Common Infectious Diseases and Substance Abuse Overview
Common Infectious Diseases
Chickenpox
Agent: Varicella-zoster virus (herpesvirus family).
Symptoms: 14-18 day incubation period, mild fever, rash starting on the trunk, spreading to the face, neck, limbs, and scalp.
Contagion: Direct contact.
Measles
Agent: Paramyxovirus.
Symptoms: 10-12 day incubation period, pre-eruptive photophobia, mouth staining, followed by a skin rash.
Contagion: Direct contact.
Rubella
Agent: Rubella virus.
Symptoms: 1-2 week incubation period, swollen neck glands, cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash.
Contagion: Highest during the rash phase.
Mumps
Agent: Paramyxoviridae virus.
Symptoms: 18-21 day incubation period, malaise, sore throat, dry mouth, swollen salivary glands (parotid).
Contagion: Direct contact; confers lifelong immunity.
Roseola Infantum (Sixth Disease)
Symptoms: 7-20 day incubation period, 2-3 days of high fever, inflamed tonsils, fever decrease followed by a 2-day rash.
Scarlet Fever
Agent: Streptococcus bacteria.
Symptoms: Starts with strep throat, followed by a dense red rash, high fever, headache, stomach pain, and vomiting.
Contagion: Direct contact.
Substance Abuse
Alcoholism
Effects: Rapid impact on the nervous system, disinhibition, impaired coordination, breathing and circulatory difficulties.
Complications: Pancreatitis, heart damage, esophageal bleeding, brain degeneration, cirrhosis, hypertension, nutritional deficiencies.
Treatment: Intervention, detoxification, rehabilitation (medical and psychological counseling, inpatient care).
Cigarette Smoking
Effects: Pleasure, excitement, euphoria, anxiety relief, reduced smell and taste, appetite loss, bad breath, increased blood pressure and heart rate, sweating.
Complications: Cancer, cardiovascular disease, addiction, stained teeth and fingers, gastric ulcers, reduced lung capacity.
Treatment: Nicotine patches or gum.
Drug Abuse
Amphetamines
Origin: Synthetic derivative of ephedrine.
Symptoms: Addiction, irritability, anxiety, hypertension, paranoia, psychosis, depression, aggression, convulsions, dilated pupils, dizziness, insomnia, poor appetite, malnutrition, high HIV/Hepatitis risk (if injected).
Withdrawal: Extreme fatigue, drowsiness, anxiety, restlessness, increased depression, suicidal thoughts, delusions, hallucinations.
Cocaine
Origin: Coca plant.
Symptoms: Addiction, dilated pupils, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, seizures, heart attacks, insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, high temperature, fatal overdose.
Withdrawal: Extreme fatigue, depression, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations.
Heroin
Origin: Processed from morphine (extracted from opium poppies).
Symptoms: Addiction, slurred speech, constricted pupils, droopy eyelids, night vision problems, drowsiness, respiratory depression, dry skin, skin infections, high HIV/Hepatitis risk (if injected).
Withdrawal: Rapid breathing, yawning, tearing, runny nose, sweating, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, goosebumps, fever, dilated pupils, tremors, chills, muscle pain, poor appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
Marijuana
Origin: Dried leaves, flowers, and stems of the Cannabis sativa plant.
Symptoms: Red eyes, dry mouth, impaired reasoning, altered time perception, impaired coordination and concentration, paranoia, anxiety attacks, altered perceptions, learning and memory problems, speech and listening difficulties, impaired thinking and problem-solving.
Withdrawal: No significant symptoms.