Definition
Scabies is a common skin infection, which affects human beings and animals (around the world). Globally, about 300 million new cases of scabies infections are reported annually (Betts 2003, p. 97). The disease may manifest in different ways including excessive itching (especially at night), the formation of rashes (especially between fingers), sore skin (which develops from excessive scratching), and thin marks on the skin (which may resemble pencil marks) (Betts 2003, p. 97).
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
A parasitic mite that is not visible to the naked eye causes scabies. The parasite lives under a victim’s skin and causes intense skin discomfort. In human beings, the disease is often transmitted through extensive exposures with the skin of an infected person. After infection, the symptoms of the disease may take about six weeks to be visible (Betts 2003, p. 97).
How failed Living Standards Contribute to the Illness
Poor living standards associated with poor hygiene exacerbates the spread of scabies. More so, poor body hygiene may lead to increased prevalence of the disease. Children run a greater risk of suffering from scabies due to poor hygiene. It is therefore important to maintain proper body hygiene by washing people regularly to prevent scabies (Betts 2003, p. 97).
Populations at Particular Risk
Children are considered a “high-risk” population for scabies. The disease is considered to be among the three most common skin infections for this population group. However, scabies is considered a common skin infection around the world and it affects all people regardless of age, social class, and race (Betts 2003, p. 97).
S aureus: Impetigo/Cellulitis
Definition
S aureus is perceived to be the most common cause of staph infections (which include impetigo and cellulitis) (Rubin 2002, p. 51). Impetigo is commonly perceived as a superficial bacterial skin infection, while cellulitis is a diffused inflammation of the connective tissues (which often occurs when the layer of the skin has been damaged).
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
Impetigo is commonly caused by the pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus (Rubin 2002, p. 51). Generally, the pathogen forms honey-colored scabs on the victim’s skin as a manifestation of dried serum on the patient’s skin. The skin infection normally occurs on the arms, legs, or face and it may also cause flu-like symptoms that may consequently manifest in other complications such as headaches and vomiting (Rubin 2002, p. 51).
How failed Living Standards Contribute to the Illnesses
Cellulitis is known to be common in areas where people share common facilities such as clothes and beddings. Therefore, if there is an outbreak of the disease in such living conditions, the disease will spread rapidly. To prevent the spread of the disease, it is important to wash (regularly) beddings and clothes (Rubin 2002, p. 51).
Populations at Particular Risk
Preschool children and people who play close-contact sports such as rugby, American football (and the likes) constitute the main population at risk of suffering impetigo-related infections. Cellulitis is however common among the elderly and those with suppressed immunity (Greenhalgh 2010, p.12).
Trichuriasis (Whipworm)
Definition
Trichuriasis is a common parasitic infection that infects the cecum or appendix of the infected person. The disease is normally associated with gastrointestinal infections and abdominal pains. It may manifest in several ways including traces of blood on human waste, iron-deficiency anemia, fecal incontinence and rectal prolapse.
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
Trichuriasis is caused by Trichuris trichiura (whipworm), where human beings ingest infective eggs of the worm. Some researchers however suggest that the disease can also be spread through sexual contact between infected persons (Rubin 2002, p. 51).
How failed Living Standards Contribute to the Illness
Increased cases of trichuriasis have been associated with poor waste disposal, which is a common characteristic of poor living conditions. The presence of waste in the human living environment may therefore lead to the rapid spread of the disease. To curb the spread of the disease, it is important to practice proper waste disposal and eliminate all waste from the human living environment (Betts 2003, p. 97).
Populations at Particular Risk
Inhabitants of tropical climates are especially vulnerable to trichuriasis (Fay 2003, p. 1). However, in North America, the prevalence of the disease among children is equally high.
Obesity and Diabetes Two
Definition
Obesity is a health condition, which is realized when the human body fat is beyond the acceptable healthy levels. Obesity is often associated with type-two-diabetes. Excessive glucose levels and reduced insulin levels cause type two diabetes
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
Obesity is caused by several lifestyle factors including poor diets, sedentary lifestyles and genetic factors (Barnett 2009, p. 225). High dense foods such as those containing high fat and sugar levels have also been singled out as contributing to obesity.
How failed Living Standards Contribute to the Illness
Poor lifestyle choices bordering on poor nutrition is known to be the leading causes of obesity and type two diabetes. For instance, the constant uptake of fast foods at the expense of home-cooked meals contributes to increased prevalence of the diseases. To prevent the spread of the disease, it is important to store, prepare and cook foods instead of buying processed foods and eating more than is necessary (Barnett 2009, p. 90).
Populations at Particular Risk
Recent studies show that, adults and children are highly prone to obesity and type-two-diabetes. However, people who have a history of obesity also stand a high chance of suffering the same diseases (Barnett 2009).
Otitis Media
Definition
Otitis media is known in the nonprofessional’s language as an ear-infection but it is an inflammation that occurs in the middle ear (Elston 2007, p. 11).
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
Otitis media may be caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infections that are found in the middle ear. Eustachian tube infections are also identified as a major cause of otitis media (Betts 2003, p. 97).
How failed Living Standards Contribute to the Illness
Otitis media is associated with poor living conditions, which increase one’s vulnerability to the disease. Crowding is associated with increased incidence of the disease especially when children spend a lot of time in daycares or similar crowded environments (Chang 2008). Reducing overcrowding is therefore a good measure of managing the disease.
Populations at Particular Risk
Children below the age of seven are perceived to constitute a high-risk population for otitis media because they have a shorter Eustachian tube (compared to adults). Furthermore, their resistance to viruses and bacteria is lower when compared to adults.
Ross River Fever
Definition
Among other countries, Australia has the highest incidence of Ross river infection. The disease is caused by a mosquito-borne disease, which is characterized by an influenza-like illness, which may manifest in arthritis, fever or rash.
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
Ross river infections are ordinarily carried by mosquitoes, which carry the Ross river virus (Betts 2003, p. 97).
How failed Living Standards Contribute to the Illness
Failed livings standards associated with the prevalence of ill effects on people, animals, insects and vermin contacts are identified to be the highest contributors to the prevalence of Ross river infection. Reducing the ill effects of people, animals, insects and vermin contacts will therefore reduce the prevalence of the disease (Betts 2003, p. 97).
Populations at Particular Risk
People living in areas of high rainfall and maxima tides are most prone to Ross river infections. Adults aged between 24 years and 44 years constitute the most vulnerable population group. The incidence of the disease is evenly distributed across all genders (Betts 2003, p. 97).
Trachoma
Definition
Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection associated with the roughening of the inner eyelids, “pinkening” of the eye, swelling of the eyes, swelling of the lymph nodes and excessive discharge from the eye. The disease is perceived to be among the greatest causes of blindness around the world and it is most common in developing countries or areas where people are living in poor conditions (Betts 2003, p. 97).
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
Cytoplasmic inclusions are the main causative agent for trachoma. The bacteria are transmitted through contact with human secretions that contain the bacteria.
How failed Living Standards Contribute to the Illness
Increased exposure to dust has often been identified as a common contributor to the spread of trachoma. This reason is responsible for the high incidence of the disease among children since children like to play in dusty places (and such like environments). It is therefore important to reduce dust in the human living environment to curb the spread of trachoma (Buttner 2011).
Populations at Particular Risk
Children form a highly risky population group associated with trachoma because of their nature to be dirty. However, trachoma does not ordinarily lead to blindness at this tender age (Buttner 2011).
Streptococcal Skin Infections
Definition
Streptococcal skin infections are caused by bacteria and are classified into different types including type B, C, D and G. The bacteria are often found in the human respiratory system or gut and they may cause skin infections such as cellulitis, ecthyma, impetigo, erysipelas, necrotizing fasciitis, tropical ulcers (and the likes) (Heymann 2008).
Causative Agent and Pattern of Illness
As noted from the name, Streptococcal skin infections are caused by gram-positive cocci which often occur (under a microscope) in chains. The disease normally occurs when there are connective tissue disorders or when a patient experiences trauma (Fleming 2012).
How failed Living Standards Contribute to Streptococcal Skin Infections
People staying in hazardous living conditions may suffer severe or minor injuries, which increase their susceptibility to streptococcal skin infections. Such people also suffer increased likelihood of experiencing trauma. Trauma and skin injuries are identified to cause streptococcal skin infections. Eliminating these hazardous elements in the environment therefore reduces the prevalence of the disease (Helen 2011).
Populations at Particular Risk
The elderly population is especially susceptible to streptococcal skin infections because they suffer decreased immunity. Chronically ill patients also suffer high chances of developing the disease because of the same reason (Fleming 2012).
References
Barnett, A 2009, Obesity and Diabetes, John Wiley & Sons, London.
Betts, R 2003, Reese and Betts’ a practical approach to infectious diseases, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, London.
Buttner, P 2011, Epidemiology, Oxford University Press, Sydney.
Chang, E 2008, Chronic Illness and Disability- Principles for nursing practice, Elsevier, Sydney.
Elston, D 2007, Clinical Management of Uncomplicated Skin and Skin-Structure Infections, Professional Communications, Sydney.
Fay, J 2003, Tropical health in the Top End – an introduction for health practitioners, Top End Division of General Practice, Australia.
Fleming, M 2012, Introduction to Public Health, Elsevier, Sydney.
Greenhalgh, T 2010, How to read a paper – The basics of evidence-based medicine, Wiley-Blackwell, London.
Helen, K 2011, Understanding health, Oxford University Press, Australia & NZ.
Heymann, DL 2008, Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, An official report of the American Public Health Association, USA.
Rubin, R 2002, Clinical approach to infection in the compromised host, Springer, Michigan.