Epidemiology Paper

Running head: COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 2

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE 2

Communicable Disease

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Communicable diseases are also known as infectious diseases or transmissible illnesses. The result from the infection, the presence and the growth of the pathogenic or disease-causing organism that is considered to be biological agents in an individual human or other host animals. Some of the common examples of communicable diseases include HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C, influenza, measles, salmonella, and blood-borne infections. These diseases are spread through fecal-oral, bite by the insects, the contaminated formites, the skin contact, sexual intercourse, droplets, and the food. For this discussion, the focus is on the description of the influenza disease, the social determinants of health and how they are contributing to this disease, the epidemiologic triangle as it related to the disease, the role of the community health nurses (Nunez & Ross, 2019). The national agency or organization that is important in addressing this communicable disease, and the international implications of the disease.

Influenza

This is a commonly recognized virus infection that is deadly to high-risk individuals such as younger children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and individuals diagnosed with chronic conditions or those who have weaker immune systems. It attacks the respiratory system such as the nose, throat, and lungs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza is a condition that is caused by the influenza virus. The Influenza manifests in the form of sneezing, running nose, itchy, and inflammation of the throat. There is also mild and harsh illness and even death when urgent care is not initiated. Influenza leads to sudden flu and most of the individuals with this condition experience fever, coughing, sore throat, running and stuffy nose, and tiredness. There is also diarrhoea and vomiting and this is common among children than adults (Souty, et al., 2019).

Concerning the mode of transmission, the spread of this condition occurs through tiny droplets during the sneezing, coughing, and talking by the person who has been affected by this condition. These drops either land on the mouth or nose for those who are closer to the person who is already having this disease. Another mode of transmission is through touching the surfaces or the objects that contain the virus then touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. The transmission of this disease among humans is through direct contact with the infected individuals, coming into contact with or touching the contaminated objects for example the fomites such as doorknobs and toys (Takashita, et al., 2019). It is also transmitted through the inhalation of virus-laden aerosols.

Most of the affected persons experience illness and they can be treated using antiviral. The mild illness is cured within 14 days. There are also some situations whereby the individuals infected with influenza might have complications that result either in long-term care or death. The complications of influenza disease include bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, and sinus infections. It also leads to chronic illnesses such as asthmatic attacks on individuals who are already on medication for asthma disease. Influenza diseases also worsen the symptoms of chronic congestive heart failure (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021)e. The risk of complications is also common among adults of ages 65 years and above, those who are already diagnosed with conditions such as diabetes HIV/AIDS, younger children, cancer patients, and children diagnosed with neurologic diseases.

One of the best methods that have been proposed in the prevention of influenza disease is through vaccination. People with this condition are also treated through the use of antiviral medications that assist in reducing the symptoms and shortening the duration of sickness. The antiviral medications are also important since they help with the prevention of severe complication of this condition among individuals of ages 65 years and above or other individuals considered to be a high-risk population of the influenza disease such as younger children and pregnant women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). These individuals require prompt treatment to help in the prevention of potential complications.

Globally, influenza disease is affecting about 5 to 10 percent of adults and 20 to 30 percent of children. the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 3 to 5 million cases of severe influenza diseases with 250,000 to 500,000 death cases being recorded. The report released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018 concerning the clinical infection diseases shows that about 8 percent of the United States population are getting sick as a result of the flu every season. This infection rate is between 3 to 11 percent and it depends on the season. This indicates a drop in the rate of infection that previously ranged from 5 to 20 percent. The research shows that the affected individuals were not aware of the type of flu they were suffering while others did not show any symptoms (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). This disease is common in children and elderly individuals of ages 65 years and above.

The social determinants of health and how they contribute to the development of the disease

Social determinants that are linked to the widespread of influenza disease. One of the social determinants linked to access to healthcare services and vaccination. This determinant is influencing on the prevention rate and the spread of the condition within the community. The healthcare system of the United States is characterized by inequality that makes it hard for some people to have access to such healthcare services. Therefore, the largest number of people remain exposed to influenza infection due to the institutional and structural barriers that interfere with the successful vaccination and antiviral treatments (Chandrasekhar, et al., 2017). These barriers prevent the underprivileged and the minority individuals to be informed about the vaccination process, access to healthcare, and the availability of healthcare facilities offering such services.

Another social determinant is the socio-economic factor whereby individuals who are economically deprived are highly exposed t stressors and infectious diseases. These people experienced high-level of crimes, high rates of unemployment, and violence. All these events result in stress-associated immunological changes and an increase in the susceptibility to infections and severe illnesses (Chandrasekhar, et al., 2017). These people are exposed to harmful health behaviors and comorbidities that impact their vulnerability and comorbidities such as obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthmatic conditions.

The Epidemiologic Triangle

The occurrence of the influenza disease is a result of the transmission or the spread of the respiratory tract influenza virus known as the RNA virus of the orthomyxovirus genus. Human is considered to be the primary host of this disease. Therefore, the virus is capable of causing an infection to any person regardless of the age of the person or their gender (Souty, et al., 2019). Animals and birds are considered to be the reservoir of the infection while the causing agent of the influenza virus is a disease provoking microorganism or bacteria.

The spread or the transmission of influenza disease is linked to the external factors that promote the progression of the illness. The acceleration of this condition is a result of the insufficient nourishing, inadequate or lack of healthcare policy, and the seasonal factors thus making it easier for the virus to penetrate the human body. The spread of the disease is made possible in an overcrowded place, therefore, the members of the public must be informed to practice safe practices such as social distance when there is an outbreak of such infections (Nunez & Ross, 2019).

The role of the community health nurse the importance of the demographic data to the health of the community

The prevention, treatment, and education activities are some of the interventions that are promoted in dealing with the issue of influenza disease. Community nurses are playing an important role in the prevention of influenza spread. They assist in providing the required medical care, teaching the community on the cure and vaccination programs, and supporting the vaccination processes (Higginson, 2018).

Community health nurses assist with the activities of monitoring and assessment of influenza incidences thus protecting the members of the public from severe epidemics. Community health nurses are helping with the activity of providing the reports on the rates of the infections for example the new infections and the reported death cases or complications encountered as a result of this disease. Through the delivery of such information, it becomes easier for the government to develop successful policies to ensure ongoing vaccination programs and increasing the safety measure for the community members to prevent further transmission of the disease (Valentino & Suit, 2020).

One national agency or organization that helps in addressing the communicable disease selected and how the organization is contributing to resolving or reducing the impact of the disease

One of the national agencies that address communicable diseases such as influenza is the CDC. The agency is performing global activities that are aimed at protecting Americans from major health threats like Ebola, Zika, and the pandemic influenza. It helps in the detection and control of the outbreaks at their sources, assisting with the activities aimed at saving lives, and reducing healthcare costs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

In the fight against the diseases such as influenza, the CDC is helping other nations to build a capacity that is aimed at ensuring that there is prevention, detection, and quick responses posed by the influenza threats. The goal is to ensure that there is a stoppage to these diseases when they do occur as soon as they start. The CDC is also engaging with other foreign governments to assists in addressing their health challenges that support the interest of the Americans. The collaboration with these nations is serving as an entry point for broader diplomatic engagement thus making the work performed by this agency to be a critical one (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

The global impact of influenza and how other nations address it

Influenza is a severe international health threat that is impacting all nations every year. Influenza is an acute and hi9ghky contagious viral infection that leads to annual epidemics. The spectrum of this infection is ranging from mild to moderate in the majority of the individuals. It also has several illnesses and even death that occur in the high-risk population such as children and elderly individuals of ages 65 years older and above. Influenza infection causes the disease in any group, however, the rate of severe illness and the reported death cases are higher among individuals of ages more than 65 years (Nunez & Ross, 2019). This is linked to the reduction in the immune response against the virus.

Even though there has been a decline in the morbidity and mortality associated with influenza disease, the rate of hospitalization continuous to rise for persons 65 years older and above. The increase in the rate of hospitalization has been linked to the rise in the aging population in the United States and the increase in the cases of chronic medical conditions (Hay & McCauley, 2018). The reported cases of annual influenza-associated deaths due to the underlying respiratory and circulatory causes are still there despite the drop in the numbers. There is also a socio-economic burden associated with this disease on individuals, families, and society. The burden is a result of the different direct healthcare costs for the outpatient and inpatient medical care together with the medications and the indirect cost that is associated with the loss in productivity. Seasonal influenza can affect the schools, workplace, nursing homes, and towns thereby leading to high levels of absenteeism among the workers thus affecting productivity (Hay & McCauley, 2018). The economic effects of this disease on society are primarily due to the loss of work time and the reduction in the productivity of the patients and the individuals offering care to them at home.

The influenza virus infects humans and other animals and those infecting humans circulate in seasonal epidemics even though there are tropical regions that experience endemic influenza circulation. The commonly adopted approach in addressing the issue of influenza is through the vaccination process. education on hygiene is also promoted through washing hands using soap and water or the use of hand sanitizers. Safety measures such as covering the mouth and nose using the tissue when coughing or sneezing is also encouraged.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, April 9). Influenza: Data are for the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/flu.htm Chandrasekhar, R., Sloan, C., Mitchel, E., Ndi, D., Alden, N., Thomas, A., . . . Markus, T. M. (2017). Social determinants of influenza hospitalization in the United States. Influenza and other respiratory viruses, 11(6), 479-488. doi:10.1111/irv.12483 Hay, A. J., & McCauley, J. W. (2018). The WHO global influenza surveillance and response system (GISRS)—A future perspective. Influenza and other respiratory viruses, 12(5), 551-557. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/irv.12565 Higginson, R. (2018). Infection control in the community. British journal of community nursing, 23(12), 590-595. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2018.23.12.590 Nunez, I. A., & Ross, T. M. (2019). A review of H5Nx avian influenza viruses. Therapeutic advances in vaccines and immunotherapy, 7, 2515135518821625. https://doi.org/10.1177/2515135518821625 Souty, C., Masse, S., Valette, M., Behillil, S., Bonmarin, I., Pino, C., & Hanslik, T. (2019). Baseline characteristics and clinical symptoms related to respiratory viruses identified among patients presenting with influenza-like illness in primary care. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 25(9), 1147-1153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2019.01.014 Takashita, E., Ichikawa, M., Morita, H., Ogawa, R., Fujisaki, S., Shirakura, M., . . . Hideka, M. (2019). Human-to-human transmission of influenza A (H3N2) virus with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir, Japan, February 2019. Emerging infectious diseases, 25(11), 2108. doi:10.3201/eid2511.190757 Valentino, S., & Suit, L. (2020). Increasing Intent to Vaccinate for Seasonal Influenza. Journal of community health nursing, 37(2), 49-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/07370016.2020.1736406