Communicable Disease Paper

Epidemiology is viewed as the fundamental science of public health and is key in endorsing optimal health in the community as a whole (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). Epidemiologic study and practice continues to reform public health and endeavors to prevent disease in communities across the world. This paper will address through descriptive epidemiology, the rising disease of obesity and will focus on the teen and adolescent population of the United States. This paper will also define and discuss the purpose of epidemiology, the methods of the science, the epidemiological triangle, and the relationship of the disease to various levels of prevention.

Mandatory vaccination continues to be a contentious subject in the United States, even though extensive evidence proves inoculation prevents certain diseases. According to A. Plotkin & L. Plotkin (2011), the evolution of the first vaccine commenced in the 1700’s when a physician named Edwards Jenner discovered that cowpox protected individuals from one of the deadliest diseases termed smallpox. The precise virus Jenner used is unclear; however, it was espoused in the extermination of smallpox worldwide. The researchers further explained, the unearthing of the subsequent vaccine known as chicken cholera occurred approximately 80 years later by Louise Pasteur. Ever since, copious vaccines such as rabies, yellow fever, varicella, pneumococcal, mumps and recently HPV have been introduced.

Vaccinations to the health care providers and managers of the epidemic treatment plan would be needed regardless of age due to the

In 2012 a flood of varicella cases were confirmed in a community near Concord, New Hampshire in a private daycare center, 25 cases were reported. Out of those 25 cases, 17 (68%) of those children were vaccinated and 8 (32%, including two who

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claim that immunizations are one of the most successful interventions in public health history (2015). The CDC is qualified to make this statement as research shows the vaccinations have eradicated smallpox and nearly eliminated the polio virus, in addition to diminishing the occurrences of preventable infectious diseases such as measles, diphtheria and whooping cough (2015). However, despite the statistics and research, in 2015, only 71.6% of the children between 19 and 35 months received the combined 7 vaccine series (CDC, 2015). This decline in vaccination rate can have devastating effects not only on the individual child, but also on the community, as a whole. Consequently,

In order to help to keep the spread of chickenpox in control the CDC recommends that children get the first shot at 12 to 15 months of age with a second shot between the fourth and sixth year of life (www.livestrong.com).

Vaccinations are one of the most notable scientific break thoughts in primary health care history. It is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of disease in the community. The safety and outcomes of the immunisation programs can be seen in the scientific research, health of the community and in society as a whole. Vaccination programs have been the cornerstone of preventative healthcare

Many of these diseases are seen as eradicated, and unable to make a comeback. However, due to vaccinations these diseases are currently contained and not allowed to spread amongst the general community. This case study delves into the symptoms, diagnosis, cure, and prevention that will bring light of the importance of this community action plan. Colorado Springs has been chosen as the case study location, and between the media, scientific studies, and community partners, it is shown how important and effective immunizations and vaccinations are to community health.

Immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are important in helping to protect individuals from potentially harmful, and even fatal, vaccine-preventable diseases. The CDC recommends routine vaccination to prevent 17 vaccine-preventable diseases that can occur in infants, children, adolescents, and adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Adhering to vaccine schedules and completing vaccine series according to state specific age requirements may help with decreasing disease outbreaks, decrease missed school days for school age children due to illness, and decrease socioeconomic loss that may happen secondary to parents missing work to stay home to care for a sick child. According to the CDC (2011), vaccines are administered consistent with age-specific risks for disease, age-specific risks for complications and age-specific responses to vaccination. Within a primary care clinic setting, especially a pediatric practice, completing vaccines as scheduled by the CDC recommendations is ideal.

It has been proven through the measures of the Randomized Control Trial study and the Observational study that vaccinations serve as an effective way of preventing viruses. For example, when a RCT is performed, volunteers can be placed in two groups. One group receives the actual vaccine, and the other receives a placebo. Within this study, vaccine efficacy is also measured by comparing the frequency of the illness in the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. When the Observational study is performed, it’s important to remember that it’s totally upon the individual to whether or not they prefer to be

The person should avoid scratching or rubbing the itchy areas and keep their fingernails short to avoid damaging the skin. The infected person should avoid prolonged exposure to excessive heat and humidity. The use of over- the counter antihistamines or hydrocortisone creams may be recommended for itch relief. Some doctors may prescribe antivirals if the rash began within 24 hours. Antiviral medication is not usually prescribed to otherwise healthy children who do not have severe symptoms. Antivirals are usually prescribed to high-risk groups whom are prone to severe symptoms such as eczema, lung conditions, or who immunocompromised individuals. The infected person should also be advised to avoid aspirin due to association with a serious condition called Reyes syndrome or Ibuprofen due to the association of more severe secondary infections. Tylenol is recommended for fever relief. Some complications that can occur are bacterial infections secondary to scratching, encephalitis, pneumonia and death. The preventions of chickenpox are acquired by vaccination with the varicella vaccine in children, adolescents, and adults, and the herpes zoster vaccine for persons of 60 and older (Maurer&Smith). The Centers for Disease and controls estimates that 95% of Americans will have chickenpox by the time they reach adulthood. The CDC also estimates that there are 4 million cases with a100 deaths and 9300 hospitalizations a

Thesis Statement: Recently, the United States has seen a resurgence of many different diseases that we haven 't seen in decades. Much of this problem is caused by failure to get vaccinations, and a key step to solving the issue is education.

Before vaccines were introduced, varicella was endemic in the United States, and virtually all persons acquired varicella at some point before adulthood (cdc.gov, 2006). It is reported that 4 million cases of chickenpox were recorded in the U.S. each year before the vaccine was introduced. Although some states reported cases of varicella to the CDC, it was eliminated from the list of nationally notifiable conditions in 1981. Children under 10 years of age make up between 75 – 90 % of chickenpox cases. In 1995, due to the availability of the vaccine in the U.S., hospitalizations due to chickenpox has declined by nearly 90% (Hambleton, & Gershon, 2005).

Ragan & Duffy (2012, p.23) have also shown high immunization rates have resulted in a substantial decline in vaccine preventable diseases, particularly vaccination has eliminated smallpox worldwide. In addition, in a study by Bawah, Phillips, Adjuik & smith et al (2010, p.95) found that vaccination has resulted in a large and statistically significant reduction child mortality. The risk of dying for children younger than five who are fully immunized is reduced by more than 70% compared with those who are not immunized or partially immunized. Moreover, research by Dawson (2011, p.1032) also suggests that vaccination is a vital intervention in reducing illness and death rates in children and he estimated approximately 2.5 million deaths could be prevented each year by vaccination. In addition to personal immunity Vaccination programs also bring herd immunity which ensures even greater protection for the community from communicable diseases. The level of vaccination required to provide herd immunity varies with virulence and transmissibility as well as vaccine efficacy. While vaccinating

Chickenpox can best be prevented by given the dose of varicella vaccine to children, adolescents, adults and the herpes zoster vaccine for people age 60 and above (Maurer & Smith 2013). Generally, people who get the vaccine will not get chickenpox, however, if the vaccinated person get chickenpox, the symptoms is usually mild fever or no fever, fewer red spots or blisters.