COMMUNICABLE DISEASES | What? Why? How?

National Institute for Communicable Diseases

1 Feb 201905:25

Summary

TLDRThe National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa addresses the spread and causes of communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases. These diseases, caused by germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or toxins, can be transmitted through direct contact, including person-to-person, sexually, from mother to unborn child, and through droplets from coughing or sneezing. Indirect transmission occurs via contaminated objects, food, water, and animal contact. The video also covers airborne diseases like measles and those spread by insects like malaria, providing a comprehensive look into disease transmission.

Takeaways

🏥 The NICD is South Africa's National Public Health Institute that specializes in communicable diseases.
🌐 Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, are illnesses that can spread from person to person.
🦠 These diseases are caused by various pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or toxins.
🤝 Direct contact transmission occurs through physical contact or exchange of body fluids between infected and susceptible individuals.
🤰 Mother-to-unborn child transmission can occur when a pregnant woman passes infectious agents to her fetus.
💧 Droplet spread happens when infectious diseases are transmitted through the spray of droplets from coughing, sneezing, or even talking.
🌪️ Airborne transmission allows some infectious agents to travel long distances and remain in the air, infecting others by breathing.
🚪 Indirect contact can lead to infection through touching contaminated objects like doorknobs and then touching one's face.
🍽️ Food and waterborne transmission occurs when infectious diseases are spread via contaminated food and drinking water.
🐾 Animal-to-person transmission happens when infectious diseases are transmitted from animals to humans, often through bites, scratches, or handling waste.
🦟 Vector-borne transmission is when diseases are spread by blood-sucking insects like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks after feeding on infected hosts.

Q & A

What is the primary role of the NICD in South Africa?
-The NICD serves as the National Public Health Institute for South Africa, providing reference microbiology, virology, epidemiology, surveillance, and public health research to support the government's response to communicable diseases threats.
What are communicable diseases commonly known as?
-Communicable diseases are most commonly known as infectious diseases.
What types of germs can cause communicable diseases?
-Communicable diseases can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or toxins.
How are communicable diseases typically transmitted?
-Communicable diseases are typically transmitted through direct contact or indirect contact.
Can you explain direct contact transmission in the context of communicable diseases?
-Direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person, such as through touching or exchanging body fluids.
How can a pregnant woman transmit communicable diseases to her unborn child?
-A pregnant woman may pass germs that cause infectious diseases to an unborn baby through the placenta or during birth through germs in the vagina.
What is droplet spread and how does it relate to the transmission of communicable diseases?
-Droplet spread involves the spray of droplets from coughing, sneezing, or even speaking, which can transmit infectious diseases when another person is in close proximity.
How can communicable diseases be spread through the air?
-Communicable diseases can be spread through the air via airborne transmission, where infectious agents travel and remain suspended in the air, potentially infecting others who breathe them in.
What is an example of how communicable diseases can be spread through contaminated objects?
-Communicable diseases can spread through touching contaminated objects like doorknobs and then touching one's mouth, nose, or eyes before washing hands.
How can food and drinking water contribute to the spread of communicable diseases?
-Infectious diseases can be transmitted through contaminated food and water, such as E. coli from improperly handled produce or uncooked meat.
What is the term for diseases transmitted from animals to humans, and can you provide an example?
-The term for diseases transmitted from animals to humans is 'zoonotic diseases'. Examples include diseases transmitted through animal bites or scratches, or handling pet waste.
How do insects contribute to the spread of communicable diseases?
-Insects, particularly those that suck blood like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks, can become infected by feeding on infected hosts and then transmit diseases to new hosts through their bites.

Outlines

00:00

😷 Understanding Communicable Diseases

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa serves as a public health institute, offering support through microbiology, virology, epidemiology, and research to combat communicable diseases. This paragraph explains communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, which are illnesses caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or toxins and can spread from person to person. The modes of transmission are categorized into direct contact, such as person-to-person, sexual contact, mother-to-child, and droplet spread, and indirect contact, including airborne transmission, contaminated objects, food and water, and animal-to-person contact. The paragraph also touches on zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases transmitted by insects like mosquitoes and ticks.

05:03

🔍 Further Learning on Communicable Diseases

For those seeking to delve deeper into the subject of communicable diseases, the paragraph suggests visiting the World Health Organization's (WHO) website and exploring the 'Diseases A-Z Index'. This resource provides a comprehensive list of diseases, allowing users to access detailed information on each condition, including its causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. The music in the background signifies a call to action for viewers to engage with the material and expand their knowledge on the topic.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Communicable diseases

Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, are illnesses that can be spread from one person to another. These diseases are caused by germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or toxins. In the video, communicable diseases are described as a major public health threat, emphasizing their capacity to infect large numbers of people through various transmission methods.

💡Direct contact transmission

Direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person. This can include person-to-person contact, like touching or exchanging body fluids, which can happen before the infected individual shows symptoms. The video provides examples such as sexually transmitted diseases and transmission from mother to child during pregnancy.

💡Indirect contact transmission

Indirect contact transmission involves the spread of infectious diseases without direct human-to-human contact. This includes airborne transmission, contaminated objects, or transmission through food and water. The video illustrates how germs can linger on objects like doorknobs or travel through the air, spreading diseases such as measles or tuberculosis.

💡Droplet transmission

Droplet transmission refers to the spread of disease through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even speaks. These droplets can carry germs over short distances, typically within a few feet. The video mentions that diseases like the common cold or the flu can spread this way, requiring close proximity between individuals.

💡Airborne transmission

Airborne transmission occurs when infectious agents remain suspended in the air for long periods, allowing them to infect individuals who breathe in the contaminated air. This type of transmission can happen with diseases like measles or chickenpox, which can spread even after an infected person has left the room. The video highlights the dangerous potential of airborne diseases to infect large groups.

💡Person-to-person contact

Person-to-person contact is a type of direct transmission where infectious diseases are passed through physical interactions, such as touching or exchanging fluids. This mode of transmission can occur before symptoms of illness appear. Examples from the video include the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV through bodily fluids.

💡Contaminated objects

Contaminated objects refer to surfaces or items that have been exposed to germs from an infected person, potentially spreading disease if touched by others. In the video, examples include doorknobs and other surfaces that can carry infectious agents, which people may unknowingly transfer to their eyes, nose, or mouth, leading to infection.

💡Zoonotic diseases

Zoonotic diseases are infections transmitted from animals to humans, often through bites, scratches, or contact with animal waste. Insects like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can also transmit zoonotic diseases, such as malaria or West Nile virus. The video discusses how these diseases are spread through interactions with infected animals or insect bites.

💡Mother-to-child transmission

Mother-to-child transmission occurs when a pregnant woman passes germs to her unborn baby, either through the placenta or during childbirth. The video mentions this type of direct contact transmission, explaining how certain diseases can be transmitted from mother to child, such as germs that pass through the vagina during birth.

💡Contaminated food and water

Contaminated food and water can be a source of infectious disease transmission. Pathogens like E. coli can be spread through improperly handled or undercooked food, or via drinking water contaminated with germs. The video explains how poor food handling practices and unsafe water sources can lead to outbreaks of communicable diseases.

Highlights

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa provides public health research and surveillance for communicable diseases.

Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, can spread from person to person.

Communicable diseases are caused by germs such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or toxins.

There are two main ways communicable diseases can spread: direct contact and indirect contact.

Direct contact transmission occurs through physical contact or exchange of body fluids.

Sexually transmitted diseases and mother-to-unborn-child transmission are examples of direct contact.

Droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking can spread diseases through close proximity.

Airborne transmission allows diseases to travel long distances and remain suspended in the air.

Measles is an example of an airborne disease that can be caught by simply breathing the air in a room.

Contaminated objects can spread diseases if touched and then the mouth, nose, or eyes are touched without washing hands.

Infectious diseases can be transmitted through contaminated food and water, such as E. coli.

Animal-to-person contact can lead to transmission of zoonotic diseases.

Insect vectors like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can transmit diseases from infected hosts to humans.

Malaria, West Nile virus, and tick bite fever are examples of diseases spread by insect vectors.

For more information on communicable diseases, the NICD suggests visiting their website and exploring the disease's A-Z index.