Public Health Awareness

NI

RSS
SSS
L
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
A
HOSPIT
At the end of this chapter, the learners are expected to: 1. Name some common
communicable and noncommunicable diseases 2. Identify the causes and
symptoms of these diseases 3. Enumerate and follow the preventive measures
for these diseases
GRANIH
HANDO

Dichte
Shar

OVERVIEW
S
PAG
1945
SORCHES
METEO
SESINNESS SES
SER
SSSSSSS
This chapter deals with some common communicable and noncommunicable
diseases and their causes, symptoms, and prevention.

The traditional model of a disease has three components: JO;,

, host, and environment. Disease occurs when an external agent meets a

susceptible host in an environment that lets the agent and host to interact.
ESS

SUPERS

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES Here all some common infections diseases:

erent that
A. Dengue

Dr. Jeremy Hawker and his coauthors (2007) mention in their book that dengue
fever is a febrile disease caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of
the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. Each serotype is sufficiently diff no
cross-protection and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes Chyne occur.
Dengue is transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosqui
d to humans by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that are found in the tropics.
 They tend to bite just after dawn and just before suns been discovered that they
can bite and spread infection at any time of day Incubation period is from 3 to
15 days.
set. So
it has
Signs and Symptoms of Dengue
Dengue is manifested by a sudden onset of high fever with severe headache
and muscle and joint pains, myalgia and arthralgia. It is also called breakbone fever or
bonecrusher disease. The patient may develop dengue rashes that are characteristically
bright red petechiae. These usually appear first on the lower limbs and chest and
spread to cover most of the body. The patient may suffer from gastritis, abdominal
pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Mild cases of dengue, where no rash is present, can be misdiagnosed as flu or

other viral infection. Patients can pass on the infection through mosquitoes or blood
products while they are still febrile.

Prevention of Dengue

The best way of prevention is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Take note
of the following tips:

1. Use mosquito nets and insect repellants. 2. Put screens on doors and windows. 3.
Avoid being outside at times of day when mosquitoes are most active. 4. Remove
stagnant water. Cover water containers and change water in flower
vases frequently

B. Malaria

Malaria is a vector-borne infectious disease that is widespread in tropical and

subtropical regions, including the Philippines. It is “commonly associated with
poverty but is also an effect of poverty and a major hindrance to economic
development” (Engelkirk and Burton 2007).
Malaria, according to Engelkirk and Burton (2007) is “one of the most common
infectious diseases and enormous public health problems.” It is caused by protozoan
parasites of the genus Plasmodium. The most serious forms of the disease are caused by
Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, but other related species can also infect
humans. This group of human-pathogenic Plasmodium species is usually referred to as
malaria parasites (Hawker et al. 2007). They are transmitted by female Anopheles
mosquitoes.

Signs and symptoms of Malaria

The parasites multiply within the red blood cells and cause anemia, high fever,
chills, nausea, headache, diarrhea, and in severe cases, coma and death.
Prevention of Malaria

Malaria can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites through the use of mosquito
nets and insect repellants, spraying insecticides, and draining standing water where
mosquitoes lay their eggs.
No vaccine is currently available for malaria. Preventive drugs must be taken
continuously to reduce the risk of infection.

C. Cholera

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water

contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period from
less than one day to five days and produces an enterotoxin that causes copious, painless
and watery diarrhea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment
is not promptly given. Vomiting also occurs in most patients (Hawker et al. 2007).

The incubation period of cholera according to Dr. Jeremy Hawker, et. al. (2007) is
from six (6) to forty-eight (48) hours, but cases are infected during the period of
diarrhea and up to seven (7) days after.

Signs and Symptoms of Cholera

Aside from diarrhea the patient may also experience nausea, vomiting, fever,
and muscle clamps.

Prevention of Cholera

Follow these precautions to reduce the risk of contracting cholera: 1.

Wash hand with soap and water frequently and throughly. 2. Drink safe
water only. 3. Eat food that is completely cooked. 4. Avoid raw food,
street food, and any food from suspicious sources. 5. Observe proper
 hygiene and sanitation at all times.

D. Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian influenza A viruses found

chiefly in birds, but infections can occur in humans. The risk is generally low to most
people because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However confirmed cases of
human infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza
infection in humans could have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or
contaminated surfaces. H5N1 is a particularly deadly stories of bird flu that can infect
humans and other mammals.
Signs and Symptoms of Avian Influenza

Symptoms on avian flu in humans include fever, cough, sore throat, and
muscle aches. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting, pneumonia,
diarrhea, and others severe and life-threatening complications, depending on
which Virus caused the infection.

Prevention of Avian Influenza

Consider these precautionary measures to prevent infection: 1. Wash hands or

use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to avoid infection of all kinds. 2. Stay away
from farm and live animal markets. 3. Cover mouth and nose when coughing or
sneezing. 4. Cook chicken throughly. Do not eat raw eggs. 5. Avoid cross-
contamination. Do not use the same utensils for both raw meat
and other foods.

E. H1N1

H1N1 is a flu virus that is also known as the swine flu. Scientists call the
H1N1 virus a "quadruple reassortant” virus because it contains two genes found in
flu viruses which circulate among pigs and two genes found in flu viruses which
circulate among birds. The H1N1 virus is passed from person to person just like
other flu strains. But not through eating pork.
What sets the H1N1 virus apart from other seasonal flu viruses is that
studies have shown it to cause more severe symptoms in people younger than 25,
while people older than 60 years of age have some immunity against it.
Most cases of flu caused by H1N1 are mild. However there have been cases
or severe complications in people with other medical conditions such as pregnancy,
diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and asthma.
H1N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus and is the most common form
that infects people. Certain strains of H1N1 are endemic in the human population
and cause periodic flu outbreaks. It was an H1N1 flu virus that was responsible for
the 1918 flu pandemic, which killed 50 to 100 million people at the end of World War
I and into 1919.

Here are important facts about swine flu 1. Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by
influenza viruses that infect the
respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions, barking cough, decreased
appetite, and listless behavior.
2. Swine flu viruses may mutate (change), so that they are easily transmissible
among
humans. 3. The 2009 swine flu outbreak was due to the H1N1 virus and
was first observed in
Mexico. 4. Two antiviral agents, zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir
(Tamiflu), have been
reported to help prevent or reduce the effects of swine flu if taken within 48
hours of the onset of symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Swine Flu

Symptoms of swine flu to humans are similar to these ordinary flu:

fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and
fatigue. Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea.

Prevention of H1N1

The best way to avoid influenza infections is through

vaccination.
Almost all vaccines have some side effects. Common side effects of
H1N1 vaccines are typical of flu vaccines as follows:

1. Flu shot: Soreness, redness, minor swelling at the shot site, muscle aches,
low
grade fever, and nausea that do not usually last for more than 24 hours 2.
 Nasal spray: runny nose, low-grade fever, vomiting, headache, wheezing,
cough,
and sore throat The nasal spray vaccine contains live virus that has been
altered to hinder its ability to replicate in human tissue. People with a suppressed
immune system should not get vaccinated with the nasal spray. Also most
vaccines that contain flu viral particles are cultivated in eggs, so individuals with
an allergy to eggs should not get the vaccine unless tested and advised by their
doctor that they are cleared to obtain it.

G. Typhoid fever

Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is an acute illness most often caused by the
Salmonella typhi bacteria or the Salmonella paratyphi, a related bacterium that
usually leads to a less severe infection. The bacteria are deposited in water or food
by a human carrier and are then spread to other people in the area (Hawker et al.
2007).
Typhoid is common worldwide and has received various names such as
gastric fever, abdominal typhus, infantile remittant fever, slow fever, nervous
fever, or pythogenic fever. The name typhoid means “resembling typhus” and
comes from the neuropsychiatric symptoms common to typhoid and typhus.
Despite this similarity of their names, typhoid fever and typhus are distinct
diseases and are caused by different species of bacteria.
Diagnosis of typhoid fever is made when the Salmonella bacteria is detected
with a stool culture. Typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics. Approximately 3 to 5
percent of patients become carriers of the bacteria once it becomes an acute illness.
Patients with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply
through stool, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. Contamination of the
water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Some patients suffer a very mild illness
that goes unrecognized. These patients can become long-term carriers of the bacteria.
The bacterium multiplies in the gallbladder, bile ducts, or liver and passes into the bowel.
The bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage (Hawker et al. 2007).

Signs and Symptoms of Typhoid Fever

People with typhoid fever usually have a sustained high fever. Chest congestion
develops in many patients, and abdominal pain and discomfort are common. The fever
becomes constant. Other symptoms include four appetite, headache, body aches, and
 lethargy. Improvement occurs in the third and fourth week for those who do not
experience complications. About 10 percent of patients have recurrent symptoms (relapse)
after feeling better for one to two weeks. Relapses are actually more common in
individuals treated with antibiotics.

Prevention and Treatment of Typhoid Fever

Typhoid fever can be prevented by drinking safe water only, improving

sanitation, and eating well-cooked found while it is still hot. Washing the hands often and
keeping the surroundings clean will help stop the spread of infection.

Two vaccines, one is injected and the other is given orally, are available, and
recommended especially to people in high-risk areas. Typhoid fever is treated with
antibiotics that kill the Salmonella bacteria. Prior to the use of antibiotics, the fatality rate
was 20 percent. Death occurred from overwhelming infection, pneumonia, intestinal
bleeding, or intestinal perforation. With antibiotics and supportive care, mortality has been
reduced to 1 to 2 percent. With appropriate antibiotic therapy, there is usually improvement
within one to two days and recovery within seven to ten days.
The carrier state, which occurs in 3 to 5 percent of those infected, can be treated
with prolonged antibiotics. Often, removal of the gallbladder, the site of chronic infection,
will cure the carrier state.