Communicable Disease
Communicable Disease
HCS/457- Public and Community Health
Jeffrey Rhoades
November 26, 2012
Communicable Disease Communicable disease is defined as an infectious disease transmissible (as from person to person) by direct contact with an affected individual or the individual’s discharge or by indirect means (Merriam Webster, m-w.com). A communicable disease can be transmitted through fluid exchange or by a vector. Hepatitis B is a known communicable disease still affecting the United States and worldwide. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that caused liver damaged from the Hepatitis B virus HBV), inflammation of the liver. In the first stages of HBV usually within the first six months a person becomes infected calling it acute Hepatitis B infection. HBV can feel like having the flu or no signs of symptoms in which it could go away on its own in a few months. If it doesn’t it is called chronic HBV, which then last a lifetime. Chronic HBV can lead to liver scarring, liver cancer and liver failure. Hepatitis B virus is found in the blood of people with HBV infection, it transmits through the body by blood-to-blood contact. This paper will describe Hepatitis B, the efforts being made to control it, provide data evidence, resource for treatment options, how it influence the lifestyles and socioeconomic status, and further prevention recommendations such as immunizations, Heath Care Act which provide everyone with insurance to be treated, and education. Hepatitis B has similarities to the HIV virus as modes of transmission, although is 100 times more infectious. Both diseases are exposed through blood-to-blood contact from infected blood or products, and from mothers giving birth to infants. People can also get HBV by sharing needles for injection of drug use, accidental needle stick with a contaminated needle, tattooing equipment and sexual contact. HBV can spread through casual contact and become life threatening. HBV symptoms range from bare minimal in
HCS/457- Public and Community Health
Jeffrey Rhoades
November 26, 2012
Communicable Disease Communicable disease is defined as an infectious disease transmissible (as from person to person) by direct contact with an affected individual or the individual’s discharge or by indirect means (Merriam Webster, m-w.com). A communicable disease can be transmitted through fluid exchange or by a vector. Hepatitis B is a known communicable disease still affecting the United States and worldwide. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that caused liver damaged from the Hepatitis B virus HBV), inflammation of the liver. In the first stages of HBV usually within the first six months a person becomes infected calling it acute Hepatitis B infection. HBV can feel like having the flu or no signs of symptoms in which it could go away on its own in a few months. If it doesn’t it is called chronic HBV, which then last a lifetime. Chronic HBV can lead to liver scarring, liver cancer and liver failure. Hepatitis B virus is found in the blood of people with HBV infection, it transmits through the body by blood-to-blood contact. This paper will describe Hepatitis B, the efforts being made to control it, provide data evidence, resource for treatment options, how it influence the lifestyles and socioeconomic status, and further prevention recommendations such as immunizations, Heath Care Act which provide everyone with insurance to be treated, and education. Hepatitis B has similarities to the HIV virus as modes of transmission, although is 100 times more infectious. Both diseases are exposed through blood-to-blood contact from infected blood or products, and from mothers giving birth to infants. People can also get HBV by sharing needles for injection of drug use, accidental needle stick with a contaminated needle, tattooing equipment and sexual contact. HBV can spread through casual contact and become life threatening. HBV symptoms range from bare minimal in
References: (2012). Statistics. Heptatitis B Foundation Cause for a Cure. Retrieved from: www.hepborg./hepb/stastics.htm (2012). Hepatitis B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/b/ (1994-2010). Combating the Silent Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis. United States Department of Health and Human Services www.hhs.gov/ash/initiatives/hepatitis/actionplan_viralhepatitis2011.pdf (2012)