Communicable Disease This information will help you learn

about how communicable diseases make you sick and what you can do to prevent germs from getting into your body.

What are communicable diseases? A communicable disease such as a cold is a disease that spreads from person to person. Communicable diseases are diseases that you can "catch" from someone or something else. Some people may use the words contagious or infectious when talking about communicable diseases. BACK TO CONTENTS What do you "catch" when you get a communicable disease? When a person becomes sick with a communicable disease it means a germ has invaded their body. Germs fear soap and water. Washing your hands well and often is the best way to beat these tiny warriors.

Types of communicale diseases

H1N1 (Swine) Flu 2009

Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) cases have been reported in 168 countries, all 50 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia. Although H1N1 cases continue to be mild in Alameda County, we advise residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of getting H1N1 or other influenza. What is Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)?

Novel H1N1 Flu (officially called Novel Influenza A H1N1 Virus) is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A flu viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that this current strain of Swine Flu virus (H1N1) can infect humans, spread from human to human, and cause illness. At this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads. What can you do to protect yourself?

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also work. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash or flush it down the toilet after you use it. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Stay home from work or school if you get sick with the flu. Limit contact with others for 7 days or until you feel better (whichever is longer). Stay informed. Get updated information from the CDC >>

What is Alameda County Public Health Doing about Novel Influenza A H1N1 Virus?

Activating county-wide systems to ensure that medical personnel can respond appropriately to cases identified. Updating our website as soon as new information becomes available to make sure the public is informed. Actively linking a variety of institutions and agencies such as schools, community based organizations, and community clinics to the most recent information. Staying in constant, daily communication with local, state, and federal authorities to ensure a comprehensive, county-wide response to this health threat. Mobilizing all Public Health Department staff to ensure residents are protected when cases are identified in Alameda County.

02. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is an uncommon respiratory disease caused by hantaviruses, most often the Sin Nombre virus. Though rare, HPS can be fatal. Deer mice are the primary carriers for the virus though other rodents can carry the virus as well. The virus is shed in the droppings, urine, and saliva of rodents. Humans can become infected when they inhale the virus which can get into the air when rodent droppings, urine, or nesting materials are agitated. Humans cannot transmit the virus to one another (e.g. close contact with or providing healthcare to someone who is infected). Please note that hantavirus has been found in individuals who recently stayed in tent cabins in Yosemite National Park in the summer of 2012 and alerts have been made to the public. For information about recent or planned travel to Yosemite National Park, please visit the following website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hantavirus.htm

03. Basic Information About HIV/AIDS

What is HIV/AIDS? The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS, the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Over 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and almost a fifth (18.1%) of HIV infected Americans are unaware of their status. Although there have been major advances in the prevention and treatment of HIV, we continue to see too many new HIV infections and too many AIDS deaths. For these reasons, a general understanding of HIV is essential to public health.

How do people get HIV? It is important to recognize the main modes of HIV transmission. HIV can be passed from one person to another through bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Unprotected sex with an HIV infected person and direct contact with HIV-infected blood through shared injection equipment, open wounds, or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, rectum, vagina) may lead to transmission. It is extremely unlikely for HIV infection to happen simply through brief contact between infectious bodily fluids and intact skin. The risk of HIV infection from any single sexual exposure is generally low, but receptive anal intercourse is the highest risk sexual activity, followed by receptive vaginal intercourse. Oral sex is very low risk, and HIV cannot be transmitted through saliva, sweat, or tears. What impact does the virus have on world populations? Almost every HIV infected person will eventually develop and die from AIDS, if the virus is untreated. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 70 million people have been infected with HIV and 35 million people have died of AIDS since the beginning of the pandemic. Currently, about 0.8% of adults between 15 and 49 years of age worldwide are living with HIV. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the most affected region, reporting an average of 1 in 20 adults living with HIV. In the United States the widespread availability of medications that treat HIV has meant that many fewer people with HIV progress to AIDS, but in less economically developed parts of the world many people still die of the disease.

04. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Methicillin-resistant S. Aureus (MRSA or mersa') are staph bacteria commonly found on the skin and in the nose of healthy

people. MRSA can cause minor skin infections that can be treated by a healthcare provider without antibiotics. If not treated properly, MRSA can cause more serious infections such as pneumonia and bloodstream infections. Staph bacteria (Staphylococcus aures or S. Aureus) are commonly found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. It is the most common cause of skin infections. Most of these skin infections are minor (such as pimples and boils or abscesses) and can be treated by a healthcare provider without antibiotics (drugs used to kill bacteria). However, staph bacteria can also cause serious infections (such as surgical wound infections and bloodstream infections). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA or mersa) is a staph that has developed resistance to a commonly used class antibiotics called betalactams (i.e. penicillins - methicillin, nafcillin, amoxicillin, oxacillin, among others). MRSA can cause minor skin infections and, if not treated properly, more serious infections such as pneumonia and bloodstream infections. MRSA infections are more difficult to treat, but usually respond to draining of wounds and/or antibiotics. Drainage of skin boils or abscesses should only be done by a healthcare provider. How is MRSA Spread? MRSA is usually spread through direct physical contact with an infected person, but may be spread through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. It is not spread by coughing unless the infected person has MRSA pneumonia. Control Activities in Alameda County Preventing the spread of MRSA primarily depends on the habits of individuals and facilities. Alameda County Public Health provides education and recommendations for the public and many types of facilities, such as schools, prisons, and healthcare facilities, among others, on how to prevent and to manage persons with an MRSA infection. Check Public Health's Communicable Disease Website for more information

05. Measles Measles in California, 2011 This year California has had a sharp increase in people with measles (see Health Advisory

May 2011). Most cases have involved either travelers to the U.S. or unimmunized U.S. citizens who become ill with measles after travelling in Europe, Asia, Africa, India or the Philippines. Accordingly, it is more important than ever for children and adults to make sure that they are either immune or have been vaccinated.

What is measles? Measles, also called rubeola or red measles, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. How is measles spread? Measles is spread person-to-person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or shares food or drinks. The virus travels easily through the air. It can live in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. An infected person can pass the virus up to four days before showing signs of measles or feeling ill, and up to four days after a rash appears. Once a person is exposed, signs of measles may not appear for another 8-12 days. What can I do to protect myself? Immunization is the best protection. Two vaccines against measles are used in the U.S.: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) or MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella or chicken pox). Each vaccine protects against the diseases listed. Two doses are given. The first dose is at 12-15 months; the second may be given as soon as 28 days later. In California, many children get their second dose when they are getting ready for kindergarten. Adults born before 1957 are assumed immune and therefore do not need to be vaccinated.