2. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

3. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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. –OTC medicines can help relieve cold symptoms.

4. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

5. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

6. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

7. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

8. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

9. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

10. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

11. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

12. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. What to Know About Communicable Respiratory Diseases Tuberculosis –Tuberculosis is 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.

13. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

14. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

15. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.

16. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display information. 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.