Describe the AHE factors that are associated with a selected diarrheal infection, a respiratory infection, a vector-borne infection, and an STI
Diarrheal infections are caused by communicable pathogens, known as E. coli bacteria, transmitted through fecal contaminated food and water. The bacteria can live in a harsh environment for a long period. Viruses and parasites (protozoan) may cause diarrhea and are transmitted through unpasteurized dairy products. Influenza-like viruses and bacteria also cause respiratory infections. Though these diseases are vaccine-preventable, they may cause serious damage to the body and become chronic because they can be acquired through the air. Fungi and parasites are possible causes of respiration diseases.
Therefore, hand washing and vaccination should not be neglected. Vector-borne infections can be transmitted by mosquitos, flies, and ticks (Jacobsen, 2014). These insects spread parasites, viruses, and bacteria fast. STIs can be bacterial (Chlamydia trachomatis), viral (hepatitis or herpes), and parasitic (trichomonas). All these infections are transmitted via direct sexual contact.
How do the AHE factors differ for the four diseases you selected?
The AHE factors differ for the chosen diseases with their ways of transmission, the possibility to notice and recognize an infection, and the type of contact with a person or other source of the infection. Some of the pathogens can live long and cause the development of chronic diseases, and some agents may disappear in a short period. Viruses and bacteria may result in chronic diseases.
What do the AHEs indicate about disease control and prevention strategies?
The awareness of the AHEs contributes to disease control and prevention in different ways. Behavioral strategies include the importance of health education and the necessity to take simple protective steps regularly, including handwashing, safe food handling, safe sexual contact, and vaccination (Jacobsen, 2014). Environmental strategies are based on the control of standing water that can be a source of mosquitoes or other dangerous insects, the elimination of dust that contaminates air, the avoidance of old and damaged cans, and sage water access to all citizens. Vaccination and drug therapy should not be neglected.
What are some specific behavioral changes you can make and actions you can take that will reduce your risk of acquiring infections?
The risk of acquiring infections can be minimized in case people start following ordinary hygiene rules, pay attention to their living conditions, clean rooms regularly, and wear protective clothing to reduce the number of bites. Education and practice should be promoted to understand what threats are observed in society. Finally, people should avoid passing infections on other people and be isolated until all signs of infections disappear.
What are some specific infectious diseases that are endemic in your community? What are some epidemics that have occurred recently?
In Miami, Florida, the population is exposed to such diseases as STIs, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. It is necessary to admit that more than millions of bacteria-infected mosquitoes are within this community (Sladky, 2018). Recently, cases of tuberculosis have been increased. However, it is also important not to neglect the fact that mosquitoes create a serious threat to all citizens of the community despite their age, gender, or nationality.
What infectious diseases meet the criteria for eradication and would be good candidates for a global eradication campaign?
To be appropriate for a global eradication campaign, infections should meet certain criteria. As a rule, vaccination has to be a part of a campaign. For example, in Florida, vector-borne infections have to be prevented and controlled. Environmental strategies and behavioral changes are usually required. Animals are the main hosts of this type of infection, and it is not always possible to protect people. Therefore, vector-borne infections are not the best candidates for global eradication. At this moment, poliomyelitis is one of the most appropriate infections to deal with globally via vaccination and health education.
Of all the infectious diseases mentioned in this chapter, which one would you most like to eradicate? Why?
In the given list of infectious diseases, I would like to start eradicating STIs because this is what ordinary people can do. It is not a hard task to choose safe sexual relationships and think about the future. However, people continue dying because of HIV/AIDS and explain their diseases as the result of one unprotected sexual act. Such facts and stories take millions of lives worldwide, and people are ready to do something to change this situation today.
References
Jacobsen, K.H. (2014). Introduction to global health (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Sladky, L. (2018). Bacteria-infected mosquitoes might be a good thing for Miami. STAT. Web.