With the cold and flu season approaching, this is the perfect time to learn more about the things that can make you sick. So, what is it exactly that makes us sick? A communicable disease such as a cold is a disease that spreads from person to person. Communicable diseases are diseases that you can "catch" from someone or something else. Some people may use the words contagious or infectious when talking about communicable diseases. They can also be transmitted through shared liquids, food, bodily fluids, contaminated objects, through the air, and to a lesser degree, passed on from insects.
When a person becomes sick with a communicable disease, it means a germ has invaded their body. Germs fear soap and water. Washing your hands well and often is the best way to beat these tiny warriors. Since the most common way to contract a communicable disease is through person to person contact, the best way to prevent spreading your germs to someone else is to manage your symptoms so you do not pass the infection on to others. If you have symptoms that include fever, chills and achiness, you should stay home. In this case you are most likely contagious and are unlikely to work effectively anyhow.
Some examples of communicable diseases are (but not limited to):
If you are diagnosed with any communicable disease, the best thing to do is to isolate yourself from others and stay home- especially if your doctor advises this. Another way to prevent disease in the workplace is to use “universal precautions.” This goes under the thinking that you would treat everyone else like they have an infection and always use your gloves, change them often, and wash your hands when changing job areas or tasks. Remember always to wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating, using the restroom, or when coughing or sneezing. Following these guidelines will ensure a happy, healthy workplace.
Reference:
Communicable Diseases - Hillendale Elementary School. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://hes.ucfsd.org/gclaypo/commdise/commdise.html
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