Search the CDC National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS) list. Click this link: NNDSS.Links to an external site.
Select the Notifiable Conditions List, year 2022 National Notifiable Infectious DiseasesLinks to an external site.(most current year), check Infectious.
Select one infectious disease that starts with the first letter of your first, middle, or last name (D or H) that could potentially impact your community.
Clearly describe the disease, explain the chain of transmission, and include the CDC mandatory reporting requirements for the disease.
Explain the global impact of this disease and what country other than the U.S. is most affected?
Present one evidence-based strategy the nurse would use to help decrease the spread of this disease.
APA 7th ed
2 scholarly references within the past 7 years
I chose the disease Diphtheria, which starts with the first letter of my last name. Diphtheria is a serious and potentially fatal respiratory illness caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The bacterium produces a toxin that can damage the heart, nerves, and other organs.
Diphtheria is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects.
The CDC requires healthcare providers to report all cases of diphtheria to the local health department. The health department will then investigate the case and take steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
Diphtheria is a global disease, but it is most common in developing countries with poor sanitation and health care systems. In 2020, there were an estimated 5,200 cases of diphtheria worldwide, resulting in 1,300 deaths. The country with the most cases of diphtheria in 2020 was India, with 2,200 cases.
There is a vaccine that can prevent diphtheria. The vaccine is usually given as part of the DTaP vaccine, which also protects against tetanus and pertussis. The DTaP vaccine is recommended for all children at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months of age. A booster dose is recommended at 11-12 years of age.
One evidence-based strategy that nurses can use to help decrease the spread of diphtheria is to educate patients and families about the importance of vaccination. Nurses can also teach patients about the signs and symptoms of diphtheria and how to prevent the spread of the disease.
Here are two scholarly references that I found within the past 7 years:
Diphtheria. (2022, March 8). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdc.gov/diphtheria/index.html
Diphtheria: A Review of the Literature. (2019, March). Retrieved from Journal of Infection Prevention website: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6440441/
