Communicable Diseases

COVID-19

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a communicable respiratory illness caused

by the newly discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Most

people infected by the virus experience mild to moderate respiratory complications and mostly

recover without the need for medical attention. However, older people, as well as those with

underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory

illness and cancer, are likely to experience serious complications that may lead to death. The

COVID-19 spread through droplets from saliva or discharge from the nose of individuals who

are infected when they cough or sneeze. There are no vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 at

the moment, but multiple vaccines are being developed. Due to the disease’s rapid nature of

transmission, COVID-19 is considered fatal.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDS)

STDs or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include more than 25 infectious diseases.

The primary mode of transmission is through sexual acts, both vaginal and anal, as well as oral

sex between individuals. In the community, three bacterial sexually transmitted diseases are

reported to the department. This includes chlamydia, gonorrhea in addition to syphilis.

According to CDS 2018 data, 2,418,468 cases were reported involving chlamydia, syphilis, and

gonorrhea nationwide. Mostly, STIs affect both genders, but research has shown that women are

more likely to suffer severe complications. Some of the problems arising for bacterial STDs

infection include but not limited to infertility, pain, and discharge. Furthermore, an expectant

mother with STD may cause severe health issues to the unborn, including miscarriage and
stillbirth. Studies show that the use of condoms reduces the possibility of contracting STDs but

does not eliminate the risk of transmitting or catching the disease.

HIV/AIDS

HIV is a viral infection that destroys white blood cells, thus affecting one’s immune

system. The last and fatal stage is known as AIDs that leads to severe damages to the immune

system. According to the CDC, the common ways of transmission include sexual activity (anal

and vaginal sex), sharing piercing objects with an infected individual, perinatal spreading,

breastmilk. Some populations in the community are at higher risk of contracting the viral

compared to others, which is attributable to risky behaviors and the status of their sex partners.

According to the CDC, infections occur every year, with men accounting for approximately 70%

of the total number of infected persons, and 30% are women. As a result, CDC recommends

regular testing of persons aged between 13 to 64 years in addition to those who are categorized

as high risk for HIV infection, including sex workers and drug users. According to the CDC

2018 data, 37,968 individuals were diagnosed with HIV in Miami-Dade County. Also, statistics

show that gays and bisexual males were more infected, accounting for approximately 66% of the

total numbers. According to AIDSvu (2019), more males in Miami-Dade County males

succumbed to HIV/AIDS in comparison to the females.

Influenza and pneumonia

Both influenza and pneumonia are considered the leading causes of death in the US and

Miami-Dade County. Influenza, commonly known as flu, refers to a contagious respiratory

disease resulting from flu viruses. Although the majority of people recover after a few days,

some develop severe complications. Similarly, pneumonia refers to lung infections resulting

from a bacterial or viral infection or mycoplasmas. According to the CDC, influenza, and
pneumonia resulted in 3040 deaths in the state of Florida. The most affected population includes

the elderly and children, as well as those with weak body immunity.
Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/default.htm

http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases‐and‐conditions/sexually‐transmitted‐diseases/

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/statistics/overview/index.html

https://aidsvu.org/local-data/united-states/south/florida/miami/#:~:text=Local%20Data%3A

%20Miami%20(Miami-,were%20newly%20diagnosed%20with%20HIV.

Hepatitis

HIV/AIDS

Tuberculosis