Communicablediseases are often the leading causes of all illness in the country today. Most often they afflict the most vulnerable, the young and the elderly. They have numerous economic psychological, disabling and distinguishing effects to the emergence of newly discovered diseases and the re-emergence of old ones.
Communicable diseases
Readily transferred from one infected person to a susceptible and uninfected person and maybe caused by microorganisms
Types of Microorganism causing infections
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Parasites
Chain of Infection
1. Etiologic agent (microorganism)
2. Reservoir (host)
3. Portal of exit from reservoir
4. Mode of Transmission
5. Portal of entry to the susceptible host
6. Susceptible host
Etiologic agent
Theextenttowhichanymicroorganismsiscapableof producing an infectious process depends on the number of microorganism (pathogenicity), the ability of the microorganisms to enter the body, the susceptibility of the host, and the ability of microorganisms to live in the host's body
Reservoir
Therearemany reservoirs, or sourceofmicroorganisms. Common sources are the other humans, the client's own microorganism, plants, animals, or the general environment. People are the most common source of infection for others and for themselves.
Methods of transmission
Direct transmission
Indirect transmission (vehicle borne or vector borne)
Direct transmission
Immediateanddirecttransferofmicroorganismsfrompersontoperson through touching, biting, kissing, or sexual intercourse
Vehicle borne transmission
Avehicleisanysubstancethatservesasanintermediatemeans to transport and introducing infectious agent into susceptible host through a suitable portal of entry
Vector-borne transmission
Avectorisananimalorflyingorcrawlinginsectsthatservesasanintermediatemeans of transportingtheinfectiousagents. Transmission may occur by injecting salivary gland fluid during biting or by depositing feces or other materials on the skin through the bite wound or a traumatized skin area.
Portal of entry to the susceptible host
Beforeapersoncanbecameinfected, microorganismsmust enter thebody. The skin is a barrier to infectious agents; however, any break in the skin can readily serve as portal of entry. Often, microorganisms enter the body of the host by the same route they used to leave the source.
Susceptible host
Asusceptiblehostisanypersonwhoisatriskfor infection. A compromised host is a person "at increased risk", an individual who for one or more reasons is more likely than others to acquire an infection. Impairment of the body's natural defenses and a number of other factors can affect susceptibility to infection.
Breaking the chain of infection
1. Increasing host resistance
2. Destruction of the source and the reservoir
3. Destruction of the agent in the environment
4. Avoidance of exposure
Immunization
The process of introducing vaccine into the body to produce antibodies that will protect our body against a specific infectious agent
Immunization against communicable disease
For infants
Following exposure
For all persons in endemic areas
For person subject to unusual risk
For known cases
Vaccine available for routine immunization
DPT (Diptheria, pertussis and tetanus) vaccine
OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine)
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine
Hib (H.influenza type B) polysaccharide vaccine
Hepatitis B vaccine
BCG (Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin)
CDT (Cholera, Dysentery, Typhoid)
Chemoprophylaxis
Administration of drugs to prevent occurrence of infection
Mechanical Prophylaxis
Placing mechanical barriers between the sources of agent and host such as use of mosquito nets, masks or gloves
The most important procedure for preventing the transfer of microorganisms and the therefore nosocomial infection is correct and frequent handwashing.
PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) are used for protection against diseases
Influenza
Highly communicable disease characterized by abrupt onset with fever which last 1 to 6 days, 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)
Causative agents of Influenza
Influenza virus A,B, C
Mode of transmission of Influenza
Direct contact
Droplet infection
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 prevailing strain of virus matches antigenic component of vaccine
Treatment of Influenza
Self-limiting
Take antivirals drugs, if prescribed by a doctor
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
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 avian influenza, 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
Thru inhalation of/or contamination with infected discharges of feces of infected bird/chicken
Signs and symptoms of Avian Influenza
Fever
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 of 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)
A newly recognized form of a typical pneumonia that had been described in patient 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 SARS outbreak on 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
Respiratory phase: Within 2 to 7 days the illness may proceed to this stage characterized by dry nonproductive cough with or without respir