communicable diseases

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

A communicable disease is a disease that can be "caught". Three of the most common communicable diseases that exist within a school environment are:

• gastroenteritis
• headlice
• colds and flu

Your task is to research one of the three communicable diseases mentioned in the introduction and design a fact sheet that can be handed out with the school newsletter at the start of next term. You may work individually or in a pair.

You will need to research your chosen disease and present the information in a factual manner. Websites that will help are listed below:

Fact sheets

http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/measles-info-for-contacts.pdf

These websites will help with finding information on the diseases you are to research:

Headlice

http://health.vic.gov.au/headlice/

http://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Healthy-WA/Articles/F_I/Head-lice

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/headlice/pages/default.aspx

http://www.mydr.com.au/skin-hair/head-lice

Gastroenteritis

http://www.sfcdcp.org/viralgi.html

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Gastroenteritis

http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Gastroenteritis_gastro/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm

Colds and Flu

http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/default.htm?names-dropdown=http://www.mydr.com.au/topics/colds-and-flu

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/health/health+advice/busting+cold+and+flu+myths,7333

http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/topic/colds-and-flu

The following sites may also be helpful:

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/ch43poster4.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/features/handwashing/

http://www.sfcdcp.org/healthyhabits.html

Fact sheets will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Explanation of disease
• Preventative actions
• Amount of time (if any) student will be excluded from school
• Symptoms and treatment
• Design of fact sheet i.e. images, colours, formatting
  

You will be asked to present your findings in a short oral presentaion to your buddy class. Peer evaluations will be written on each presentation using the two stars and a wish format.