Question

Case study;

Mark, age 38, and his wife, Cathy, age 34, have two children; Sam is five and Alex is three. They decided that Cathy will stay home with the boys until they reached age 6 and were ready to attend first grade. Kathy's educational background is in early childhood education, so she feels comfortable staying home with the children. Mark is self-employed as an accountant, so he has a small office and two assistants. In addition, Gretchen, and Kathy's mother, 72 live with the family. Gretchen has been battling breast cancer for several years and has received multiple chemotherapy treatments, causing her immune system to be weak. As for health insurance, Gretchen has Medicare and the recommended supplemental policy for cancer treatment and prescriptions. Mark, Cathy, and their children's are enrolled in insurance they bought from the insurance exchange that was created through the federal Affordable Care Act. Generally, Mark and Cathy do not use their health insurance because they save money but only going to the doctor when it is necessary. They use the health insurance mainly for the children's for annual physical examinations, vaccinations, and visits related to mild childhood illnesses such as ear infections, vomiting, and sore throats. Mark and Cathy reported that their children's play outside daily, so the children remain healthy and active.

The family is involved in their faith-based community, and the children play soccer on the youth team sponsored by the community recreation center. Mark and Cathy are not opposed to having their children receive all of the recommended vaccinations for child illness, but they are opposed to receiving vaccine for themselves. For example, they have never received the flu vaccine. They believe that because they do not work in large corporate offices our travel on public transportation, they are not exposed to routine viruses. They also report that they have not had an upper respiratory infection or the flute in many years. As a result, Gretchen follows the beliefs of Mark and Cathy and does not receive protection vaccinations even though her oncology physicians recommend that she obtain the vaccines.

Over the past year, life in the household was stable and moving in a positive direction. Mark's accounting business increase profits, and he was able to hire another accountant to join his practice. Cathy started offering part-time daycare to two young children in their neighborhood. Gretchen was in remission from breast cancer, but still suffering from a weak immune system.

After the holidays, things began to change for the family. Cathy got sick with flu symptoms and an upper respiratory infection. After 2 weeks, she went to the neighborhood urgent care clinic. The doctor told her that she had bronchitis and possible pneumonia and gave her a prescription for antibiotics and cough medication. She recommended that Cathy get a chest x-ray to verify her diagnosis. Although the urgent care offered chest x-ray services, Cathy refused the extra services. She filled the prescription, but once she started feeling a little better she stopped taking the medication and did not take the whole prescription. Within a week, Gretchen developed a severe cough and was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia. Cathy was unable to continue the daycare services. Mark shortened his work hours to care for their children, all Cathy went to the hospital to care for her mom or about 2 weeks. When Gretchen was discharged, her physician reminded her to rest, avoid stress, and eat healthy foods because her immune system remains weak. A few days later, she developed a painful rash and was diagnosed with shingles. Gretchen died 1 week later from a secondary infection caused by the shingles rash.

1. How does this case study related to infectious disease?

2. What are some prevention strategies that could have been used?

3. Write two more paragraphs about this family using information about infectious diseases presented in this chapter.

4. As a health navigation professional, how would you assist this family?

Answer 1

1.This case study is related to infectious disease. The above mentioned family include 5 members and the elder member is suffering with breast cancer and a weak immunity as a result of multiple chemotherapy. The family members are not aware of the importance of vaccination .they have poorknowledge regarding infectious diseases.Eventhough they have health insurance they refused to take vaccinatons and thy suffered with infectious diseases.and the elder member died with secondary infection caused by shingel rashes

2.PREVENTION STRATEGIES

1.Get vaccinated

2.Hand hygiene

3.Stay whome when you are sick

4. Cover nose and mouthe with tissue while coughing and sneezing

5.Consult a doctor when feel sick and follow instructions

6.Take nutritious diet

7.Travel safely

3 .INFORMATIONS ABOUT INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Infectious diseases are diseases caused by  micrro organisms like bacterias viruses ,fungus or parasites,and can be spread easily. Peopleswithweak imuesystem ,peoples those who are not vacciated against commoifectiousdiseases ,peoples who ar tevelled risk areas,an health careworkers are morevulerable to infectious diseases

People should take immunisation ,and follow safe practices like hand hygiene,environmetal hygiene,avoid close cotact with affectedpeoples, to prevent disease spread

4. educate the family regardig

1. Common ifectious diseases

2. Importance of immunisation  

3. Preventive measures

4. Environmetal hygiene

5. Ensure the family to do routiene health check up