A communicable disease, also called a contagious or infectious disease, is one that is transmitted from person to person. A person develops a communicable disease through direct contact with an infected person or by breathing in air that contains germs, such as after a sneeze or cough. Germs that cause communicable diseases are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Schools are often loaded with germs and are ideal locations for communicable diseases to thrive.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a communicable disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. The disease is characterized by a red, itchy rash of spots that cover the entire body. The spots usually begin small and develop into large blisters that are filled with clear fluid. In addition to rash, other symptoms of chicken pox include fever, sore throat, headache and abdominal pain. Chickenpox is a common illness among kids, usually under the age of 12, and is often transmitted in schools. The virus is contagious from about two days before the rash appears until the blisters dry up, according to the website Kids Health. Chickenpox usually disappears on its own in a couple of weeks. In order to prevent spreading the infection, children should stay home from school until symptoms have disappeared.
Influenza
Influenza, or the flu, is a communicable disease caused by a type of influenza virus. Symptoms of influenza include high fever, dry cough, headache, body aches, sore throat, runny nose and general feelings of being unwell, according to the World Health Organization. Influenza is highly contagious and spreads easily through schools. The virus is most often transmitted through the air and by direct contact with the hands of an infected person. To prevent the spread of the influenza virus, infected children should be kept home from schools until symptoms disappear. The best way to prevent developing the disease is to wash hands frequently with warm water and soap and avoid touching the face.
Head Lice
Head lice, or Pediculus humanus capitis, are parasites that feed on human blood and are most often found on the scalp of an infected individual. In rare cases, head lice can also be found in the eyebrows or eyelashes. Head lice are most common among children that attend school--6 to 12 million cases of head lice occur in the United States per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Head lice cannot hop or fly; they can only crawl. Because of this, direct contact is needed in order to transmit head lice. Direct contact can occur through head-to-head contact or contact with personal items, such as hairbrushes, hats or towels. An infection of head lice is not related to personal hygiene. In addition to presence of the parasites, symptoms of head lice include itching, irritability and sores on the head. Treatment for head lice consists of over-the-counter medicated shampoos and soaps that kill the parasites.
