Communicable Disease
Communicable Disease
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A communicable disease can be defined as a disease that is spread or can be spread from one individual to another or sometimes from an animal to a human being (Webber, 2009). The spread of a communicable disease does not only happen through airborne bacteria or viruses, but also through blood and other fluids of the body. Communicable diseases are sometimes termed as contagious or infectious diseases. Tuberculosis is an example of a communicable disease. Tuberculosis or TB is a bacterial and communicable disease that spreads by inhaling tiny droplets from an infected person’s sneezing or coughing (Ramen, 2012). Although this medical condition is serious and can lead to death, it can be treated quite easily especially if detected early enough. The main organ of the body affected by TB is the lungs. Nevertheless, the disease can affect other parts of the body such as circulatory system, central nervous system lymphatic system, and bones among others. In the past, tuberculosis was referred to as consumption due to the drastic loss of weight by an infected person (Boutayeb, 2006).
Symptoms of tuberculosis The symptoms of tuberculosis usually develop gradually and most of them might not even begin before some months or years have passed since the time an individual was exposed to bacterial infection. When the bacteria infect the body and no symptoms are caused, this condition is known as latent TB (Boutayeb, 2006). When the infection of the bacteria causes symptoms, the condition is referred to as active TB. According to Webber (2009), some of the symptoms include an individual often having a constant cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks. This persistent cough may be accompanied by bloody phlegm. The patient may also experience unexplained pain, weight loss, fever, night sweats, tiredness, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Causes of tuberculosis As mentioned above,
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A communicable disease can be defined as a disease that is spread or can be spread from one individual to another or sometimes from an animal to a human being (Webber, 2009). The spread of a communicable disease does not only happen through airborne bacteria or viruses, but also through blood and other fluids of the body. Communicable diseases are sometimes termed as contagious or infectious diseases. Tuberculosis is an example of a communicable disease. Tuberculosis or TB is a bacterial and communicable disease that spreads by inhaling tiny droplets from an infected person’s sneezing or coughing (Ramen, 2012). Although this medical condition is serious and can lead to death, it can be treated quite easily especially if detected early enough. The main organ of the body affected by TB is the lungs. Nevertheless, the disease can affect other parts of the body such as circulatory system, central nervous system lymphatic system, and bones among others. In the past, tuberculosis was referred to as consumption due to the drastic loss of weight by an infected person (Boutayeb, 2006).
Symptoms of tuberculosis The symptoms of tuberculosis usually develop gradually and most of them might not even begin before some months or years have passed since the time an individual was exposed to bacterial infection. When the bacteria infect the body and no symptoms are caused, this condition is known as latent TB (Boutayeb, 2006). When the infection of the bacteria causes symptoms, the condition is referred to as active TB. According to Webber (2009), some of the symptoms include an individual often having a constant cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks. This persistent cough may be accompanied by bloody phlegm. The patient may also experience unexplained pain, weight loss, fever, night sweats, tiredness, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Causes of tuberculosis As mentioned above,
References: Boutayeb A. (2006). The Double Burden of Communicable And Non-Communicable Diseases In Developing Countries. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 100: 191–99. Ramen, F. (2012). Tuberculosis. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group Webber, R. (2009). Communicable disease epidemiology and control: a global perspective. New York: CABI publishers.