Communicable diseases are diseases transmitted between people, from animals to people, or from inanimate objects to people notes the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Many different types of communicable diseases exist, with varying degrees of severity. Some communicable diseases are prevented through the use of vaccines, while others are considered bioterrorism agents and can be fatal.
Anthrax
Anthrax is a communicable disease which is transmitted most often from animals to people. The infection may be transmitted by touching contaminated animal products such as bone or hide and the infection enters the body through a cut in the skin. It can also be inhaled, though the New York State Department of Health explains that high concentrations must be aerosolized and inhaled to cause infection. It may also be transmitted by eating contaminated and undercooked meat. Symptoms vary depending on the mode of transmission and may include boils on the skin, fever, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting blood. Anthrax is considered an agent of bioterrorism.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that affects the nose, throat, tonsils and skin. There is a vaccine available against diphtheria that is given concurrently with tetanus and pertussis vaccines. Individuals who contract the disease are most often unvaccinated and display symptoms such as sore throat, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. If the skin is involved, red and painful lesions occur. Without proper antibiotic treatment, complications such as paralysis, heart failure and death can occur in a small percentage of patients, notes Pace University.
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is a viral disease that is spread by contact with an infected person. It can be spread by touching anything that may have the infected person’s saliva on it, such as eating utensils and it can also be spread by kissing. Individuals infected with mononucleosis will display a fever, fatigue, sore throat and swollen glands notes Pace University. The infection may last for several weeks and occasionally the liver and spleen may become affected.
Plague
The plague is a communicable disease spread to humans most commonly through infected fleas and rodents. It is rare in the United States, though the plague does occur in the west and southwest region of the country. Symptoms include a swollen lymph node near the flea bite, fever, flu-like symptoms and pneumonia, explains the New York State Department of Health. Antibiotics are given to treat the infected individual while they remain in quarantine.
