The Dynamics of Disease

1. The Dynamics of Disease Heath E. Capello NSF North Mississippi GK-8 University of Mississippi April 2006

2. The Run of the Show • What are diseases and how are they studied? • What are some common diseases in Mississippi and how are they prevented? NSF North Mississippi GK-8

3. What is a disease? • Any condition of an organism that impairs normal functioning NSF North Mississippi GK-8

4. What is epidemiology? • A branch of science dealing with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population • Therefore, the person who studies diseases is an epidemiologist NSF North Mississippi GK-8

5. Communicable diseases • Diseases that are transmittable • What diseases could affect you? • What are the symptoms? • How can you decrease your risk of contracting them? NSF North Mississippi GK-8

6. Communicable diseases • West Nile Virus • Influenza • Hepatitis A NSF North Mississippi GK-8

7. West Nile Virus • As of November 30, 2005, 70 cases and 6 deaths in MS http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/cycle.htm NSF North Mississippi GK-8

8. West Nile Virus Symptoms • Approximately 20% of infections result in minor illness • Stomach problems • Headaches • 1 out of 150 end up as severe cases • Neuro/muscular problems • General weakness and change in mental state NSF North Mississippi GK-8

9. West Nile Virus Prevention • Reduce standing water • Empty, turn over, and/or recycle cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, tires, wheelbarrows, wading pools, etc. • Do not allow water gardens or ornamental ponds to stand still or stagnate • Use mosquito fish in ponds or water gardens • Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week • Clean rain gutters so water flows freely • Where protective clothing: long sleeves, pants, and socks • Avoid working in hours of dusk and dawn NSF North Mississippi GK-8

10. Influenza • A contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza viruses • The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. • Up to 3 feet • Indirect contact before washing their hands. • Contagiousness • One day before he or she feels sick • 3-7 days after symptoms start • Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm NSF North Mississippi GK-8

11. Influenza vs. The Common Cold http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/msdhsite/_static/14,0,199.html#ColdFlu NSF North Mississippi GK-8

12. Influenza Prevention • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • When coughing and/or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose. • Wash your hands. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. NSF North Mississippi GK-8

13. Hepatitis A • A liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus • Spread by • putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A • Exchange of bodily fluids or sex with a person infected with has hepatitis A.  • Casual contact, as in the usual office, factory, or school setting, does not spread the virus. NSF North Mississippi GK-8

14. Hepatitis A Symptoms • jaundice • fatigue • abdominal pain • loss of appetite • nausea • diarrhea • fever NSF North Mississippi GK-8

15. Hepatitis A Prevention • Always wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, after changing a diaper, and before preparing and eating food. • Vaccine • Good and safe personal hygiene NSF North Mississippi GK-8

16. Antibiotic resistance • Bacteria change in a way that reduces or eliminates the efficacy of the drugs designed to cure or prevent the infection. • These bacteria survive and multiply causing more damage. NSF North Mississippi GK-8

17. Why does antibiotic resistance happen? • Widespread and overuse of antibiotics increases the likelihood of antibiotic resistance. • Antibiotics should be used to treat bacterial infections, not viral infections like the common cold, most sore throats, and the flu. NSF North Mississippi GK-8

18. How do we stop antibiotic resistance? • Talk with your doctor and ask questions about antibiotic resistance. • Do not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold or the flu. • Always take all of your antibiotic regiment. Do not save some of your antibiotic for the next time you get sick. • Take an antibiotic exactly as the doctor prescribes. • Do not take someone else’s antibiotic. NSF North Mississippi GK-8

19. Hand washing • Wet hands completely under running warm water • Apply soap • Scrub vigorously for at least 15 seconds and wash in between fingers and all sides of the hands • Keep hands at a downward angle to flush soap and water away from body • Rinse thoroughly and dry well without touching any contaminated object NSF North Mississippi GK-8

20. Taking risks and changing behaviors • Risk – the possibility of loss or injury • Behavior - the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment • Risk Analysis - a technique • identifies and assesses factors that may cause loss • helps define preventive measures • develops countermeasures to successfully deal with loss NSF North Mississippi GK-8

21. Review • Disease • Epidemiology • Communicable disease • Risk • Disease facts and prevention NSF North Mississippi GK-8

22. References • Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov • Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary: www.m-w.com • Mississippi Department of Health: http://www.msdh.state.ms.us/index.htm • Multnomah Education Service District: http://w3.mesd.k12.or.us/shs/disease.html#5 • New Mexico Department of Health: http://www.health.state.nm.us/IOHO/ • Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page NSF North Mississippi GK-8