Contagious Diseases

Contagious diseases remain a significant public health focus, requiring community awareness and coordinated response efforts. Understanding these diseases, their transmission patterns, and prevention methods is crucial for maintaining public health. The New Orleans Health Department actively monitors and responds to various contagious diseases that can affect our community, with particular attention to seasonal and emerging health challenges.

Current Priority Diseases

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • COVID-19 continues to evolve as a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. While the public health emergency has ended, ongoing vigilance remains important. The virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness, including fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. Prevention strategies include vaccination, good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick.

Mpox

  • Mpox is a viral infection that spreads primarily through close personal contact. It can cause a characteristic rash along with flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches. The disease typically lasts 2-4 weeks and most people recover without serious complications. Prevention focuses on avoiding close contact with infected individuals and vaccination for those at higher risk. While less common than other contagious diseases, maintaining awareness and early detection remain important for public health.

Seasonal Influenza

  • The flu is a seasonal respiratory illness that typically peaks between October and May, with January and February seeing the highest number of cases. It can cause fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. The flu can be particularly severe for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions. Annual vaccination provides the best protection against influenza, along with proper hand washing and staying home when sick.

 

Prevention and Community Response

These diseases, while different in their specific characteristics, share common prevention strategies:

  • Regular hand washing Staying home when sick Keeping up to date with recommended vaccinations Maintaining awareness of local disease activity Seeking medical attention when symptoms develop

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