[INFECTIOUS DISEASES] STS

Name of diseases 4. Cold sores (Herpes Simplex)

A. Nature of Infecting Organisms Nature of infecting organism: Viruses

B. Special Geographic Distribution
C. Mode of Transmission Signs and symptoms: Single or multiple blisters on lips,
D. Groups Primarily Affected eyes, or other parts of the body
E. Incubation Period
F. Signs and Symptoms Prevention and control: Smallpox vaccination sometimes
G. Prevention and Control prevent recurrences
H. Remarks
Remarks: cold sores on eyes may produce scarring of
cornea

1. Candidiasis (Moniliasis) 5. Diphtheria

Nature of infecting organism: Fungi Nature of infecting organism: Bacilli

Signs and symptoms: Attacks skin between fingers and Mode of transmission: Airborne droplets from throat of
toes, underarms, also mouth, nails, vagina, and lungs carrier

Remarks: Organism may be present in mouth, skin, and
intestinal tract without producing any signs of candidiasis
2. Chicken Pox (Varicella)
Nature of infecting organism: Viruses
Mode of transmission: Through inhalation of infected
airborne droplets
Groups primarily affected: Children
Groups primarily affected: Children
Incubation period: 2-4 days
Signs and symptoms: Difficulty in breathing caused by
diphtheritic membrane across the throat. Diphtheria toxin
may attack heart and nervous system
Prevention and control: Vaccine is available. Incidence of
diphtheria has been greatly reduced since introduction of
immunization

Incubation period: 14-20 days Remarks: An antitoxin is available for treatment but must
be used early if it is to be effective
Signs and symptoms: Rash, fever, headache, loss of
appetite 6. Dysentery, Amebic

Remarks: Varicella virus is the same as that which causes
herpes zoster (shingles)
3. Cold, common
Nature of infecting organism: Viruses
Mode of transmission: Probably transmitted by airborne
droplets from nose and throat of carriers
Incubation period: 2-3 days
Signs and symptoms: Sneezing, coughing, sore throat,
possible fever
Nature of infecting organism: Amebae
Mode of transmission: Contaminated food
Signs and symptoms: Attacks digestive tract causing
diarrhea, weakness, nausea vomiting: may produce live
abscesses
Prevention and control: Sanitary disposal of waste;
hygienic handling of food
7. Dysentery Bacillary
Nature of infecting organism: Bacteria

Prevention and control: Vaccines have been developed but Special geographic distribution: Most dangerous types
their effectiveness is questionable occur in Orient

Mode of transmission: Contaminated food, water

Groups primarily affected: Often occurs in epidemic

outbreaks in institutions military camps, and the like
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Incubation period: Varies from 24 hours to several days Groups primarily affected: Children and young adults

Signs and symptoms: Violent diarrhea, fever, chills,
cramps, nausea vomiting. Develops more rapidly than
amebic dysentery
Prevention and control: Prevention of spread by treatment
of those infected
Incubation period: 20-40 days
Signs and symptoms: Fever, skin rash, weakness, fatigue
loss of appetite, chills, nausea, jaundice
Prevention and control: Hygienic handling food

Remarks: Disease has been of historical importance in
military campaigns defeat of Persian army in 380 B.C.
was in part ascribed to dysentery
8. German measles (Rubella)
Nature of infecting organism: Viruses
Mode of transmission: Airborne droplets from respiratory,
passages of carriers
Groups primarily affected: Children
Incubation period: 21 days
Signs and symptoms: skin rash, swollen lymph glands
Remarks: Epidemics may occur in boarding schools and
similar institutions
11. Hepatitis Serum
Nature of infecting organism: Viruses (type B)
Mode of transmission: Transfusion of infected blood;
contaminated needles used for injection
Incubation period: 60-160 days
Signs and symptoms: same as in infectious hepatitis
Prevention and control: Proper handling and source of
blood supplies; adequate sterilization of needles

Remarks: German measles in pregnant women may cause 12. Influenza

serious damage to the fetus
Nature of infecting organism: Viruses
9. Gonorrhea
Special geographic distribution: Worldwide, epidemic
Nature of infecting organism: Bacteria
Mode of transmission: Airborne droplets from carriers
Mode of transmission: Sexual contact
Incubation period: 1-2 days
Groups primarily affected: young adults
Signs and symptoms: Chills, fever, pain behind eyes,
Incubation period: 2-8 days muscle pains, sneezing

Signs and symptoms: Attacks reproductive organs causing
pain, fever, swellings. May result in sterility or permanent
joint damage
Prevention and control: Especially hard to control because
of the difficulty of diagnosing the disease in women
Prevention and control: Vaccines give temporary immunity
Remarks: Dangerous to old and debilitated persons, who
may develop pneumonia
13. Mumps (Epidemic Parotitis)

Remarks: Infants of gonorrheal mothers may develop eye Nature of infecting organism: Viruses
infection while passing through the birth canal. To avoid
Mode of transmission: Direct contact; airborne droplets
this, drops of an antibiotic solution are routinely placed in
from mouths of infected persons
the eyes of newborn infants
Groups primarily affected: Children
10. Infectious Hepatitis
Incubation period: 8-21 days
Nature of infecting organism: Viruses (type A)
Signs and symptoms: Attacks salivary glands, particularly
Special geographic distribution: Prevalent in Mediterranean
parotid glands (adjacent to ear. Causes pain, swelling fever)
region
Prevention and control: A vaccine is available
Mode of transmission: Contaminated food or water, close
personal contact with carriers
 [INFECTIOUS DISEASES] STS

Remarks: Frequently produces inflammation of the testicles 16. Tuberculosis

in adult males. In some causes sterility may result.
14. Rheumatic Fever
Nature of infecting organism: Bacteria
Nature of infecting organism: Bacteria
Mode of transmission: Airborne droplets from carriers
contaminated milk

Groups primarily affected: Children between the ages of 5
and 15
Incubation period: Develops some weeks after
streptococcal infection of upper respiratory tract
Signs and symptoms: Joint pains which move, or
“migrate,” from joint to joint in an unpredictable pattern,
nosebleeds, abdominal pains, skin eruptions. Heart damage
may be serious complications
Signs and symptoms: In early stage fever, fatigue, loss of
weight. In later chronic stage also night sweating, bloody
sputum, chest pains
Prevention and control: Early detection and treatment of
carriers; pasteurization of milk
Remarks: Although a vaccine is available (BCG vaccine)
and has been used for mass vaccination its value for this
purpose is not universally accepted.

Prevention and control: Antibiotics used to prevent

recurrence

Remarks: Disease is considered to be different from

ordinary infectious diseases in that it develops after
infection by bacteria. Apparently the signs and symptoms
are not directly related to the presence of the bacteria in the
tissue

15. Syphilis

Nature of infecting organism: Bacteria

Special geographic distribution: Worldwide

Mode of transmission: Sexual contact, inheritance

Incubation period:

Primary stage - 3-4 weeks

Secondary stage – 4-6 weeks later

Tertiary stage – 20 or more years after original

infection

Signs and symptoms:

Primary stage – lesion on genitals, mouth

Secondary state – skin eruptions, fever, sore throat,

enlarge lymph nodes

Tertiary stage – mental changes, heart disease,

spinal cord damage

Prevention and control: Educational program early

detection and treatment with antibiotic prevention of
congenital syphilis by treatment of pregnant mother

Remarks: Decline in death rates of adults and infants, but

disease not under control.