|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

List of Highly Contagious Diseases

Highly contagious diseases are often airborne, though many are spread through direct contact with infected persons. You can greatly reduce your risk for disease by staying home when your immune system is compromised, such as after an illness, and by frequent hand-washing. Many diseases are spread through the airborne particles that accompany a cough or sneeze, so always cover your mouth to prevent the further spread of infection and, if you begin to feel ill, wear a facial mask.

  1. Varicella (Chickenpox)

    • Varicella, more commonly referred to as chickenpox, is a highly contagious disease that most commonly affects children. Most people only catch varicella once, but the disease can lie dormant in your body and later cause an outbreak of a similar disease, shingles. Varicella is characterized by a blotchy rash that spreads over the entire body, including the genitals, ears, nose and mouth. Varicella is highly contagious because it spreads through coughing and sneezing, even before symptoms appear. A vaccine is available for children who are least 12 months old.

    Measles (Rubeola)

    • Measles, or rubeola, is an airborne respiratory disease that infects 20 million people worldwide each year. Measles is spread through small droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs without covering his mouth. The most prominent characteristic of this disease is the full-body rash that accompanies it, but other symptoms include runny nose, cough, red eyes and a fever. There is a measles vaccine available that is usually administered to children who are 12 months of age or older.

    Malaria

    • Malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes carrying a small parasite. In 2008, between 190 million and 311 million people worldwide were infected with malaria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria is most commonly in Africa and South Asia, although about 1,500 cases are reported in the United States each year. Symptoms of malaria include flu-like symptoms, accompanied by a fever and chills. A vaccine is available.

Public Health - Related Articles