Incarnate Word Academy High School level students learned about diseases such as Ebola on Tuesday, Oct. 14, in Jay Vasquez's anatomy classes. Rebecca Smith, program assistant for the Health Careers Program with the Texas A&M Health Science Center, visited the high school to talk to students about symptoms, treatments and prevention of diseases.
During the presentation, Smith discussed the difference between chronic and communicable diseases as well as common myths and facts about diseases.
"With the recent first Ebola diagnosis in the U.S. happening in Texas, it seems even more timely to educate young people about how these types of diseases are spread, how to prevent them and how to protect themselves and others," Smith said.
Smith also informed students about various professions within the medical field.
When most people think about health care professionals, they only think about physicians, nurses and pharmacists, but there are many other very important, rewarding careers---such as epidemiologists, public health advisors, emergency response specialists, hematologists and behavioral and health scientists.
After the presentation, students participated in a simulated disease transmission lab. This hands-on activity showed students how diseases can be transmitted.
Students simulated the transmission of a communicable disease, identified the original disease carrier within the class, and traced the route of transmission.
"They will be able to analyze and interpret data as well as obtain, evaluate, and communicate information," Smith said.