Communicable Diseases

Jan Morrow

Are you aware that all reportable communicable diseases are followed up by your local health center staff? The director, registered nurses and environmental staff must receive special training to follow up. So far this year, over 100 communicable diseases reports have been received locally and staff have investigated. Our job is to make sure that each patient understands the nature of their diagnosis and are following required treatment plans by their physician or nurse practitioner. This takes an extraordinary amount of time but your health department want to make sure proper protocols are followed.

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms - such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.

Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They’re normally harmless or even helpful, but under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease. Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person. Some are transmitted by bites from insects or animals. Others are acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water or being exposed to organisms in the environment.

Some of the diseases reported this year in our county are: Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Hepatitis A, Band C, Lyme Disease, animal bites, Tularemia, E-Coli, Shiga toxin, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, Coccidoidomycosis, Streptococcus Pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, etc.

Signs and symptoms vary depending on the organism causing the infection but often include fever and fatigue. Mild infections may respond to rest and home remedies, while some of these are life-threatening and may require hospitalizations. Many infectious diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, can be prevented by vaccines. Frequent and thorough hand-washing also helps protect you from most infectious diseases. Each infectious disease has its own specific signs and symptoms.

Things you can do to decrease your risk of infecting yourself or others from communicable diseases: Wash your hands, get vaccinated (immunizations), stay home when ill, prepare food safely, practice safe sex, don’t share personal items, travel wisely (if going out of the country, talk to your doctor about yellow fever, cholera, hepatitis A or B or typhoid fever, etc.)

Physicians and nurse practitioners are required to file a report on all communicable diseases. Reports are received by your local health center and the process of following up begins. We like to make sure our county residents are healthy and are following protocols.

If you have more questions, please call 996-2181 for more information.