patients develop pneumonia. How SARS spreads The main way that SARS seems to spread is by close person-to-person contact. The virus that causes SARS is thought to be transmitted most readily by respiratory droplets (droplet spread) produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Droplet spread can happen when droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled a short distance (generally up to 3 feet) through the air and deposited on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby. The virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object contaminated with infectious droplets and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eye(s). In addition, it is possible that the SARS virus might spread more broadly through the air (airborne spread) or by other ways that are not now known.