The Dynamics of
Disease
Heath E. Capello
NSF North Mississippi GK-8
University of Mississippi
April 2006
The Run of the Show
 What
are diseases and how are they
studied?
 What are some common diseases in
Mississippi and how are they
prevented?
NSF North Mississippi GK-8
What is a disease?
 Any
condition of an organism that
impairs normal functioning
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What is epidemiology?
A
branch of science dealing with the
incidence, distribution, and control of
disease in a population
 Therefore, the person who studies
diseases is an epidemiologist
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Communicable diseases
 Diseases
that are transmittable
 What diseases could affect you?
 What are the symptoms?
 How can you decrease your risk of
contracting them?
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Communicable diseases
 West
Nile Virus
 Influenza
 Hepatitis A
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West Nile Virus
 As
of November 30, 2005, 70 cases
and 6 deaths in MS
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/cycle.htm
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West Nile Virus Symptoms
 Approximately
20% of infections result
in minor illness


1


Stomach problems
Headaches
out of 150 end up as severe cases
Neuro/muscular problems
General weakness and change in mental
state
NSF North Mississippi GK-8
West Nile Virus Prevention

Reduce standing water



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
Empty, turn over, and/or recycle cans, plastic
containers, ceramic pots, tires, wheelbarrows,
wading pools, etc.
Do not allow water gardens or ornamental ponds
to stand still or stagnate
Use mosquito fish in ponds or water gardens
Change the water in birdbaths at least once a
week
Clean rain gutters so water flows freely
Where protective clothing: long sleeves,
pants, and socks
 Avoid working in hours of dusk and dawn

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Influenza


A contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza
viruses
The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from
person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and
sneezes.



Up to 3 feet
Indirect contact before washing their hands.
Contagiousness



One day before he or she feels sick
3-7 days after symptoms start
Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm
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Influenza vs. The Common Cold
Symptoms
Cold
Flu
High fever (102 - 104° F);
Usually none
lasts 3 to 4 days
Fever
Headache
Usually none
Headaches can be strong
General aches,
pains
Very little
Often severe aches and
pains
Fatigue, weakness
Mild
Fatigue for up to 3 weeks
Extreme
exhaustion
Never
Exhaustion begins early
and remains
Nose usually
stuffy
Sneezing is
common
Throat is
usually sore
Stuffy nose
Sneezing
Sore throat
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
Chest discomfort,
cough
Sometimes
Chest discomfort and
coughing can be severe
Complications
Sinus
congestion or
earache
Bronchitis, pneumonia;
can be life-threatening
Prevention
None
Annual vaccination or
antiviral medicines; see
your doctor
Treatment
Only
temporary
relief of
symptoms
Antiviral medicines: see
your doctor
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http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_st
atic/14,0,199.html#ColdFlu
Influenza Prevention
 Avoid
close contact with people who
are sick.
 Stay home when you are sick.
 When coughing and/or sneezing,
cover your mouth and nose.
 Wash your hands.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or
mouth.
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Hepatitis A
A liver disease caused by the hepatitis A
virus
 Spread by




putting something in the mouth that has been
contaminated with the stool of a person with
hepatitis A
Exchange of bodily fluids or sex with a person
infected with has hepatitis A.
Casual contact, as in the usual office,
factory, or school setting, does not spread
the virus.
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Hepatitis A Symptoms
 jaundice
 fatigue
 abdominal
pain
 loss of appetite
 nausea
 diarrhea
 fever
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Hepatitis A Prevention
 Always
wash your hands with soap
and water after using the bathroom,
after changing a diaper, and before
preparing and eating food.
 Vaccine
 Good and safe personal hygiene
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Antibiotic resistance
 Bacteria
change in a way that reduces
or eliminates the efficacy of the drugs
designed to cure or prevent the
infection.
 These bacteria survive and multiply
causing more damage.
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Why does antibiotic resistance
happen?
 Widespread
and overuse of antibiotics
increases the likelihood of antibiotic
resistance.
 Antibiotics should be used to treat
bacterial infections, not viral
infections like the common cold, most
sore throats, and the flu.
NSF North Mississippi GK-8
How do we stop antibiotic
resistance?





Talk with your doctor and ask questions
about antibiotic resistance.
Do not take an antibiotic for a viral
infection like a cold or the flu.
Always take all of your antibiotic regiment.
Do not save some of your antibiotic for the
next time you get sick.
Take an antibiotic exactly as the doctor
prescribes.
Do not take someone else’s antibiotic.
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Hand washing

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Wet hands completely under running warm
water
Apply soap
Scrub vigorously for at least 15 seconds
and wash in between fingers and all sides of
the hands
Keep hands at a downward angle to flush
soap and water away from body
Rinse thoroughly and dry well without
touching any contaminated object
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Taking risks and
changing behaviors
Risk – the possibility of loss or injury
 Behavior - the response of an individual,
group, or species to its environment
 Risk Analysis - a technique




identifies and assesses factors that may cause
loss
helps define preventive measures
develops countermeasures to successfully deal
with loss
NSF North Mississippi GK-8
Review
 Disease
 Epidemiology
 Communicable
disease
 Risk
 Disease
facts and prevention
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References

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Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: www.m-w.com
Mississippi Department of Health:
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/index.htm
Multnomah Education Service District:
http://w3.mesd.k12.or.us/shs/disease.html#5
New Mexico Department of Health:
http://www.health.state.nm.us/IOHO/
Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
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