Infectious Disease
Section One - Learn more about germs
Read these Student Articles:
Find out How Germs Do Their Dirty Work:
Build a Skill. Handwashing is the single most important skill you can use to keep from getting an infection.
List below the steps for proper handwashing.
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Next, list the activities you do each day for which hand washing is needed either before or after the activity. One activity is provided to get you started. Place a check beside each activity listed when you remember to wash your hands. Click here to print this chart.
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I need to wash my hands when.... |
I correctly washed my hands.... |
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1. After using the bathroom |
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Section Two. Learn more about food-borne illness.
Go online to take FDA's Food Safety Quiz http://www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/food_safety_quiz/index.asp before you study this lesson in class, and then again after you have studied the lesson.
Fight BAC ' Keep food safe from bacteria. Learn about these four key steps.
1. Clean
2. Separate
3. Chill
4. Cook
Build a Skill. Practice at least one of the above steps at home.
Section Three. Learn more about Vaccines.
Read these Student Articles:
Fighting Infection: How the Body Fights Germs, Part I
Fighting Infection: How the Body Fights Germs, Part II
Go to http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048750.htm and read about vaccines.
Build a Skill.
1. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5351-Immunizationa1.htm
Scroll down the page to find the most current immunization schedule for your age group. Print or copy the schedule.
2. Using the most current immunization schedule, determine if you have had all the immunizations you need by comparing it with your "shot record" from home. You'll need your parent's help with this.
3. Write down the address and phone number for one place in your community where people may receive free immunizations. Hint: local health departments and clinics usually provide free immunizations.
Section Four. Know When to Get Help.
When you think you may have an infectious illness.
Generally, you should consult a doctor or other health care professional if you have or think you may have contracted an infectious disease.
You should get a health professional's advice immediately if....
- You are having difficulty breathing
- You have been bitten by an animal
- You have a cough that has lasted for more than a week
- You have a fever of 100 F or higher
- You have episodes of rapid heartbeat
- You have a rash (especially if you have a rash and a fever at the same time)
- You have swelling
- You suddenly start having difficulty with seeing (such as blurry vision)
- You have been vomiting
Sometimes, however, a visit to the doctor may not be necessary.
Some infectious diseases, such as the common cold, usually do not require a visit to the doctor. They often last a short time and are not life-threatening, or there is no specific treatment. We've all heard the advice to rest and drink plenty of liquids to treat colds. Unless there are complications, most victims of colds find their immune systems successfully ward off the viral culprits. In fact, the coughing, sneezing, and fever that make you feel miserable are part of your immune system's way of fighting them off.
If, however, you have other conditions in which your immune system doesn't function properly, you should be in contact with your doctor whenever you suspect you have any infectious disease, even the common cold. Such conditions can include asthma and immunodeficiency diseases like HIV infection and AIDS.
In addition, some common, usually mild infectious diseases, such as chickenpox or flu, can cause serious harm in very young children or the elderly.
Source: Microbes: In Sickness and In Health. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/microbes.htm#a (.pdf)
