Over the years, it has been learnt that many diseases emerge and evolve within humans and infect masses. Communicable diseases emerge and spread from one person to another or from an animal to a person and can be highly infectious and life-threatening.
The spread can happen through many ways that include:
- contact with bodily fluids and blood
- breathing in an airborne virus or
- being bitten by a mosquito or insect.
Communicable diseases are also termed naturally infectious and contagious diseases as well.
However, it is necessary to report communicable diseases to the prevention and control programs to ensure the appropriate treatment and to find the common source of the outbreak. This article is about 5 of the most common communicable diseases humans may encounter.
Let’s first learn about the common difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases -
As the name suggests, communicable diseases are easily transmissible from one to another directly or indirectly whereas non-communicable diseases are not directly transmissible. Autoimmune diseases, strokes, cardiovascular diseases, most cancers, cataracts and many others are non-communicable diseases and require immediate attention.
In this article, we will cover details about 5 of the most common communicable diseases that humans may encounter by coming in contact with the person infected with either of the diseases mentioned below-
5 Common Communicable Diseases
- Covid-19-The outbreak of Covid-19 is a global disaster and it has spread its wings incessantly. Covid-19 belongs to the family of viruses that get spread via common cold and respiratory diseases, which directly cause severe illness. This virus spreads through coughing, sneezing, touching with infected hands, followed by fever, shortage of breathing, coughing, etc. The severity of this virus leads to pneumonia, multiple organ failure and even death if it is not controlled in time. There are many preventive measures, guidelines and protocols that could be followed to be safe from this contagious disease.
- Influenza-Flu is one of the contagious diseases caused by the influenza virus that attacks the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Common cold and Flu are often confused for similar symptoms, but they are totally different from Influenza. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness and gets life-threatening if ignored. It is believed that flu is spread through the droplets released while coughing, sneezing and talking closely with an already infected person. It is also possible to spread the virus without knowing you are sick.
- Measles-Measles is a highly transmissible and contagious group of diseases that stay in an infected person’s nose and throat mucus. One can experience symptoms of measles in about 7 to 14 days after getting infected. Within 3-5 days after experiencing symptoms, rashes break out and begin as flat red spots. It occurs on the face at the hairline and spreads throughout the body, followed by high-grade fever.
- Meningitis-There are two types of meningitis that are contagious as well as easily transmissible. One is bacterial meningitis that is transmitted through respiratory or throat secretions such as coughing or sharing unwashed eating/drinking utensils. It may cause life-threatening infections that could need immediate medical attention. In contrast, viral meningitis spreads depending on the type of virus causing the disease. It is less severe than bacterial meningitis.
- Tuberculosis-Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that is majorly caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is spread from person to person through the air. This disease directly affects the lungs and affects other organs too. If you are exposed to TB and do not feel sick or have any symptoms, you are not contagious if the infection doesn’t turn into an active TB disease.
Prevention of Communicable Diseases
It is always safe to keep yourself protected from diseases that are highly infectious and transmissible. Below mentioned are a few of the healthy habits that you can adopt to protect yourself from germs and infectious diseases from spreading-
- Ensure youtake care of the hygienewhile handling and preparing food, as raw vegetables could have viruses.
- Wash your handsas often as you can to ensure your and others safety.
- Clean and disinfect the common surfacesthat come in contact with people the most.
- Alwayscarry a handkerchiefwhile coughing and sneezing or use a tissue and dispose of it after use.
- Stay home when you are sickor experiencing symptoms of any communicable disease.
- Get vaccinatedto get protection against many communicable diseases.
Also, learn about 5 Diseases that cause Critical Illnesses
Conclusion
You are always safe if you take the necessary protection to protect yourself and your loved ones. As the old saying goes: prevention is better than the cure.
It has become a mandate to follow preventive measures in such crucial times when Covid-19 has taken over the entire world. Being aware and cautious is the key to combat these contagious diseases that may get life-threatening if not treated.
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