Introduction
Communicable Diseases are caused by pathogens passed from one human to another. Pathogens are viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal. Methods of transmission include mucus, blood, breath, saliva and sexual contact. Contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs, counter tops and playground equipment, provide a medium for passing disease from one human to another. The school environment is a major contributor to contracting communicable diseases.
This WebQuest will explore 4 Communicable Diseases: Measles; Chicken Pox; Hand Footand Mouth Disease and Whooping Cough.
Task
Your task is to reasearch the following communicable diseases;
- Measles
- Chicken Pox
- Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
- Whooping Cough
For each of the communicable diseases you are to find the following information
- What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
- How is the disease spread?
- What is the treatment of the disease?
- Can the disease be prevented?
- What are the protocols for a school if a student is infected with the disease?
For the purpose of this excersise you are to present your findings in the context of an information sheet for parents.
Process
There are many websites to assist you with your reasearch, listed below are some websites you are to use for your reasearch.
Measles:
http://access.health.qld.gov.au/hid/infectionsandparasites/viralinfecti…
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/peh/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/in…
http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Healthy-WA/Articles/J_M/Measles
https://www.australiawidefirstaid.com.au/measles-outbreak/
Chicken Pox (Varicella):
http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Healthy-WA/Articles/A_E/Chickenpox-varic…
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/chickenp…
http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/chickenpox
http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Chickenpox_Varicella/
Hand Foot and Mouth Disease:
http://ideas.health.vic.gov.au/bluebook/hand-foot-info.asp
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/peh/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/in…
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=303&id…
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ch43.pdf
Whooping Cough (Pertussis):
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/peh/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/in…
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/whoopingcough/pages/default.aspx
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/handb…
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=303&id…
Evaluation
You will be marked on your completed information sheets.
Conclusion
communicable diseases account for the majority of illnesseses causing students and staff to be absent from school. The school environment inherently fosters the transmission of infections from person to person because it is a group setting in which people are in close contact and share resources and equipment. Staff play a key role in identifing students who may be infected and must have some knowledge to identify signs and symptoms early to prevent furthur outbreaks.