Communicable diseases transfer from one person to another by contact with body fluids, through the air from a cough or sneeze and by touching an infected surface. High-risk areas for the spread of communicable diseases include schools, daycare facilities, hospitals and nursing homes. Preventive measures include frequent and thorough hand-washing and refraining from sharing eating and drinking utensils. There are many different types of communicable diseases.
Acute Bronchitis
Children's Hospital Boston reports that acute bronchitis, an inflammation of the mucus membranes of the airways, results from a bacterial or viral infection or from a physical or chemical agent. Viral infections cause the majority of acute bronchitis cases in children. Causes include the common cold and other upper-respiratory infections. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include a runny nose, sore throat, chills and fever. An initial dry cough progresses to a mucus-filled cough that can cause gagging and vomiting. Tests used to confirm the diagnosis of acute bronchitis include a chest x-ray, oxygen levels, blood tests and a sputum culture. The Mayo Clinic reports that acute bronchitis spreads through direct contact, such as touching a surface contaminated with the virus, and indirect contact, such as breathing in infected particles from someone's coughing or sneezing.
Legionnaires' Disease
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that causes the hospitalization of between 8,000 and 10,000 people in the United States every year, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1976, the disease caused the illness of many people at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, thus, the name "Legionnaires' disease." Since its recognition, routine testing occurs for individuals at risk presenting with pneumonia to rule out the presence of the Legionella bacteria. Risk factors include being older than 65 and having a compromised immune system. The time from exposure to the bacteria to the first symptoms varies from two to 14 days. Legionnaires' disease spreads through inhaling vapor or water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria.
Hepatitis B
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. The work of the liver consists of removing harmful chemicals, fighting infection and serving as a storehouse for nutrients, vitamins and energy. When the liver ceases to work at full capacity, symptoms appear, such as jaundice, fatigue, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite and dark yellow urine. Transmission of hepatitis B occurs through bodily fluids such as blood and semen. Methods of transmission include sharing drug needles, the use of unsterilized needles or piercing tools from an infected person and from an infected mother to a newborn. Treatment for chronic hepatitis B includes shots such as interferon and peginterferon, and oral drugs such as lamivudine, telbivudine, adefovir and entecavir.
