13.2 Microbiology: Communicable Diseases

Question 1

What is the definition of a communicable disease?

Answer 1

Communicable diseases are illnesses caused by viruses or bacteria that people spread to one another through contact with contaminated surfaces, bodily fluids, blood products, insect bites, or through the air. CANNOT be inherited. E.g. TB, AIDS, thyphoid, cholera, malaria

• Is acute

Question 2

What is the definition of a non-communicable disease?

Answer 2

The disease which does not spread from one person to another through any mode. Caused due to allergy, illness, malnutrition or abnormalities in cell proliferation, changes in lifestyle, environment play a significant role. Can be inherited.(NO infectious agent) e.g. cancer, allergies, diabetes, heart diseases.

• Is chronic

Question 3

Precautions with communicable diseases

Answer 3

1. Wear mask wherever needed.
2. Wash your hands every time.
3. Avoid sharing one’s belongings.
4. Stay away from the person who is infected with any disease.

Question 4

Precautions with non-communicable diseases

Answer 4

1. Should go for regular body check-up.
2. Maintain proper diet.
3. By doing exercise daily.
4. Take proper sleep and rest.

Question 5

What are the key causes of diseases?

Answer 5

1. Injury
   
   1. ​Physical injury
   2. Emotional stress
   3. Radiation
2. Toxicity
   
   1. ​Exogenous
   2. Endogenous
3. Deficiency
   
   1. ​Nutrients
   2. Sunlight, air, water
   3. Rest (physical and mental)

Question 6

What are key protocols when caring for someone with a blood born pathogen (e.g. Hepatitis B)?

Answer 6

• Understating of the routes of transmission
• Understating the risk associated with various procedures e.g. taking of blood samples etc.
• Use of PPE
• Body fluids as source of infection
• Sanitisation

Question 7

What happens when someone has a notifiable disease?

Answer 7

• Registered medical practitioners (RMPs) have a statutory duty to notify the ‘proper officer’ at their local council or local health protection team (HPT) of suspected cases of certain infectious diseases.

Question 8

Explain the risk assessment of communicable diseases

Answer 8

• 0 (Very low/easy) -4 (Very high/difficult) grade system for:
  
  • SEVERITY
  • UNCERTAINTY
  • SPREAD
  • INTERVENTION
  • CONTEXT (E.g. public concern)

Question 9

What are the key issues with hospital acquired infections?

Answer 9

1. Susceptible individuals
2. AMR
3. Potential for rapid spread

Question 10

What are the key players in the health protection system?

Answer 10

1. Local partnership
   
   1. ​Local authorities
2. The public
3. NHS partners
   
   1. ​GP practices
   2. NHS acute trusts
   3. Community trusts
4. PHE
   
   1. ​Public health england
5. Other key partners
   
   1. ​National Government Departments
   2. Health & Safety excecutive

Question 11

What are the strategic priorities of PHE?

Answer 11

1. Optimise vaccine provision and reduce vaccine preventable disease in England
2. Be a world leader in tackling Antimicrobial resistancee (AMR)