AIRBORNE DISEASES Airborne diseases refers to any diseases which are caused by pathogens and transmitted through the

air. These viruses and bacteria can be spread through coughing, sneezing, laughing or through close personal contact. These pathogens ride on either dust particles or small respiratory droplets and can stay suspended in air and or are capable of traveling distances on air currents.[1] Often, airborne pathogens or allergens cause inflammation in the nose, throat, sinuses and the lungs. This is caused by the inhalation of these pathogens that affect a person's respiratory system or even the rest of the body. Sinus congestion, coughing and sore throats are examples of inflammation of the upper respiratory air way due to these airborne agents. Air pollution plays a significant role in airborne diseases which is linked to asthma. Pollutants are said to influence lung function by increasing air way inflammation. [2] Alongside pollutants, tobacco smoke increases the risk of attracting these diseases. [3] Many common infections can spread by airborne transmission at least in some cases, including: Anthrax (inhalational), Chickenpox, Influenza, Measles, Smallpox and Tuberculosis. Airborne diseases are most commonly seen in unsanitary household conditions and overcrowded areas. Also, these diseases thrive in areas of poverty and poor hygienic conditions. Tuberculosis (TB) happens to be one of the most leading causes of death in adults from infectious diseases. Around 95 percent of people suffering from this disease are from developing areas in the world. Measles and diphtheria are two diseases found in poverty conditions, but over the years these diseases have been eliminated due to vaccines in developed countries. [4] Airborne diseases can also affect non-humans. For example, Newcastle disease is an avian disease that effects many types of domestic poultry worldwide which is transmitted via airborne contamination.[5] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS Pulmonary tuberculosis is an airborne disease that affects 10 people out of every 100,000 people in the United States, says MedlinePlus. This disease occurs when a person inhales infected respiratory droplets. Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include coughing up blood or phlegm, excessive night sweats, fever, weight loss and tiredness. This disease can also lead to chest pain, wheezing and problems breathing. The exact cause for pulmonary tuberculosis is the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. MedlinePlus says that the elderly, infants and those people with a weakened immune systems have a risk for getting tuberculosis. Treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis involves taking antibiotic medications such as isoniazid or rifampin to eliminate the bacteria. This treatment may be for more than six months, depending upon the severity of the tuberculosis. H1N1 FLU The H1N1 flu, commonly called the swine flu, is another airborne disease passed via respiratory droplets. The H1N1 flu became a household name in the spring of 2009 when an epidemic of this type of flu arose. Specific H1N1 flu symptoms include a fever, diarrhea, chills, a sore throat, a headache, body aches and fatigue, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other flu symptoms include a cough and vomiting. Typically, these symptoms develop after three to five days of initial exposure. This flu may last for about eight days. Specifically, the H1N1 influenza viruses causes this type of flu.

Typically, healthy persons do not require treatment other than supportive medications found at the local pharmacy. However, antiviral medications such as oseltamivir and zanamavir may be prescribed to fight off the viral infection. Usually, pregnant women, AIDS or HIV sufferers, children younger than five years of age and those with chronic medical conditions such as asthma are considered high-risk groups that may benefit from the aforementioned medications. Pneumonia, respiratory arrest (stop breathing) and exacerbation of diseases such as asthma may result if the H1N1 flu is not treated. MEASLES Measles is a very contagious disease that spreads via contact with droplets from an infected person, states MedlinePlus. Specific symptoms of the measles includes a cough, fever, muscle pain, light sensitivity and a rash. This rash can reveal itself three to five days after showing the aforementioned symptoms and can last for as long as seven days. Specifically, this rash is red, flat, itchy and raised in some places on the skin. Other measles symptoms include a runny nose, a sore throat, redness of the eyes and small white spots on the inside of the mouth (Koplik spots). No specific treatment exists for the measles, but resting, using a humidifier and taking acetaminophen may be beneficial in managing the symptoms. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CHICKEN POX Chickenpox (or chicken pox) is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).[1] It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and becomes itchy, raw pockmarks, which mostly heal without scarring. On examination, the observer typically finds lesions at various stages of healing. Chickenpox is an airborne disease spread easily through coughing or sneezing of ill individuals or through direct contact with secretions from the rash. A person with chickenpox is infectious one to two days before the rash appears.[2] They remain contagious until all lesions have crusted over (this takes approximately six days).[3] Immunocompromised patients are contagious during the entire period as new lesions keep appearing. Crusted lesions are not contagious.[4] Chickenpox has been observed in other primates, including chimpanzees[5] and gorillas.[6] There are several theories regarding the origin of the term chicken pox. It is often stated to be a modification of chickpeas (based on resemblance of the vesicles to chickpeas),[7][8] or due to the rash resembling chicken pecks.[8] Other theories include the designation chicken for a child (i.e., literally 'child pox') or a corruption of itching-pox.[7][9] Samuel Johnson explained the designation as "from its being of no very great danger."[10] SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS It takes from 10 to 21 days after initial exposure for the disease to develop. The onset of illness with chickenpox is often characterized by symptoms including myalgia, itching, nausea, fever, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, pain in both ears, complaints of pressure in head or swollen face, and malaise in adolescents and adults. In children, the first symptom is usually the development of a vesicular rash, which begins on the trunk and then spreads to the face and limbs. [11] This is then followed by development of malaise, fever (a body temperature of 38 C (100 F), but may be as high as 42 C (108 F) in rare cases), sometimes severe back pains to the lower back, and loss of appetite. Typically, the disease is more severe in adults.[12] Chickenpox is rarely fatal, although it is generally more severe in adult males than in adult females or children. Nonimmune pregnant women and those with a suppressed immune system are at highest risk of serious complications. Chickenpox is believed to be the cause of one third of stroke cases in children.[13] The most common late complication of chickenpox is shingles (herpes zoster), caused

by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus decades after the initial episode of chickenpox. PREVENTION Hygiene measures The spread of chickenpox can be prevented by isolating affected individuals. Contagion is by exposure to respiratory droplets, or direct contact with lesions, within a period lasting from three days prior to the onset of the rash, to four days after the onset of the rash.[27] The chickenpox virus (VZV) is susceptible to disinfectants, notably chlorine bleach (i.e., sodium hypochlorite). Also, like all enveloped viruses, VZV is sensitive to desiccation, heat and detergents. Therefore these viruses are relatively easy to kill. Varicella vaccine A varicella vaccine was first developed by Michiaki Takahashi in 1974 derived from the Oka strain. It has been available in the US since 1995 to inoculate against the disease. Some countries require the varicella vaccination or an exemption before entering elementary school. Protection from one dose is not lifelong and a second dose is necessary five years after the initial immunization,[28] which is currently part of the routine immunization schedule in the US.[29] The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in the UK. In the UK, the vaccine is currently only offered to people who are particularly vulnerable to chickenpox. A vaccinated person is likely to have a milder case of chickenpox if infected.[30] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------