Introduction
Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases or transmissible diseases spread from one person to other people. These diseases are communicated by the way of air, water, food and contact with animal and people. Bacteria, parasites and viruses are the pathogens that cause communicable diseases. These transporters carry and spread the diseases from one to another and have a capacity to survive in a host’s body for a longer period before their attack or outburst. Influenza, polio, typhoid, measles, mumps, chickenpox, tuberculosis, AIDS are few of communicable diseases. In this paper we would discuss the communicable diseases, several related aspects and methods of their prevention.
Most affected regions- Though communicable diseases are found in every parts of the world but most affected region is the Africa and Asia. There are a number of communicable diseases and also in different variety. The disease found in the Africa or Asia may differ from diseases found in the developed societies. Several diseases that do not exist in any other part still exist in these regions. The lack of resource in these regions also plays a major role in their existence because the vaccines and other preventive methods need money.
Methods of prevention- The nature of communicable diseases is to spread and transmit from one to another with the help of pathogens. Since the number of communicable diseases is very large and with different variety, it is not possible to exterminate these diseases but there are different methods to prevent them and Precaution is the best way of prevention.
a. It is imperative for a person to be immune first if he wants to be healthy. There are two types of Immunity natural and acquired. Natural immunity can be acquired by a healthy life style which includes good balanced food, an adequate amount of sleep, physical exercise and stress free life. While to avail acquired immunity one has to rely on medical science and vaccines provided by doctors. Though vaccines are very useful in prevention of communicable diseases but they also have limitations like natural immunity.
b. In sexual transmitted diseases like AIDS, the use of condom is suggested by the doctors and also that people should not change their sex partners frequently.
c. In some cases the quarantine is also suggested, in this process the infected person is kept in isolation to prevent the disease from spreading. This process is criticized often but prevents the disease to be spread.
d. Educating the people is very useful in preventing the communicable disease .
Similarity and difference- Communicable diseases are similar as well as different in nature. All the diseases are similar because all of them are carried by the pathogens and transmissible to others from one infected person. These diseases are different because the symptoms, gravity and their effect vary from case to case based on several factors. There are a number of Communicable diseases and all have their own characteristics.
Conclusion
After observing several aspects of the communicable diseases it is easy to say that communicable diseases are transmissible to others from an infected person. The precaution is the best method to prevent these diseases. People should develop a strong immune system to fight with these diseases by following a healthy lifestyle but should not hesitate in taking the medical help in course of preventing these diseases by taking vaccines and other medical facilities.
References
Communicable Diseases. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2011, from www.nos.org: http://www.nos.org/SecHmscicour/english/LESSON_13.pdf
Van Rensburg, R H Van den Berg and M J Viljoen. (1999). Communicable diseases: a nursing perspective. Cape Town: Maskew Miller Longman.
Wise Geek. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2011, from www.wisegeek.com: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-communicable-disease.htm
