A communicable disease is one that spreads from person to person and is often described with adjectives like "contagious" or "infectious." A communicable disease can travel in one of four ways--via bacteria, virus, fungus or protozoa. The teen population is more likely than other age groups to spread certain communicable diseases. Awareness and education about these diseases can help teens and their parents become more proactive in efforts to prevent their spreading.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes. Caused by a virus or bacteria, symptoms of high fever, headache and stiff neck often develop quickly and can cause serious complications if not caught in time. Meningitis can spread from person to person via respiratory and throat secretions, which can occur by coughing, sneezing or kissing. Although not as contagious as the flu, the Centers for Disease Control recommends routine vaccination of young people ages 11 to 18.
Strep Throat
Streptococci bacteria are the culprit behind strep throat, a highly contagious illness that is quite common among teens during the school year. Readily treatable with antibiotics, symptoms include sore throat, stomach pain and fever and red or swollen tonsils. Teens tend to get strep throat most often during the school year when large groups of people are close together, according to the KidsHealth.org. Sneezing, coughing and hand touching can easily spread the bacteria that lingers in the nose and throat, so frequent hand washing serves as a good preventative measure.
Tuberculosis
Caused by the bacteria mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs. The CDC notes that TB spreads through the air by coughing, sneezing, speaking or even singing, and it can be fatal if not treated properly.
Once relatively obscure in the U.S., TB is a growing health issue among foreign-born persons living in the U.S. as well as those with HIV, according to LabTestsOnline.org. The site recommends TB screening for teens exposed to these high-risk groups.
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is nicknamed "the kissing disease" because the virus spreads through saliva. Coughing or sneezing can also spread mono. The teen population is especially vulnerable to mono, warns to the Mayo Clinic. Signs include fatigue, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and fever. Mono can last several weeks and in some cases can cause problems with the spleen and liver.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a bacteria or a virus. The three most common forms of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B and C. The hepatitis A virus spreads via contaminated food and drinking water. Proper hand washing is a strong preventative measure to minimize the spread of this disease. People can contract hepatitis B and C through infected blood and body fluids. Both unprotected sex and shared drug needle use put teens at higher risk. According to KidsHealth.org, many young people in the U.S. receive a vaccination for both hepatitis A and C at an early age.
