There are a number of infectious diseases, some more serious than others. Infectious diseases are spread from one person to another. Viruses and bacteria can be spread through air, blood or body fluids.
Examples of infectious diseases are:
- Hepatitis
- HIV/Aids
- Influenza
- TB
- Meningitis
- Childhood diseases e.g. chicken pox, measles, mumps and German measles.
Hepatitis A and B, TB, meningococcal meningitis and measles are notifiable diseases, as determined by the Department of Health. The disease reporting system in South Africa is based on government law (National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003) which states that specific infectious diseases must be reported on specific Government forms on a daily/weekly basis to the Local Authority (Local Municipality) for action, who then reports to the Provincial Department of Health and on to the National Department of Health. According to the South African Society of Travel Medicine, the purpose of notification is disease control. This will assist the health authorities to speedily implement measures that will prevent the spread of that disease.
Diseases are reported to the Department of Health by the doctor or nurse who diagnoses the disease. When persons on campus are diagnosed, it is reported by the Health and Wellness Centre. Sister Riana Johnson from the Health and Wellness Centre says: “If the person visits another doctor or clinic, it is their (doctor or nurse) responsibility to report the disease to the Department of Health. When one of our students is, for example, diagnosed with a disease such as meningitis and we are aware of it, we are instructed to determine if prophylactic treatment or immunisations are needed. Persons on campus who are diagnosed with infectious diseases therefore have to be reported to the Health and Wellness Centre.”
There are many common infectious diseases, such as colds and flu. They often present symptoms such as a sore throat, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headache, fever and nausea. It can be treated by sufficient rest and medication. Common infectious diseases usually disappear in the course of a few days.
An effective way of treating infectious disease is through immunisation before you are infected. Immunisations against Hepatitis A and B, childhood diseases, meningococcal meningitis and some forms of influenza are available. Immunisations can be obtained at your family doctor or traveller’s clinic. The traveller’s clinic (doctors or pharmacies may be registered as clinics) usually have immunisations available. The Health and Wellness Centre also stocks some immunisations, but only a limited supply.
If you are travelling to areas where certain diseases (e.g. yellow fever and hepatitis) are common, visit a traveller’s clinic for advice on prophylactic medication and immunisation.
“Prevention is the most effective form of treatment against infectious disease. Boost your immune system with fruit and vegetables, 30 minutes of exercise at least five times a week, and drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day. Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom, before handling food, after sneezing, coughing or touching a dirty surface,” says Sister Sarien de Necker from the Health and Wellness Centre at the UFS.