Communicable and Infectious Disease Risks

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

The last stage on the long continuum of HIV infection and is the most severe phase

Antiretroviral therapy (ART)

Long-term treatment for HIV that help control virus

Chlamydia

Infects the genitourinary tract and rectum of adults and causes conjunctivitis and pneumonia in neonates

Contact tracing

Identifies and notifies individuals who may have come into contact with an infected person in order to reduce the spread of communicable diseases

Directly observed therapy (DOT)

Treatment strategy for TB where healthcare providers supervise patients taking their medications to ensure adherence

Genital herpes

STI caused by the herpes simplex virus, characterized by painful sores in the genital area

Genital warts

STI caused by HPV, characterized by growths or lumps in the genital area

Gonorrhea

STI caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, often leading to painful urination and discharge.

Hepatitis A

Vaccine-preventable disease of the liver caused by the HAV transmitted via fecal-oral routs

Hepatitis B

Vaccine-preventable viral infection of the liver caused by HBV, transmitted through contact with body fluids

Hepatitis C

Liver disease caused by the HCV, a blood-borne virus

HIV antibody test

Detects the presence of antibodies toHIV in a person's blood

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Virus that attacks the immune system, specifically the CD4 cells

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Sexually transmitted virus that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer

Incubation period

Time between exposure to an infectious agent and appearance of symptoms

Injection drug use

Substance use where drugs are administered directly into the bloodstream using needles or syringes

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)

An inflammation of the urethra not caused by gonorrhea, often due to other infections like chlamydia

Partner notification

Informing sexual partners of a person diagnosed with an infectious disease so they can seek testing and treatment

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infection of the female reproductive organs, often resulting from sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Infections typically spread through sexual contact

Syphilis

STI caused by the Treponema pallidum

Tuberculosis (TB)

Contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis