Diseases and Infection
Recognised as a condition that are incited by numerous microorganisms situated in our
bodies, Infectious Diseases can be brought about by protists and parasites. While they
are predominantly innocuous and beneficial, under particular conditions bring arise to
moderate or severe illnesses.
There are various modes of transmissions for these diseases, inclusive of:
Direct Contact
The disease is transferred when an infected individual comes into contact with
predisposed individual or animal, ensuing in its spread. This consists of:
Zoonotic Diseases
Identified as the spread of pathogens between animals and humans, Zoonosis
transpires when an individual either
a. Pets or touches the animal
b. Gets bitten or scratched by an animal
c. Comes into contact with its bodily fluids (saliva/urine)
Rabies
Animals initially get rabies when they get bitten or come into contact with the
saliva of the infected animal. It can only transpire if the skin has been punctured.
The virus will invade the body, travelling to the brain and severely infecting its
nervous system. Rabies not only affects animals, but humans too, and are
therefore susceptible to contracting the disease.
Once the rabies virus reaches the brain, it induces acute inflammation, triggering
psychotic, aggressive and volatile behaviours that are uncharacteristic pertaining
to the individual. The period between exposure to an infection and the
appearance of the first symptoms can be from a few days to a year. The infected
may experience:
a. A State of Anxiety and Confusion
b. Flu-like Symptoms (Nausea/Fever)
c. Agitation/Irritability/Excessive Movements
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, d. Muscle Spasms
e. Seizures/Convulsions
f. Hallucinations
g. Extreme Weakness/Partial Paralysis
h. Hydrophobia/Fear of Water
Figure 1- Depicting Effects of Rabies Figure 2 – Illustrating the Deterioration of the
Brain
If these symptoms begin to present themselves, then the likely-hood of being able
to treat the disease decreases drastically. As there is not formative way to treat
rabies, medical professionals choose to concentrate on preventing the disease
after exposure. This is accomplished by administering two medications:
i. The Rabies Vaccine
Applied in a sequence of four doses on day zero, three, seven, and
fourteen (additionally, day twenty-eight for those with a weak immune
systems), the vaccine contains the virus and helps build immunity to the
illness.
ii. The Rabies Immune Globulin
After the medical professionals have injected the patient with the vaccine,
they immediately give the Globulin, as it functions to provide extra
protection.
Other ways of decreasing the probability of exposure to rabies is by
a. Reporting Stray Animals or Pets
b. Vaccinating your Kids or Pets
c. Due not Touch or Feed Stray Pets or Animals
All these methods are considered to be extremely effective as they are the only
known methods of prevention as there is no definite cure to the disease as of
now.
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, Person – Person Contact
This occurs when the disease is passed on to a healthy individual from an
infection person. This happens if they touch or exchange body fluids, as seen in
Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Infections (STD’s/STI’s). Statistics from
https://freshstudentliving.co.uk/ show that last year there was a five percent
increases in STD diagnosis’ with approximately forty-four thousand and eight
hundred cases being reported. It is very prominent in the United Kingdom.
Gonorrhoea
Informally known as “The Clap”, this sexually transmitted infection is brought
about by Neisseria Gonococcus/Gonorrhoeae, a bacterium. It occurs when a male
or female has anal, vaginal, or oral intercourse without any form of protection. It
can also be attained by sharing sex toys that have not been properly cleaned.
Additionally, if a female is pregnant, they can pass the STI onto their child, via the
placenta. Therefore, they will contract it too.
Once the bacterium invades the body, it will get into the individuals blood stream
and infect other regions. It tends to target warm areas such as:
a. Eyes
Causes pain and sensitivity in the eyes, and abnormal discharge
b. Anus
Causes abnormal discharge and itchiness. May dispel blood and straining
when bowel movements occur.
c. Throat
Lymph nodes around the neck will begin to swell, there will be an infection
of the throat.
d. Joints
They will start to swell, inheriting a red colour. The individual will
experience pain when trying to move.
Figure 3 – Displaying A Sore Throat Figure 4 – Displaying Swollen/Red Joints
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