Download Infectious Respiratory Diseases

Infectious Respiratory
Diseases
Communicable Diseases Unit
Lesson 2
Five Types
Common cold
Influenza
Pneumonia
Strep Throat
Tuberculosis
The Common Cold
Over 200 viruses can cause a cold
Virus that infects the nose
High levels of stress can increase
chance of catching a cold
Exposed to cold weather/getting
chilled does not cause a cold!
Takes about 2-7 days to show
symptoms
The Common Cold
Transmission
Direct and indirect contact
Symptoms
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Headache
Cough/sore throat
Last 2-14 days
The Common Cold
Treatment
Rest and fluids
Over-the-counter meds
Prevention
Good hygiene
Avoid close contact with infected people
Rest, fluids, and good diet
Influenza (The Flu)
Infection of the nose, throat, and
lungs
Can cause complications (elderly,
babies, people with chronic diseases)
Constantly changing (harder to form
antibodies)
Influenza (The Flu)
Transmission
Direct and indirect contact
Can spread rapidly in crowded places
Symptoms
Fever
Headache
Fatigue
Cough
Sore throat
Muscle aches
Others…
Influenza (The Flu)
Treatment
Rest and fluids
Over-the-counter meds
Children and teens should not take aspirin if
have the flu – can lead to Reye’s Syndrome
Prevention
Avoid contact with infected people
Good hygiene
Flu shots
Pneumonia
Infection in the lungs caused by
bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens
Mild to severe and fatal
Transmission
Direct and indirect contact
Untreated respiratory infections
Pneumonia
Symptoms
Cough with mucus
Fever
Chest pain
Shallow/trouble breathing
Fatigue
Others…
Pneumonia
Treatment
Antibiotics treat bacterial pneumonia
Viral may need hospital care
Prevention
Avoid contact with infected people
Good hygiene
Prompt treatment of respiratory
infections
Strep Throat
Bacterial infection in throat
Can lead to rheumatic fever
Transmission
Direct and indirect contact
Symptoms
Fever
Sever sore throat
Red throat with sores
Strep Throat
Treatment
Antibiotics
Rest and fluids
Prevention
Avoid contact with infected people
Good hygiene
Tuberculosis
Bacterial infection in lungs
People with weakened immune
systems more likely to contract
(elderly, HIV infected, homeless,
malnourished)
Transmission
Direct and indirect contact (airborne)
Tuberculosis
Symptoms
Mild cough and fever
Fatigue
Weight loss
Night sweats
Coughing up blood
Treatment
Antibiotics (some pathogens are
resistant)
Tuberculosis
Prevention
Avoid contact with infected people
Rooms with good ventilation reduce the
risk of spreading TB