Controlling the Spread of Disease

Controlling the Spread of Disease Cholera Cholera is caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae, which contaminates food and drinking water This bacterium infects the small intestines with a toxin called CTX , which in turn causes severe diarrhoea Normally present in coastal waters, attaching to crustaceans known as copepods which are found in plankton rich environments (WordPress, 2014). This bacteria does not always make people ill however, this bacteria may come out in stools, which can contaminate the water supply When vibrio cholerae enters the human body toxic poisons are released, causing diarrhoea The nutrients in the water enables provides ideal condition for the bacteria to multiply Prevention To prevent contracting cholera use bottled or boiled water when drinking and preparing food and drink Thoroughly washing hands on a regular basis Malaria: a potentially life threatening disease The life cycle of malaria Malaria plasmodium parasites have two hosts; female anopheles females and humans Female anopheles mosquitos infected by malaria parasites Inject sporozites into humans whilst feeding on their blood Sporozites then infect cells within the liver; transforming into thousands of merozoites. These merozites travel out of the liver and then invade the red blood cells; where they multiply forming new merozites Red blood cells then burst; this releases merozites which go on to infect other cells Whilst invading red blood cells merozites can develop into gametocytes; which is the sexual reproductive stage. Gametocytes are sucked up by mosquitos when they are feeding; fusing with gametes to make zygotes in the mosquitos gut Zygotes become fertilised and form motile ookinete; which turn into oocyst, these then multiply producing thousands of sporozoites These then move into the salivary gland of the mosquito after around a week; ready to infect humans So what can be done to protect against malaria? The use of mosquito nets are commonly used to stop mosquitos from biting as well as the use of insect repellent Some medicines are given to people to help prevent the risk of contracting malaria: doxycycline, proguanil with atovaquone, mefloquine; some of which need to be taken for weeks after return (disqus, 2014). Influenza Influenza (flu) is a common viral infection which attacks the nose, throat and lungs (respiratory system) Influenza is air borne and can be transmitted between people if someone has the virus and sneezes, others can inhale this The virus can also be present on objects an infected person has touched Cytokines are produced when the innate immune system starts to respond to the threat these induce responses such as the inflammatory response Lifecycle The flu enters its host and then invades cells within the respiratory system The virus uses its host cell to replicate its DNA; forcing the cell to make copies of the virus This triggers the body’s immune response which sends white blood cells to the area of infection If not stopped the virus can then break free from the host cell allowing it to infect other cells around the body (fitbuff.com, 2009). Prevention Vaccinations are offered to protect against influenza but are not one hundred percent effective Washing hands regularly prevents the spread of infection Athlete’s foot (trichophyton) Trichophyton rubrum causes tinea pedis (athletes foot) which feeds off keratin in the upper layer of the skin, hair and nails Trichophyton rubrum form part of the dermatophytes which is a group of fungi Within four to ten days symptoms appear as a result of body’s inflammatory response; resulting in a red rash on the skin The blistered and itchy skin occurs as a result of the trichophyton reproducing on the skin, particularly they like moist places such as in-between the toes If the fungus infection is not treated it can spread to other areas of the feet such as the toe nails This fungi can be passed from person to person and is prevalent in public showers and swimming pools, where skin particles are left around Symptoms Skin between the toes can burn and become itchy Early treatment is recommended If untreated in the first instance it can cause the skin to become cracked and infected further with bacteria The fungus infection may cause an unpleasant smell Prevention Thoroughly washing feet daily and making sure all areas are completely dry before putting socks on Not wearing socks and shoes where possible to allow air to circulate around the feet Changing socks regularly, this is because fungus can multiply on flakes of skin Bibliography Advameg. 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