What is a communicable disease?

Any disease that can be spread from one person to another is considered to be a communicable or contagious disease. When a person is sick with a virus or bacteria there are only certain times that they can give the disease to others (contagious period). During this contagious time a child may be excluded from school or day care to prevent the spread of infection to others.

How is an infection spread?

Communicable diseases are illnesses that are caused by germs, which include bacteria,
viruses, parasites, or fungi. These germs are found in body secretions, such as stool, mucus, phlegm or in tiny droplets that are breathed, coughed, or sneezed out.
Germs that cause communicable diseases are spread from person to person in different ways. Some germs are spread through the air, like influenza (flu). Others are spread by touching a person infected with the illness or by touching an object that has the germ, like giardia. Germs can also be spread through water or contaminated food, like salmonella.

How can I minimize the spread of an infection?

• Wash your hands well and often with soap or use a hand sanitizer. This is the single most important measure to prevent the spread of infection.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.
• Keep your own and your children’s immunizations up-to-date.
• Don’t share eating utensils, lipsticks, drinking cups, etc.
• Clean and sanitize objects and surfaces (e.g., toys, counters, doorknobs, phones, etc.), with soap and warm water and/or a disinfectant.
• If you are sick don’t go to daycare, school, work, or other public places.