By always observing caution, providers can do much to prevent the spread of disease. A communicable disease is any bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection in the body that can be spread from one individual to another. This varies from the common cold and flu to more uncommon diseases like meningitis. On the other hand, some common diseases can be life-threatening if they are not treated appropriately. For example, bacteria and parasites that cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, can be quite serious in young children.
Diarrheal diseases can even be fatal if a child becomes severely dehydrated.
How Diseases are Transmitted Before looking at ways to prevent the spread of disease, it is helpful to know the ways diseases are transmitted. Diseases are caused by germs, which are transmitted from one person to another through the air urine and feces blood saliva skin drainage, such as nasal mucus or pus from open sores Germs multiply rapidly in warm moist places. Impetigo and ring worm are transmitted via direct physical contact with the infected areas of skin. Diseases like colds, chicken pox, and some forms of meningitis are transmitted largely via the air through sneezes and coughs, although they can also be spread through saliva and nasal drainage. Diarrhea, which generally is a symptom of some gastrointestinal virus, bacteria, or parasite, is transmitted through feces.