Communicable diseases are a concern in every community. These diseases can transmit via the air, from person to person, from droplets spread though sneezing or coughing, or through contaminated clothing or food and water. Many communicable diseases are of a highly contagious nature and have mild to severe complications. Common communicable diseases include the common cold and flu.
Common Cold
The common cold is a communicable disease that most individuals have experienced. The common cold spreads through the air and primarily through discharges from the respiratory tract of those who are already infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that more than 200 viruses can cause the common cold. The most common virus is the rhinovirus. Symptoms of the common cold include a sore throat, a runny nose, body aches, watery eyes and coughing.
Influenza
Influenza is a common contagious viral infection, otherwise known as the flu. The influenza virus is the cause of the flu and can occur at any time of the year. Individuals are more prone to influenza infection from direct contact with an infected individual one day before symptoms develop or five to seven days after symptoms start, according to the CDC. Symptoms of the communicable disease include muscle and body aches, a fever, a sore throat, fatigue, headaches and nausea. Certain types of influenza can have serious complications including dehydration and bacterial pneumonia.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is the most common bacterial infection of the throat. It is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria are highly contagious and can spread through direct or indirect contact. Strep throat occurs commonly in children and tends to develop more often in the fall and spring, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, swollen tonsils, swollen lymph glands, difficulty swallowing and a fever. The communicable disease can cause serious problems if not treated, but commonly only causes sore throat symptoms.
Chicken Pox
Chicken pox is a highly contagious communicable disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The communicable disease occurs most often amongst children but can spread among anyone through person-to-person direct contact. Symptoms of chicken pox include a widespread rash, headaches, a fever, and loss of appetite. It can take anywhere from 10 to 21 days for symptoms to develop after exposure to the disease and contagiousness lasts until the rash and blisters crust over, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Serious complications of the communicable disease include bacterial infections and pneumonia, but commonly occur only in individuals with weakened immune systems and the elderly.
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