As a CNA, you are constantly exposed to different types of diseases. You may not realize that the diseases you encounter on a daily basis could be harmful or fatal if not treated early enough. If left untreated, these 5 common infections can lead to serious health complications for both patients and CNAs alike. This blog post will give an overview of each disease as well as how to avoid contracting them in the first place!
This article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
1. MRSA: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
What It Is
Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria in skin flora, and most people carry the bacteria on their skin or in their noses. In some cases, it can enter the body through a break or wound and cause infection which can be spread between people by direct contact.
In healthcare settings, including hospitals and nursing homes, MRSA is a major concern because it is resistant to treatment with certain antibiotics such as methicillin (hence the name “methicillin-resistant“). When infections caused by these bacteria become severe they can lead to sepsis and pneumonia. This makes it extremely important for CNAs to avoid letting the bacterial cells enter lesions in their hands.
How You Get It
MRSA can be transmitted between individuals through direct contact with open wounds and areas of the skin that contain the bacteria. It is often spread in healthcare facilities when a patient or carrier touches an open wound on another individual which has come into contact with the bacteria, and then that person touches their own open wound.
How To Protect Yourself
The most important thing you can do to protect against infection is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content if hand washing is impractical. Make sure that all cuts, scrapes, or sores are properly bandaged to reduce the chances of getting MRSA in the first place; this also helps to prevent injury from other patients or equipment.
If you believe that you may be carrying MRSA (or any other disease), it’s important to keep yourself as healthy as possible by maintaining a diet high in fruits and vegetables, practicing good hygiene such as regular showers, and avoiding contact with other people when you are unwell.
2. Influenza
What It Is
Influenza is the medical term for the common flu. Symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes, and nausea. It can be very severe in some patients leading to pneumonia or even death. The flu virus spreads through contact with small droplets of saliva or mucus when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms usually appear within one to four days after exposure but sometimes not until seven days later. These symptoms normally last up to two weeks before resolving on their own without treatment; however, it’s possible for people who are particularly vulnerable that symptoms may linger.
How You Get It
Like many other infectious diseases, the risk of contracting the flu is higher for CNAs because they come into contact with so many other people on a daily basis. In addition, you are more likely to get the flu if you spend time in crowded spaces where viruses and bacteria spread quickly. Other factors that increase your chances of getting the flu include being over 65 years old or having any other underlying medical condition such as asthma or diabetes.
How To Protect Yourself
The best way to protect yourself from becoming infected with influenza is through vaccination. This requires a yearly vaccine that includes protection from three different types of virus strains. However, those who work as CNAs should also receive a second dose within two weeks if there’s been significant exposure to the virus (i.e., working with people who are sick or when a new strain is in the community).
You can also help protect yourself by washing your hands after each patient you visit, coughing into your sleeve to reduce the spread of droplets, and staying home when you’re sick until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
3. Bladder infections
What It Is
A bladder infection also called a urinary tract infection (UTI), is an infection that affects the urethra and/or the bladder. The most common symptoms of a bladder infection include burning or pain with urination, increased frequency to urinate, fever, low back pain, as well as needing to go more frequently as soon as you start to feel the urge. If the infection has spread up towards your kidneys it can also cause nausea.
How You Get It
CNAs are at high risk for developing a bladder infection because they come into contact with other people’s urine and fecal matter on a daily basis. In addition, other factors that increase your chances of contracting this type of infectious disease include smoking, obesity, holding urine in for too long, and advanced age.
How To Protect Yourself
Prevention is always better than a cure. Preventing bladder infections from occurring involves taking care to avoid contact with other people’s bodily fluids as much as possible. This means not sharing towels or razors, wiping front to back after using the bathroom, avoiding wiping irritated skin with toilet paper, changing diapers carefully so you don’t touch any fecal matter, washing your hands well afterward, and refraining from sexual intercourse.
If you find that you are frequently getting these types of infections then it might be time to talk to your doctor about what steps should be taken next to ensure they don’t become more serious.
4. Diabetes
What It Is
Diabetes is a long-term medical condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. This results in either a shortage or complete lack of insulin, which normally regulates the amount of glucose found in the blood. Without insulin, excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used as energy, which can cause damage to various tissues and organs throughout your body.
Eventually, this can lead to blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, heart disease, and stroke. In severe cases, it may also result in amputation due to gangrene. The main symptoms associated with diabetes are increased thirst and hunger along with frequent urination due to high blood sugar levels.
How You Get It
CNAs have a higher risk of contracting diabetes because they are in frequent contact with other people’s bodily fluids, which increases their exposure to viruses associated with the disease. Older age is also a risk factor for developing this condition.
How To Protect Yourself
If you have a high risk of getting type 2 diabetes then it’s recommended that you get vaccinated against hepatitis B, which has been linked to the disease. The best way to avoid getting diabetes is by staying at a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking.
5. Fatigue
What It Is
Fatigue is a very common and easily treatable condition that can also be caused by other health problems. The main symptom of this disease is extreme tiredness and the need to sleep more often than usual, but it can also cause irritability, depression, low sex drive, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches, and abdominal pain.
How You Get It
There are many possible causes for fatigue such as dehydration (which decreases the amount of blood in your body), alcoholism, malnutrition, anxiety or depression, sleep deprivation, certain medications, thyroid disorders, anemia, pregnancy or lactation during menstruation. A lack of exercise might also increase your chances of getting fatigued.
How To Protect Yourself
CNAs are frequently short on sleep because of their night shift work schedule, so this is one way they are more likely to get fatigued. Other tips that can help you avoid it include getting tested for conditions associated with fatigue, avoiding caffeine and sugar at night, making sure to get enough rest while on the job, exercising regularly, reducing your stress levels through relaxation exercises or meditation, taking some time off if possible and improving the quality of your diet.
If you are a CNA, it’s important to take steps to avoid getting one of these five diseases. The best way is by staying at a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking. We hope that this article has given some helpful tips for how CNAs can better care for themselves!