What is chickenpox?
Contagious? Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness.
Cause? It is caused by a virus.
Serious? No. It is usually a mild illness.
Symptoms? Itchy rash on the face, scalp and trunk with pink spots and tiny fluid-filled
blisters that dry and become scabs four to five days later..
Who gets chickenpox?
Usually children younger than ten years of age.
Vaccine?
YES!
Most people who are vaccinated will not get chickenpox. Those who are vaccinated and
develop chickenpox usually have a mild form of the illness. They have fewer spots and
recover faster.
How is chickenpox spread?
By touching the blisters, saliva or mucus of an infected person. The virus can also be
spread by coughing and sneezing. Chickenpox can be spread indirectly by touching
contaminated items freshly soiled, such as clothing, from an infected person.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
Fever, weakness, an itchy blister-like rash. The blisters eventually dry, crust over and
form scabs.
What is fifth disease?
Fifth disease is a viral infection.
Who gets fifth disease?
Anyone can be infected, most often elementary school-age children.
How is the virus spread?
The virus is spread by coughing and sneezing.
What are the symptoms and when do they appear?
A low grade fever and tiredness. A red rash generally appears on the cheeks giving a
slapped face appearance.
How is fifth disease diagnosed?
In most cases, the disease is diagnosed based on the appearance of typical symptoms. A
specific blood test to confirm the diagnosis has recently become available but is not
necessary in healthy children.
What is the treatment?
At this time, there is no specific treatment.
What are the complications associated with fifth
disease?
It sometimes harms babies before they are born.
What is rubella or German measles?
Highly contagious viral disease.
Symptoms: slight fever, mild rash and swollen glands.
Serious? Most cases are mild.
Who gets rubella?
Vaccination? Yes! Rubella still remains a common disease in many parts of the world
and the risk of exposure to rubella outside of the United States is high.
How is rubella spread?
Rubella is spread by direct contact with mucus of infected individuals. Rubella can also
be transmitted by sneezes, coughs or talks.
What are the symptoms of rubella?
Rubella is a mild illness but it can hurt unborn babies.
Symptoms may include a rash, slight fever, joint aches, headache, discomfort, runny
nose, sore throat and reddened eyes.
Does past infection with rubella make a person
immune?
Yes. Immunity acquired after contracting the disease is usually permanent.
What is the vaccine for rubella?
Rubella vaccine is given in combination measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.
What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection.
Symptoms? a blister-like rash that, as the name implies, involves the hands, feet and
mouth.
Vaccination?
No!
Who gets hand, foot and mouth disease?
Children under 10 years old, and sometimes young adults.
How is it spread?
Spread by mucus, saliva and contact with the blisters.
What are the symptoms and when do they start?
Symptoms are fever, poor appetite, runny nose and sore throat, a blister-like rash on the
hands, feet and in the mouth.
Can there be complications associated with hand, foot
and mouth disease?
The illness is typically mild, complications are rare.
What is impetigo?
Impetigo is a common infection of the skin.
Symptoms? blisters that may occur anywhere on the body but are usually observed
around the nose or mouth.
Cause? It is caused by bacteria.
Who gets impetigo?
Commonly, children and young adults.
How is impetigo spread?
Impetigo is spread person to person through direct contact with discharge from blisters.
What are the symptoms of impetigo?
An itchy rash or red sores form that blister and then ooze.
What is the treatment for impetigo?
Impetigo can be successfully treated with antibiotics
Impetigo is contagious.
What is infectious mononucleosis?
Infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease that affects certain blood cells.
Who gets infectious mononucleosis?
Most often in high school and college students.
How is infectious mononucleosis spread?
The virus is spread by person-to-person contact, via saliva.
What are the symptoms of infectious mononucleosis?
Symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollen glands and feeling tired.
What is the treatment for infectious mononucleosis?
No treatment other than rest is needed in the vast majority of cases.
What can a person do to minimize the spread of
infectious mononucleosis?
Avoid activities involving the transfer of body fluids (commonly saliva) with someone
who is currently or recently infected with the disease. At present, there is no vaccine
available to prevent infectious mononucleosis.
What Everyone Should Know About Flu and the Flu
Vaccine
What is the flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
Serious? It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
Vaccine? Yes
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms:
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fever (usually high)
headache
extreme tiredness
dry cough
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
muscle aches
stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may occur in children
but are rare in adults
How is the flu spread?
The flu is spread by coughing and sneezing. It can be spread by touching something with
virus on it and then touching the mouth or nose.
What is head lice (pediculosis) ?
An infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothing with the eggs, larvae or adults of
lice. The crawling stages of this insect feed on human blood, which can result in severe
itching.
Who gets head lice?
Anyone may become louse infested under suitable conditions of exposure.
How is head lice spread?
Head lice can occur during direct contact with an infested individual. Sharing of clothing
and combs or brushes may also result in transmission of these insects.
What are the symptoms of lice?
itching or scratching in the area of the body where the lice feed.
What is the treatment for lice?
Medicated shampoos or cream rinses.
What is tetanus?
Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a serious bacterial disease that affects muscles and
nerves.
Who gets tetanus?
As a result of widespread immunization, tetanus is now a rare disease in the United
States. Tetanus remains a major problem in many developing countries where women are
not immunized appropriately against tetanus.
How is tetanus spread?
In unvaccinated individuals, tetanus is contracted through a cut or deep wound which
becomes contaminated with the organism.
Where is the tetanus bacteria found?
The tetanus bacterium is present throughout the environment and is commonly found in
soil contaminated with manure, and animal and human feces.
What are the symptoms of tetanus?
A common first sign of tetanus is muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw), followed by
stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms,
sweating, and fever.
How soon after infection do symptoms occur?
The incubation period is usually eight days but may range from three days to three weeks.
Shorter incubation periods are associated with more heavily contaminated wounds.
Is there a vaccine for tetanus?
YES!
What is Lyme disease?
Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted by the deer tick.
Who gets Lyme disease?
Lyme disease can affect people of any age. People who spend time in grassy and wooded
environments are at an increased risk of exposure.
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
In 60-80 percent of cases, a rash resembling a bull's eye or solid patch, about two inches
in diameter, appears and expands around or near the site of the bite, chills and fever,
headache, fatigue, stiff neck, muscle and/or joint pain, and swollen glands.
When do symptoms appear?
Early symptoms usually appear within three to 30 days after the bite of an infected tick.
What can be done to prevent Lyme disease?
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When in tick-infested habitat - wooded and grassy areas - take special precautions
to prevent tick bites, such as wearing light-colored clothing (for easy tick
discovery) and tucking pants into socks and shirt into pants. Repellents can be
effective at reducing bites from ticks that can transmit disease.
What is malaria?
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease.
Who gets malaria?
Any person residing in or traveling to a country where malaria is prevalent is at risk for
contracting the disease. Malaria is currently a problem in tropical or subtropical areas of
Asia, Africa and Central and South America.
How is malaria spread?
Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
What are the symptoms of malaria?
Symptoms include fever, chills, sweats and headache, and in some instances may
progress to jaundice, blood coagulation defects, shock, kidney or liver failure, central
nervous system disorders and coma.
Vaccine?
NO!
What is mumps?
Mumps is a viral disease
How is mumps spread?
Mumps is transmitted by direct contact with saliva produced in the mouth and discharges
from the nose and throat of infected individuals.
What are the symptoms of mumps?
Symptoms of mumps include a low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff neck,
tiredness and loss of appetite followed by swelling and tenderness of one or more of the
salivary glands
What complications have been associated with mumps?
Severe complications are rare.
What is the treatment for mumps?
There is no specific treatment for mumps.
Does past infection with mumps make a person
immune?
Immunity acquired after contracting the disease is usually long term.
Is there a vaccine for mumps?
Yes.
What is pertussis/ whooping cough?
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes an
uncontrollable, violent cough lasting several weeks or even months.
Who gets pertussis?
Pertussis can occur at any age.
How is pertussis spread?
Pertussis is primarily spread from person to person by direct contact with mucus.
What are the symptoms of pertussis?
Pertussis begins as a mild upper respiratory infection. Initially, symptoms resemble those
of a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough.
Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of
numerous rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high pitched whoop. A thick, clear
mucous may be discharged from the nose.
What are the complications associated with pertussis?
Major complications of pertussis are more common among infants and young children
and may include pneumonia, middle ear infection, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance,
syncope (temporary loss of consciousness), dehydration, seizures, encephalopathy (a
disorder of the brain), apneic episodes (brief delay in breathing) and death.
What is the treatment for pertussis?
The recommended antibiotics for the treatment and postexposure prevention of pertussis
include azithromycin (Zithromax), erythromycin and clarithromycin (Biaxin).
Alternately, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) can be used.
Is there a vaccine for pertussis?
Yes!
What is rabies?
Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the brain.
Who gets rabies?
All mammals including humans can get rabies.
How do people get rabies?
Rabies virus is found in the saliva and nervous tissue of rabid animals. Rabies is most
commonly transmitted to people who are bitten by and therefore exposed to the saliva of
a rabid animal.
What are the symptoms of rabies?
Early symptoms include irritability, headache, fever and sometimes itching or pain at the
site of exposure. Within days, the disease progresses to paralysis, spasms of the throat
muscles, convulsions, delirium and death.
Why is pet vaccination important?
Pet vaccination is important because vaccinated pets act as a barrier between wild
animals and people to keep the rabies virus from spreading.
What is smallpox?
Smallpox is an acute, contagious and sometimes fatal disease.
Who gets smallpox?
The last naturally occurring case of smallpox occurred in Somalia in 1977 and the World
Health Organization has considered the disease eradicated since 1979.
How is smallpox spread?
Smallpox spreads from contact with infected persons.
What are the symptoms of smallpox?
The symptoms of smallpox begin with high fever, head and body aches, and sometimes
vomiting. A rash follows that spreads and progresses to raised bumps and pus-filled
blisters that crust, scab and fall off after about three weeks, leaving a pitted scar.
What is the treatment for smallpox?
Vaccine administered up to four days after exposure to the virus, and before the rash
appears, provides protective immunity and can prevent infection or lessen the severity of
the disease. No effective treatment, other than the management of symptoms, is currently
available. A number of compounds are under investigation as chemotherapeutic agents.
What is yellow fever?
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease. The disease occurs in tropical and
subtropical areas.
Who gets yellow fever?
This disease can affect anyone.
How is yellow fever spread?
A certain type of mosquito.
What are the symptoms of yellow fever?
Initial symptoms may include fever, headache, vomiting and backache. As the disease
progresses, the pulse slows and weakens, and bleeding of the gums and bloody urine
occur. Jaundice may also occur.
What is the treatment for yellow fever?
There is no specific treatment for yellow fever. People traveling to areas where yellow
fever may exist should be immunized.
Immunization?
YES!
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease usually affecting the lungs.
Who gets tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis can affect anyone of any age.
How is tuberculosis spread?
Tuberculosis is spread through the air when a person with untreated pulmonary TB
coughs or sneezes.
What are the symptoms of tuberculosis?
The symptoms of TB include a low-grade fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss and a
persistent cough. Some people may not have obvious symptoms.
What can be done to prevent the spread of
tuberculosis?
The most important way to stop the spread of tuberculosis is for TB patients to cover the
mouth and nose when coughing, and to take all the TB medicine exactly as prescribed by
the physician.