Final answer:
A sprained ankle is not considered a nationally notifiable infectious disease. These are diseases that are tracked and reported to public health authorities like the CDC. Communicable diseases can be spread from person to person, while noncommunicable diseases cannot.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nationally notifiable infectious disease is a condition that is required to be reported to national public health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These diseases are tracked through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). Notifiable diseases are prioritized based on factors such as the number of people affected, the severity of the illness, and the availability of treatments or preventive measures. Examples include HIV infection, measles, and West Nile virus infections.
By contrast, a sprained ankle would not be considered a nationally notifiable infectious disease as it is a noncommunicable condition resulting from physical injury rather than an infection that can be spread from person to person.
Communicable diseases are those which can be transmitted from one individual to another, such as pertussis. Noncommunicable infectious diseases, like tetanus, do not spread from person to person but can still be caused by pathogens. Iatrogenic diseases are those that result from medical procedures or treatments, while nosocomial diseases are infections acquired while in a hospital or healthcare setting.
An epidemic that occurs on a worldwide scale is called a pandemic. The geography of disease, the role of public health organizations, and different types of infectious diseases are critical components in understanding the global health landscape.