Infectious diseases are illnesses caused by germs such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Tips & Links
Infectious disease can enter the body, multiply, and potentially lead to infection. Some infectious diseases are contagious, meaning they can spread from one person to another. People with existing health conditions, autoimmune diseases, or seniors and young children, may be more susceptible to these infections.
Learn More
- Be aware that when you are admitted to a hospital or emergency department, they may ask if you have had or been exposed to certain infectious diseases.
- Learn about Covid-19 and Hepatitis from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in BC.
- Learn about different types of infectious diseases, symptoms, treatment, and possible long-term side effects from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in BC.
- Learn about Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) – a hospital-born infection – from Healthlink BC.
- Learn about hepatitis, risks, causes, symptoms and long-term side effects from the Government of BC.
- Learn about Influenza symptoms and prevention and the recommended vaccines to do every year from Healthlink BC.
Things You Can Do
- Reduce your exposure to infectious diseases by practicing good hand-washing, avoiding people showing signs of infectious respiratory diseases, and wear a mask in crowded public places. Know your rights and make informed choices.
- Ask your physician and specialist about any medications and or treatments that may reduce your immune system and make you more susceptible to infectious diseases, so you can make informed choices.
- Learn about hand-washing techniques from the Centre for Disease Control in BC.
- Learn about immunization from the Centre for Disease Control in BC.
- Be aware of the long-term effects of Covid-19 and other conditions. Explore how infectious diseases can impact people living with chronic health conditions from the research of CDC-BC.
- Discuss with your care partners and caregivers your choices around limiting exposure to people who are unwell, wearing of protective measures (such as masks), and need for good hand-washing. If wanted, add your guidelines to your personal care plan.
- Learn about about the different recommended vaccines if travelling outside of BC from Healthlink BC.
Update your vaccination record, exposure to infectious diseases (including symptoms and any long-term effects) in your Health Profile fillable PDF tool found in My Health Information.
Tools & Video
Categories: My Health Information, Senior
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