Highly communicable disease characterized by abrupt onset with fever, chilly sensation or chills, aches or pain in the back and limbs with prostrations, respiratory symptoms include coryza, sore throat and cough
In the Philippines, influenza ranks 6th in the leading cause of morbidity (DOH, 2014)
Influenza virus types
A
B
C
Influenza A
Only known to cause flu pandemics
Influenza A & B
Cause seasonal flus
Influenza D
Affects cattles
Mode of transmission of influenza
Direct contact, through droplet infection, or by articles freshly soiled with discharge of nose and throat of infected person, airborne
Signs and symptoms of influenza
Fever
Chills
Headaches
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Prevention and control of influenza
Observe proper personal hygiene
Increase your body's resistance
Practice social distancing
Active immunization with influenza vaccine provided the prevailing strain of virus matches the antigenic component of the vaccine
Treatment of influenza
Self-limiting, take antivirals drugs if prescribed by a doctor
"Bird Flu" or Avian Influenza
Influenza is recognized both as emerging and re-emerging viral infection and is described as an unvarying disease caused by a varying virus. It is an infectious disease of birds ranging from mild to severe form of illness. All birds are thought to be susceptible to infection with avianinfluenza, though some species are more resistant than others. Some forms of bird flu infections can cause illness to humans.
Causative agent of Avian Influenza
Influenza virus A (H5N1)
Mode of transmission of Avian Influenza
Through inhalation of/or contamination with infected discharges of feces of infected bird/chicken
Signs and symptoms of Avian Influenza in humans
Fever or Flu
Body weakness and muscle pain
Cough
Sore throat
May have difficulty in breathing in severe cases
Sore eyes and/or diarrhea in some persons
Control measures for Avian Influenza in birds
Rapid destruction, proper disposal of carcasses and rigorous disinfection of farms
Restriction on the movement of live poultry
Preventive measures for Avian Influenza in humans
Wash hands thoroughly
Cook poultry produce thoroughly
Yearly vaccination of poultry workers with regular or periodic direct contact with poultry
Treatment of Avian Influenza
Self-limiting, antiviral drugs such as osetalmivir stop the progress of the illness if given within the first 2 days from the onset of fever
SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
It is a newly recognized form of a typical pneumonia that has been described in patients in Asia, North America and Europe. The earliest known cases were identified in Guangdong Province, China in November 2002. The WHO issued the global alert on the outbreak in March 2003 and instituted worldwide surveillance.
Causative agent of SARS
SARS Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)
Mode of transmission of SARS
Spread through close person-to-person contact (droplet spread)
Signs and symptoms of SARS
Prodormal phase: Body temperature of more than 38 C sometimes with chill, malaise and headache (during this stage the infectivity is none or low)
Respiratory phase: Within 2 to 7 days the illness may proceed to this stage characterized by dry nonproductive cough with or without respiratory distress, common findings include hypoxia, dullness on percussion and decreased breath sounds on physical examination (infectivity is highest during this phase)
Prevention and control measures for SARS
Establishment of triage
Identification of patients
Isolation of susceptible probable case
Tracing and monitoring of close contact
Treatment of SARS
No confirmed treatment that works for every person who has SARS. Antiviral medications and steroids are sometimes given to reduce lung swelling, but aren't effective for everyone.
MERS (MiddleEast RespiratorySyndrome)
First identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Zoonotic virus, which means it is a virus that is transmitted between animals and people. The animals are Camels.
Causative agent of MERS
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
Mode of transmission of MERS
Spread through close person-to-person contact (droplet spread)
Contact with infected body fluids, respiratory secretions, raw or undercookedcamel meat, and unpasteurized dairy products of camels may be other sources of transmission to humans
Reservoir of MERS
Dromedary camels
Signs and symptoms of MERS
Fever, cough, shortness of breath
Some people also had GI symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea/vomiting
Prevention and control measures for MERS
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid personal contact, such as kissing, or sharing cups or eating utensils, with sick people
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
Treatment of MERS
No vaccine or specific treatment is currently available. There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for MERS-CoV infection. Treatment is supportive and based on the patient's clinical condition.
2019-nCoV (COVID-19)
The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person-to-person. This virus was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The new virus, Wuhanvirus (also termed 2019-nCoV), is an RNA virus related to both MERS and SARS coronaviruses.
Causative agent of COVID-19
2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Mode of transmission of COVID-19
Limited person-to-person spread among close contacts with infected individual
Signs and symptoms of COVID-19
Fever
Flu like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and headaches
Shortness of breath
Prevention and control measures for COVID-19
Wash hands with soap often for at least 20 seconds / use sanitizers or alcohol if soap and water are not available
Use mask properly
Have temperature checked regularly
Avoid crowded areas and close contact with anyone who has fever and cough
Never touch your face with unclean hands
Treatment of COVID-19
Remdesivir
Convalescent plasma therapy
Breathing support / mechanical ventilation
Steroids to reduce swelling / inflammation
Vaccines: BioNTech, CoronoVac vaccine, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V
Pneumonia
An acute infectious disease of the lungs usually caused by the pneumococcus resulting in the consolidation of one or more lobes of either one or both lungs.
In the Philippines, pneumonia ranks 7th in the leading cause of morbidity (DOH, 2020) and ranks 5th in the leading cause of mortality (DOH, 2023)
Causative agents of pneumonia
Majority of cases due to Streptococcus pneumoniae (Diplococcus pneumonia)