CD (a to z)

• 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 agent of influenza

  Influenza virus A,B, C
• Mode of transmission of influenza


  By 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 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
  • 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 oseltamivir, 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 SARS 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

  • Prodromal 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 (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome)


  First identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Zoonotic virus, which means it is a virus that is transmitted between animals and people
• 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 undercooked camel 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. Treatment is supportive and based on the patient's clinical condition.
• 2019-nCoV


  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.
• Causative agent of 2019-nCoV

  2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
• Mode of transmission of 2019-nCoV

  Limited person-to-person spread among close contacts with infected individual
• Signs and symptoms of 2019-nCoV

  • Fever
  • Flu like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and headaches
  • Shortness of breath
• Prevention and control measures for 2019-nCoV


  • 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 2019-nCoV


  • There is no specific antiviral treatment. People can seek medical care to help relieve symptoms.
  • Remdesivir
  • Convalescent plasma therapy
  • Breathing support / mechanical ventilation
  • Steroids to reduce swelling / inflammation
• Vaccines for 2019-nCoV: 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

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae (Diplococcus pneumonia)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Viruses (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)