Guide to Communicable Respiratory Diseases: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnoses, and Treatments

1. What You’ll Learn 1. Analyze the causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments of communicable respiratory diseases. 2. Analyze ways to prevent infection with communicable respiratory diseases. 3. Discuss asthma and ways to prevent and manage asthma attacks.

2. What You’ll Learn 4. Describe common causes of allergies. 5. Describe ways to prevent or treat allergies.

3. Key Terms • pollen • hay fever • common cold • influenza • pneumonia • strep throat • rheumatic fever • asthma • allergy • allergen

4. A Guide to Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Communicable diseases can be spread from person to person. • The guide includes six communicable respiratory diseases: the common cold, influenza, pneumonia, strep throat, tuberculosis, and SARS.

5. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • The common cold • The common cold is a respiratory infection caused by more than 100 different viruses. • Rhinoviruses, which are viruses that infect the nose, are responsible for one-third of all colds. • High levels of stress can increase a person’s chances of catching a cold. • OTCmedicinescanhelprelievecoldsymptoms.

6. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Influenza • Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. • Influenza can be life-threatening for elderly people, newborn babies, and people with chronic diseases. • Flu viruses are constantly changing, making it difficult for the immune system to form antibodies to new variations of the flu virus.

7. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Influenza • An infected person is particularly contagious during the first three days of infection. • A physician usually determines if people have the flu by their symptoms and by whether the flu is present in the community.

8. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Influenza • Aspirin or acetaminophen may relieve fever and discomfort, although children and teens should not take aspirin to relieve symptoms as it may increase the chances of developing Reye’s syndrome. • Reye’s syndrome is a disease that causes swelling of the brain and deterioration of liver function.

9. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Influenza • Antibiotics are not effective against flu viruses. • Flu shots are available and are updated each year. • They are highly recommended for people under age 2 and over age 65; people with chronic illnesses and/or with a history of respiratory infections; pregnant women who are in their second or third trimester during flu season; and health-care workers.

10. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Pneumonia • Pneumonia is an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens. • Pneumonia bacteria and viruses can be spread by direct contact with an infected person or with contaminated objects. • Laboratory tests, chest X rays, and physical examinations are used to diagnose pneumonia.

11. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Pneumonia • Prompt treatment of pneumonia is critical. • Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia, but viral pneumonia is much more difficult to treat. Severe cases may require hospital care. • A vaccine is available to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia, a type which kills more people than all other vaccine-preventable diseases.

12. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Strep throat • Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the throat. • If strep throat is not treated promptly, rheumatic fever can occur. • Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease in the heart that can cause fever, weakness, and damage to heart valves.

13. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Strep throat • A throat culture is needed to diagnose strep throat. • Antibiotics are prescribed to kill the bacteria and to prevent spread of the infection. Rest and fluids help the body fight the infection.

14. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Tuberculosis • Tuberculosisis a bacterial infection of the lungs. • Tuberculosis bacteria become airborne through coughing and sneezing by an infected person. • Only people with active tuberculosis are contagious.

15. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Tuberculosis • A tuberculin skin test is the injection of a protein substance under the skin in the forearm to determine if the person has been exposed to tuberculosis. • Chest X rays and sputum samples are used to confirm a diagnosis.

16. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Tuberculosis • Although antibiotics are used to treat tuberculosis, some tuberculosis pathogens have become resistant to them. • Drugs are available to prevent tuberculosis in people who are in close contact with infected people. Rooms with good ventilation and air flow reduce the risk of the spread of tuberculosis.

17. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)  • SARS is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a new type of coronavirus. • SARS surfaced in early 2003 in some Asian countries. • It is important to understand that the symptoms of SARS are typical for many other respiratory illnesses, including a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

18. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases • Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)  • With this illness, another criterion for diagnosis is travel to specific Asian countries where SARS exists and/or close contact with a person infected with SARS. • Since the initial outbreak, SARS is now under control.

19. Disease Symptoms Transmission Treatment Prevention Communicable Respiratory Disease Facts Cold runny nose, watery eyes, difficulty breathing, sneezing, sore throat, cough, and headache air, contact with an infected person, or by touching contaminated objects rest and drink plenty of fluids wash hands frequently and do not touch the nose or eyes, sneeze or cough into a facial tissue, avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold

20. Communicable Respiratory Disease Facts Disease Influenza Symptoms headache, chills, sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, and dry cough, followed by body aches and fever Transmission air, enters the body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth Treatment rest and drink plenty of fluids Prevention wash hands often, avoid direct contact with infected person, get a flu vaccination

21. Communicable Respiratory Disease Facts Disease Pneumonia Symptoms shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, weakness, fever, and chills Transmission direct contact with a contaminated person or object, untreated respiratory diseases Treatment antibiotics Prevention avoid direct contact with infected person, get treatment for respiratory diseases, get a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination

22. Communicable Respiratory Disease Facts Disease Strep throat Symptoms fever and severe sore throat Transmission coughing, sneezing, and close contract with an infected person Treatment antibiotics, rest, and drink plenty of fluids Prevention avoid contact with infected person, wash hands often

23. Communicable Respiratory Disease Facts Disease Tuberculosis Symptoms extreme tiredness, coughing, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, chills, chest pain, bloody sputum, low-grade fever, shortness of breath Transmission air, through coughing and sneezing of an infected person Treatment antibiotics, supportive care Prevention avoid contact with infected person

24. Communicable Respiratory Disease Facts Disease SARS Symptoms fever higher than 100.4ºF, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, low oxygen in blood, or X-ray findings of pneumonia Transmission air, enters the body through mucous membranes Treatment good supportive care, rest Prevention wash hands often, avoid close contact with infected person

26. Asthma • Asthma is a condition in which the bronchial tubes become inflamed and constrict, making breathing difficult for many people. • Asthma is an example of a non-communicable disease. • Noncommunicable diseases are not spread from person to person.

27. What to Know About Asthma • Asthma • Asthma is a chronic disease that cannot be cured. People with asthma have sensitive lungs that react to certain asthma triggers. • Asthma triggers are substances that cause the airways to tighten, swell, and fill with mucus. • Asthma triggers include pollen, dust, and mold; animal dander; smoke; air pollution; perfumes; insecticides; certain foods; emotional stress; and other causes.

28. What to Know About Asthma • Asthma • Asthma attacks can be very serious. • An asthma attack is an episode of coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest experienced by a person who has asthma. • Some people may become extremely sick from asthma attacks and need to be hospitalized, and some people have died from them.

29. What to Know About Asthma • Exercise-induced asthma • Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is a condition in which a person has difficulty breathing during or shortly after strenuous physical activity. • The symptoms of EIA can be mild or severe and include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. • Some people with EIA suffer an asthma attack only with exercise.

30. What to Know About Asthma • Exercise-induced asthma • Exposure to cold, dry air during physical activity is a major trigger for EIA. • Proper medication allows most people who have EIA to participate in regular physical activity.  • Swimming and other indoor water sports provide an ideal environment for people who have EIA, because breathing warm, moist air usually helps the condition.

31. What to Know About Asthma • Ways to prevent asthma attacks  • People who have asthma can prevent asthma attacks by avoiding asthma triggers, recognizing warning signs, and taking certain medications. • People with asthma always should carry their medications with them in case of an attack.

32. What to Know About Asthma Six Warning Signs and Symptoms of Asthma The following are warning signs of an asthma attack: • coughing • wheezing • shortness of breath •tightness in the chest • rapid breathing • itchy or sore throat

33. Allergies • An allergy is an overreaction of the body to a substance that in most people causes no response. • An allergen is a substance that produces an allergic response.

34. What to Know About Allergies • Airborne allergens • The most common airborne allergens are animal dander, feathers, pollens, and mites. • Animal dander is flakes of dead skin from an animal. • Pollen is a yellowish powder produced by flowers, trees, and grass that can trigger an allergic response. • The most common response to pollen is hay fever.

35. What to Know About Allergies • Airborne allergens • Hay fever is a common term for seasonal respiratory allergies that typically occur in the spring and fall. • People who have hay fever may take medicine or receive shots regularly to lessen their responses to pollen. • Some people are allergic to house dust because it usually contains small fragments of mites and their feces. Mites are tiny, eight-legged animals that resemble spiders.

36. What to Know About Allergies • Other allergens • Not all allergies are airborne. • A person can be allergic to medication, latex, insect stings, or foods. • Many people are allergic to penicillin, an antibiotic. • Common food allergies include peanuts, eggs, milk, and shellfish.

37. What to Know About Allergies • Allergy tests • Skin tests can be used to identify allergens that produce allergic reactions. • A skin patch test involves applying allergens to the skin and observing the reaction. • Another test involves using a needle to place allergens under the skin and observing the reaction. • A wheal, or a round skin lump, indicates sensitivity to a particular allergen.

38. What to Know About Allergies • Treating allergies • Medications can help reduce or eliminate the severity of certain reactions. • People may need to receive medication on a regular basis.

40. Study Guide 1. Match the following terms and definitions. ___ wheal ___ asthma triggers ___ tuberculosis ___ SARS ___ Reye’s syndrome A. a disease that causes swelling of the brain and deterioration of liver function B. a bacterial infection of the lungs C. a contagious respiratory illness caused by a new type of coronavirus D. substances that cause the airways to tighten, swell, and fill with mucous E. a round skin lump that indicates sensitivity to a particular allergen E D B C A

41. Study Guide 2. Identify the following statements as true or false. _______ The most common allergic response to pollen is asthma. _______ Asthma is a chronic disease that cannot be cured. _______ Exposure to warm, moist air during physical activity is a major trigger for EIA. _______ Being exposed to cold weather or getting chilled can cause a cold. false true false false

42. 2D Study Guide 3. What is a tuberculin skin test? A tuberculin skin test is the injection of a protein substance under the skin in the forearm to determine if the person has been exposed to tuberculosis.

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