Influenza in travelers: epidemiology, risk, prevention, and control issues

Robert Steffen1

  • 1Division of Epidemiology and Prevention of Communicable Diseases, Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, WHO Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84 / E29, CH-8001, Zurich, Switzerland, roste@ifspm.uzh.ch.

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Infectious Diseases and Their Occurrence

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Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets

Transmission-based precautions are for patients known to be infected or suspected to be infected or colonized with organisms that pose a significant risk to others. Some transmission-based precautions include contact, enteric, and droplet.
Contact Precautions:
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Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.
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Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
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Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment

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Airborne precautions:
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