Introduction
This web quest has been designed to inform you as Early Childhood Educators on common communicable and infectious diseases.
Infectious diseases occur as germs spread from one person to another.
There are three steps in the chain of infection:
By breaking the chain infections can be prevented and controlled. The most important way to break the chain of infection is to stop the spread of diseases through:
- Good hand hygiene
- Absences of ill children and staff
- Immunisation
- Coughing and sneezing into tissue or arm
- Wearing gloves
- Effective cleaning procedures
- Good personal hygiene
(Regional Public Health, 2016)
Task
In groups you task is to research one of the listed infectious diseases.
In Microsoft word create a table to record your findings. Use the following headings as a guide: what is the disease, the signs/ symptoms, treatment and prevention.
*Remember to use simple and to the point wording, visuals will also be helpful.
Process
Select one of the following infectious diseases:
*Use the provided links for assistance
Slap check
- https://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/communicable_diseases_prevention_unit/infectious_diseases/parvovirus
- http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Slapped_cheek_or_Fifth_syndrome/
Head lice
- http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/head-lice.html
- http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/headlice/Pages/treatment.aspx
Hand foot and mouth
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease
- http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Hand_foot_and_mouth_disease_…;
Conjunctivitis
- http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Conjunctivitis/
- http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+conditions+prevention+and+treatment/infectious+diseases/conjunctivitis/conjunctivitis+-+including+symptoms+treatment+and+prevention
Pertussis (whooping cough)
- http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/whoopingcough/pages/default.aspx
- http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=303&id=1851
Evaluation
Once you have completed the table you will present your findings with other groups. Your colleagues are the ones you will evaluate your table. Use the provided feedback to improve your tables.
*They can then be displayed around the room or sent home with parents.
Conclusion
In conclusion you should now be familiar with the five common communicable and infectious diseases we have explored.
It is expected you are confident and capable of identifying signs/ symptoms/ treatments and how to best prevent these diseases through appropriate precautions.
Credits
Regional Public Health (2016). How do infections spread. The chain of infection Retrieved from: http://www.rph.org.nz/content/be1a16ad-a8e6-44c4-8639-ce5930d2048d.html