TITLE: The Prevention Of Cold and Flu Epidemics In Schools
STUDENT RESEARCHERS: Chris Chugden, Amber French, James Rees,
and Whitney Stoppel
SCHOOL: Mandeville Middle School
Mandeville, Louisiana
GRADE: 6
TEACHER: John I. Swang, Ph.D.
I. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
We would like to do a scientific research project on how to
prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as the common
cold and flu. We are concerned about this problem in our
community's schools.
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
Epidemics
Epidemiology is the medical science that includes the
investigation of the incidents and spread of diseases in large
areas with high population and the conditions that influence the
harmfulness of infectious diseases. Epidemiologists find new
ways of disease prevention every day. Many diseases such as the
common cold and influenza (flu) are the most contagious to
everybody. Many people in the country get sick every day
causing absenteeism in schools and businesses everywhere.
Lately, scientists have been studying very fatal, noninfectious
diseases such as AIDS and Ebola. Epidemics can be prevented
before the cause of the disease is found. This is done through
public health measures. Telling people about the causes and the
prevention of diseases is crucial in the control of epidemics.
The surgical mask is the device which can be used to prevent the
spread of germs that cause diseases such as the common cold and
flu.
Public Health
Public health organizations help keep the city or surrounding
areas healthy. The most important things to most of these
organizations are germ-free food and water, effective sanitation
systems, control and prevention of diseases, help to those who
need health care, and laws that contribute to health. The basic
science for evaluating health problems is epidemiology.
In the seventeenth century, William Petty and John Graunt
(physicians) developed a numerical method that might give them
health information on large populations of people. To do this,
they needed accurate data on the population, trade, manufacture,
education, and diseases. This marked the beginning of the
quantitative studies of health and populations.
There are many organizations that help control diseases.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta,
Georgia, USA conducts research on the occurrences of diseases
and develops methods to control them and prevent them. It
provides public heath information and aids in the training of
heath workers. It has nine major departments including the
Center for Environmental Health and Injury Control and the
Epidemiology Program Office.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is the
federal government department that specializes in health care
and social service programs. This service has two predecessors,
the Federal Security Agency, created in 1939, and the Department
of Health, Education, and Welfare, created in 1953. The
Department of Health and Human Services took over both of them.
The United States Food and Drug Administration controls the
freshness, purity, and additives of foods and drugs sold to
people. This is done with laws and regulations.
The United States Public Health Service is the main health
service of the federal government and is one of the largest and
most varied organizations. It was founded in 1912, after being
the Marine Hospital Service (1798-1902) providing medical
service to seamen. It gradually grew to include the supervision
of quarantine laws, medical inspection of immigrants, and
general investigations of public health. It is now operating as
a division of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1942 to help
ensure pure water supplies, sanitation systems, health
education, health planning assistance, and health worker
training to all the nations of the world. It deals with
international health issues.
Common Cold
The common cold is a viral infection of the respiratory tract.
The common cold is caused by many types of viruses. It usually
occurs in the nose, the throat, and the lungs. Some of the
symptoms are nasal congestion, coughing, sore throat, and fever.
No cure has yet been found. In the early 1950's, various asthma
drugs were thought to help. Many physicians believe this is not
true if the illness really is the virus-caused cold. Bed rest
is commonly recommended by doctors. Another thing that might
help are taking medicines that focus on the symptoms of the
common cold.
Recent studies show that schools and businesses have had high
rates of absenteeism because of the common cold. The average
person gets two to three colds each year. The labor force has
over 150 million people absent each year! This cost lots of
money for the missed hours.
Anyone is susceptible to the common cold. Children and adults
who are around other children, such as students and teachers,
seem to be the most likely to get colds. Cold viruses are in
lots of places. Common colds spread when people cough or
sneeze. Tiny moist droplets go in the air and are breathed in
by others. The germs then get inside the human's cells lining
the respiratory tract.
So far, scientists have found many ways to prevent the spread of
colds but the virus is still active. Some ways that students
can help protect themselves from getting colds or the flu are
washing their hands, keeping things like pencils and fingers out
of their nose and mouth, not sharing eating utensils, not
drinking out of the same can, cup, or bottle as someone else,
covering their nose and mouth with their arm when they cough or
sneeze, ventilating their classroom, staying away from sick
students, and staying home when they are sick so no one else
will get their illness.
Influenza
Influenza is a highly contagious illness of the respiratory
tract. It is caused by the influenza virus. If you have a
fever, coughing, and painful muscle aches, you might be getting
influenza. Influenza spreads very fast, attacking many people
at a time. This illness lasts anywhere from three to seven
days. It starts abruptly, with a 39.4 degrees Celsius (103
degrees Fahrenheit) fever in adults and higher in children. You
also may be very weak. Plenty of fluids and bed rest may help
you get better.
Influenza is very similar to the common cold. Influenza is very
bad and sometimes can be fatal. Colds and the flu can be caused
by direct contact such as being in places like movie theaters,
theme parks, and other crowded areas. When diseases like the
flu are active (flu season) there are many absences in
factories, businesses, and schools.
Viruses and Bacteria
Little tiny parasites, that include RNA or DNA and a
safeguarding coat of protein, make up viruses. They are the
tiniest living thing that can replicate. Viruses differ in size
and shape. The three most common viral structures that exist
are equilateral triangles, rod-shaped, and tadpole-shaped.
Viruses spread from person to person. When people cough and
sneeze, they let out little tiny moisture droplets. These
droplets contain viruses or bacteria. Other people breathe in
these droplets and may become sick with the virus. Epidemics
caused by viruses come in waves and attack thousands of people.
Viruses are blamed for the common cold and influenza.
Viruses go everywhere and invade cells. If a virus gets in your
body, it will use the cells dividing abilities to reproduce.
Eventually the virus reproduces enough to make you sick.
Viruses cause many diseases including chicken pox, flu, colds,
measles, and AIDS. Viruses are considered cell "hijackers" that
kind of conquer the cells. Sometimes a virus can reproduce
enough to cause a disease like pneumonia. Those diseases can be
fatal.
Bacteria can also make you sick. Bacteria are everywhere and on
everything. Even some foods contain lots of bacteria. Bacteria
and viruses can attack at any moment and can take over cells
very easily. Antibiotics are made to prevent viruses and
bacteria from reproducing. These are used when cells can't
fight off the infection. Today, antibiotics are used very often
to treat diseases.
III. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
__________. (1995). "Epidemiology, Viruses, Common Cold,
Influenza." World Book Multimedia Encyclopedia. Chicago:
World Book, Inc.
__________. (1994). "Epidemiology." Microsoft Encarta 1995.
New York: Microsoft Corporation.
__________. (1995). "Influenza, Viruses, Spread, Common Cold."
Infopedia Multimedia Encyclopedia. New York: Future Vision
Multimedia, Inc.
__________. (1993). "Epidemiology, Disease, Public health,
Influenza." The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. New York:
Grolier, Inc.
__________. (1993). "Viruses, Bacteria." The Dorling
Kindersley Science Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley,
Inc.
_________. (1993). "Public Health." The New American Desk
Encyclopedia. New York: Concord Reference Books, Inc.. pp.
1004.
_________. (1994). "Common Cold, Influenza." The Concise
Columbia Encyclopedia. New York: Columbia University Press.
pp. ___.
_________. (1992). "Surgical Masks." The American Heritage
Talking Dictionary. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
_________. (1994). "Epidemiology, Public Health." Microsoft
Encarta '95. New York Microsoft Corporation.
_________. (1995). "Epidemics, Viruses, Influenza." The World
Book Multimedia Encyclopedia - Blue. Chicago: World Book, Inc..
_________. (1995). "Common Cold, Influenza, Viruses."
Infopedia Multimedia Encyclopedia. New York: Future Version
Multimedia Computer, Inc..
IV. HYPOTHESIS:
Our hypothesis states that surgical masks will significantly
reduce the spread of microorganisms from the nose and mouth to
the medium of a petri dish.
V. METHODOLOGY:
First, we identified a problem within our community which was
viral epidemics in schools during the cold and flu season. Then
we developed a statement of purpose. Next, we wrote a review of
literature about epidemiology, viruses, the common cold,
influenza, diseases, and public health. Then we interviewed
numerous community health professionals and school officials
about viral epidemics in schools (the St. Tammany Parish School
Board School nurses, the St. Tammany Parish School Board Census
Department, the St. Tammany Parish Health Unit, and the St.
Tammany Parish Hospital Health Education Program). From the
information we gathered, we developed our hypothesis.
We then developed a methodology to test our hypothesis. Next,
we gathered the materials needed to conduct our research. Then
we began our experimentation. First, we opened a bag of sterile
petri dishes and prepared the Knox plain gelatin which would be
used as the growing medium. We laid down twelve petri dishes on
a table. We filled the petri dishes with 62.5 milliliters of
Knox plain gelatin and immediately covered them. The first 4
petri dishes were used as controls. They were sealed and
received no treatment of any kind. The second set of 4 petri
dishes were opened and coughed on three times, from a distance
of 30 centimeters, with a surgical mask on. The last set of 4
petri dishes were coughed on three times, from a distance of 30
centimeters, without a surgical mask on. Everyday, for six
days, we observed the dishes to check for microorganisms growing
on the medium of the dishes. We recorded our data on our data
collection form.
After our observations, we analyzed our data using simple
statistics, graphs, and charts. Then we wrote a summary and
conclusion where we rejected or accepted our hypothesis.
Finally, we applied our findings to our school's environment.
VI. VARIABLES:
Our controlled variables included the type and size of petri
dishes, the type of the surgical masks, the amount of coughs on
the petri dishes, the surroundings where the petri dishes were
put, the time period for observation, and the type and amount of
gelatin used. Our manipulated variable was coughing on the two
sets of experimental dishes with and without the surgical masks
on. Our responding variable was the growth amount of
microorganisms on the medium of the petri dishes.
One set (N=4) of petri dishes served as our control. A second
set (N=4) of petri dishes served as our Experimental Group 1.
We coughed on this set with surgical masks on. A third set of
petri dishes (N=4) served as our Experimental Group 2. We
coughed on this set without surgical masks on.
VII. LIST OF MATERIALS:
Our list of materials included sterile plastic petri dishes
(with a lid), surgical masks, Knox plain gelatin, and a data
collection form.
VIII. DATA COLLECTION FORM:
The Total Number Of Colonies Of Microorganisms On All The Petri
Dishes
Petri Dishes | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3| Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 |
All: Controls | | | | | | |
(N=4) | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 14 | 16 |
All: Mask On | | | | | | |
(N=4) | 10 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 21 |
All: Mask Off | | | | | | |
(N=4) | 20 | 58 | 94 | 117 | 130 | 137 |
The Average Diameter (mm) Of The Colonies On All The Petri
Dishes
Petri Dishes | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3| Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 |
All: Controls | | | | | | |
(N=4) | 0 | .75 | 3.50 | 5.50 | 5.75 | 6.25 |
All: Mask On | | | | | | |
(N=4) | .75 | 2.00 | 2.25 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 6.50 |
All: Mask Off | | | | | | |
(N=4) | 4.00 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 6.25 | 7.00 | 8.00 |
IX. ANALYSIS OF DATA:
On day 6, the final day of our experiment, there was a total of
16 colonies of microorganisms growing on all 4 of the control
petri dishes. There was a total of 21 colonies of
microorganisms growing on all 4 of the Experimental Group 1
petri dishes which we coughed on with the surgical masks on.
There was a total of 137 colonies of microorganisms growing on
all 4 of the Experimental Group 2 petri dishes which we coughed
on without a surgical mask on.
On day 6, the final day of our experiment, the colonies of
microorganisms growing on all 4 of the control petri dishes had
an average diameter of 6.25 mm. The colonies of microorganisms
growing on all 4 of the Experimental Group 1 petri dishes had an
average diameter of 6.50 mm. The colonies of microorganisms
growing on all 4 of the Experimental Group 2 petri dishes had an
average diameter of 8.00 mm.
X. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Our data show that surgical masks will significantly reduce the
number and growth of microorganisms deposited on the petri
dishes when they are coughed on. Therefore, we accept our
hypothesis which states that the surgical masks will
significantly reduce the spread of microorganisms from the nose
and mouth to the medium of a petri dish.
This basically demonstrated what it would be like to cough on
someone accidentally. The petri dish could be considered
another person's face. When the surgical mask is on, the
probability that the person which was coughed on will be
infected with common cold and flu germs is greatly reduced.
XI. APPLICATION:
Now we know that a surgical mask will reduce the spread and
growth of microorganisms on a petri dish. We can apply this to
our school environment by starting a program that would get
students in schools to wear a surgical masks during the cold and
flu season.
We will design and distribute fashionable health masks with
widely known logos on them such as Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Reebok,
Polo Sport, Adidas, etc or other works of art. This will
hopefully motivate students to wear the surgical masks during
the cold and flu season.
We will also produce an instructional video which will inform
students about the different ways that they can help protect
themselves from getting colds and the flu such as washing their
hands, keeping thing like pencils and fingers out of their nose
and mouth, not sharing eating utensils, not drinking out of the
same can, cup, or bottle, covering their nose and mouth with
your hands or their arm when they cough or sneeze, ventilating
their classroom, staying away from sick students, and staying
home when they are sick so no one else will get infected from
their disease.
© 2007 John I. Swang, Ph.D.