Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases are illnesses that occur once pathogens somehow enter your body, which are harmful agents and the main cause of infectious diseases. While some of these can turn out to be severe, and some minor – these infectious diseases are commonly carried and transmitted from person to person, or even through animals.
The reason behind the spread of these infectious diseases can be possibilities ranging from exposure to foul water, food, or environmental contamination; as well as bug bites.
The symptoms that these infectious diseases bring along depend on the type of contracted infection, the severity of the condition, and the immunity of the affected person. The symptoms may include:
- Congestion
Infectious Disease Prevention & Wellness
The most effective way of putting a stop to the spread of these contagious diseases is prevention – At times, with certain deadly infections, timely prevention is the only thing standing between life and death.
Manhattan Medical Arts has experts available to guide and offer treatment for all types of infectious diseases – However, we are firm advocates of prevention being better than cure, ensuring neither our staff nor patients or visitors spread the infections. Here are a few preventive measures that can be helpful against infectious diseases:
Handwashing
When it comes to preventing the spread of contagious diseases such as infections, washing your hands can be much more effective than we’d give it credit for, since inappropriately washing hands or not washing them enough has been one of the leading reasons for the spread of infectious diseases.
Considering that germs cannot be seen with the naked eye, to keep yourself germ-free, everyone should start washing their hands much more often than they have been. As recommended by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), washing your hands is immensely essential:
- Prior to making food
- Before consuming food
- Before and even after dealing with a wound
- When done using the restroom
- After an interaction with animals
- After coughing or sneezing
- Post garbage disposal
- When dealing with someone who’s ill
Pets, Insects, & Other Animals
People who have pets in their homes, need to make sure that they take proper care of their hygiene to maintain their health and prevent them from infecting people at home. Immunizations are an integral part of keeping a pet, along with visits to the veterinarian at regular intervals. Another important aspect is to maintain a clean habitat for the pets, and keep yourself clean as well, before and after you interact with them.
People dealing with wild animals or even insects should also be very careful and vigilant for bites and scratches; as they can be the carriers for several serious contagious diseases such as rabies, tetanus, Lyme disease, hantavirus, plague, etc.
Even the most minor of scratches and bites should immediately be taken care of, as they break the skin open which increases the chances of you getting infected.
Immunizations
Immunizations offer ultimate protection against the spread of contagious diseases among the general population. They not only benefit the person who receives the vaccination but also serves as protection for the other vulnerable people who haven’t received any vaccinations, as it puts a stop to the spread altogether.
In addition to that, immunizations are also capable of minimizing the disabilities and deaths from severe infections such as measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox.
Unlike adults, most children are kept updated on vaccinations to protect their immunity – however, there are certain vaccinations such as varicella, seasonal influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, zoster, human papillomavirus (HPV in females), pneumococcal (polysaccharide), hepatitis A and B, flu and meningococcal that adults need to make sure they are vaccinated for.
When to See a Doctor?
Certain circumstances can serve as an indication that you immediately require medical assistance and should get in touch with a healthcare physician at your earliest. Listed below are those symptoms:
- If you’ve experienced an animal bite or scratch
- Irregular breathing
- If your cough continues for over a week
- Fever that causes severe headaches
- A rash or swelling on the skin
- Problem with vision
At Manhattan Medical Arts, the laboratory tests for these infectious diseases are inclusive of blood tests, urine tests, throat swabs, stools cultures, and lumbar punctures – In addition to these tests, you can also opt for imaging tests, which can include X-rays, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Based on the type of infectious disease that you’ve contracted, infectious disease specialists at Manhattan Medical Arts will provide a prescription from a range of effective medications. The most commonly used medications for such contagious diseases include antibiotics, antivirals, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic medicine.
For more information & further inquiries on Infectious Diseases & Illnesses – Reach out to us via call or email, schedule an appointment online, or visit Manhattan Medical Arts today for a healthy tomorrow!
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