Introduction
An infectious disease is produced by an organism that ranges in size from viruses to parasitic worms and can be transmitted directly between people or from insects and animals to people, or indirectly through the environment (ABS, 1997).
There are three steps in the chain of infection:
For germs to spread from one person to another, all step in the chain must take place. Preventing and controlling infectious diseases can be achieved by breaking the chain, the chain can be broken at any stage (National Health Medical Research Council [NHMRC], 2013). By implementing the following strategies will help to break the chain:
- Washing hands with soap and water and using paper towel
- Sanitizing
- Staying home if someone feels unwell
- Immunisation
- Coughing and sneezing into tissue or arm
- Wearing gloves
- Effective routine cleaning procedures
- Good personal hygiene
(NHMRC, 2013)
References
ABS [Australian Bureau of Statistics] (1997). Australian Bureau of Statistics,1997. Retrieved from: www.abs.gov.au.
NHMRC (2012) Staying healthy – Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services found at www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines/publications/ ch55
Task
In groups you task is to research one of the listed infectious diseases.
In Microsoft word create a fact sheet (with images) to record your findings. These fact sheets will be used as information sheet for families and for staff to refer to when required. Use the following headings as a guide:
◦What is the disease (description)
◦What type of infection
◦How does it spread
◦Signs and symptoms
◦Infectious period
◦Treatment
◦Prevention
◦Exclusion
◦Responsibilities of parents and staff
◦Controlling the spread of infection
Process
Select one of the following infectious diseases with a few links to get you started:
Slap check
Croup
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/croup
- http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/croup.html
Head lice
- http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html
- http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/headlice/Pages/treatment.aspx
Gastroenteritis
Hand foot and mouth
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hand…
- http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Hand_foot_and_mouth_disease_…
Conjunctivitis
Influenza
- http://www.rph.org.nz/content/6789c1d3-fbcb-4753-a2f7-e79db665fee2.html g_healthy_5th_edition_150602.pdf
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Evaluation
Once you have completed the information fact sheets you will present them to the other groups. Your fellow colleagues will be evaluating your findings in the following ways:
- Easily Read and to understand for families
- Easy to refer to for educators
- Up to date information and appropriate sources
- Images are appropriate
Conclusion
In conclusion staff should now be familiar with the many common communicable and infectious diseases we have investigated. Staff should feel more confident in identifying particular signs and symptoms of suspected infectious diseases and be able to deliver appropriate information to families with treatment and appropriate action to take. They will also understand and employ ways to best prevent and control the spread of these diseases.
