Defining epidemiology, outbreak, incidence, and prevalence

Defining epidemiology, outbreak, incidence, and prevalence

Epidemiology of infectious diseases is an incidence of a communicable disease which is occurring persistently and spreading widely, epidemic, as a result of a microbial infection like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  The infectious disease occurs when there is an agent which can transmit the infections within a population(Burman et al., 2014). The Infections causing diseases are transmitted from one person to another through contact like handshakes, sharing of substances like water or through vectors such as mosquitoes. An outbreak of infectious disease is said to occur when the infections spread to a wide area and affect a large population, for example, the case of the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)  which killed over 800 people worldwide in 2003(Burman et al., 2014). The incidence of infectious diseases is very high with 17000 new cases of hepatitis C infections in the US in 2011(Burman et al., 2014). Over 50,000 additional cases of HIV infections occur every year in the US(Burman et al., 2014).   The number of people affected by an infectious disease at a given time, prevalence, is very high. The prevalence is high because of the ease of spreading of the infections through micro-agents.

Evaluating the role of nursing in epidemiology
Nursing in epidemiology ensures that patients get the required treatment and care, reduce the risk of infections and develop measures to prevent the infections(Campagna et al., 206). In carrying out the factions, nurses in epidemiology inspect a patient to determine presence on infections. The nurses also, researchers on the risk factor of an infection in a patient or a population. Once they identify the risk factor or the agent of infection, they search for the gaps which need adjustments to control the infections(Campagna et al., 206). Nurses in the field monitor the infected people or population to inhibit transmission to other people or population. In reducing the infections and controlling the diseases, the nurse Epidemiologists develops policies to guide people and healthcare on control measures(Campagna et al., 206).  Nursing epidemiology focuses on general health care of the public by carrying out all functions which will reduce the risk factor. The field aims at ensuring that others do not contract the disease.

Evaluating current infectious diseases locally, statewide, and nationally
One of the current local infectious diseases is Hepatitis A in San Diego California. The infection is vast and the biggest out of other outbreaks ever experienced in the state of California. As a result of its intensity, the health department in the city declared it as a state of emergency.  Campylobacter Infections can be classified as a statewide infection which has been experienced mostly in New York. Typhoid disease caused by salmonella infection has affected several states in the US making it become a national issue. It has affected over 23 states in the US. E. coli O157:H7 Infections has also affected several states in t et al., 2015)he US(Skarbinski et al., 2015). China has also experienced an infection, avian influenza which started in 2013 and rejuvenated again in 2017. HIV AIDs is also a national infectious disease which accounts for over 38000 new infections in the US every year(Skarbinski et al., 2015).

Associating three of the most current infectious diseases with Healthy People 2020 objectives
One of the most current infectious diseases is HIV AIDs. The disease has been included in the Healthy people 2020 objectives where one of the goals is to reduce HIV infections(Skarbinski et al., 2015). The government has continued to meet the objective in that the new infections reported every year in the US have reduced by around 20%. Another goal under the disease is increasing access to health care as well as improving the health of those infected.  Healthy People 2020 also aim at reducing health inequality between those infected with HIV and those who have other diseases. Hepatitis B has also covered under the Healthy people 2020 objectives. Healthy People 2020 focus on increasing immunization to reduce infectious diseases which are preventable(Skarbinski et al., 2015). Some of the vaccines focused at include the ones which prevent meningitis and Hepatitis B. the government through the program aims at saving over 33,000 lives and blocks over 14 million infection cases. Apart from the vaccines, the program is also aiming at providing antibiotics, screening and testing guidelines for infections.

Analyzing evidence-based practices aimed at reducing infectious diseases
One of the evidence-based practices aimed at lowering contagious diseases is screening for infections. The practice enables people to get early treatment to avoid spreading the disease since they are communicable(Casey et al., 2015). Test on HIV, for example, keeps the partner safe because the infected partner will get control and treatment early. It also helps to prevent the unborn babies from being infected. Another practice is avoiding flights and public places when one is infected(Casey et al., 2015). There are some agents of infections which spread through the air like the flu. When people are in one area, the flu spreads very quickly since the area around is hot and the distance between the hosts is small. By avoiding enclosed spaces when sick, it will help to prevent spreading the infections.  Also, physicians recommend vaccination. Body immune is not enough to stop the contraction of the diseases. Vaccines help to activate the body fight the agents when they come into contact with the body.

 

Do you need an Original High Quality Academic Custom Essay?