CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
causing diseases or infections.
Identification of Diseases
Communicable Period: a time during which the infectious agent may
be transferred directly or indirectly from an infected person to
another person, or from an infected animal to man.
Contact: any person or animal known to have been in such
association with an infected person or animal having the opportunity
of acquiring the infection.
Pathogens: Microbes that cause disease.
Non-Pathogens: Microbes that do not cause disease.
Disease: any harmful deviation from the normal structural/ functional
state of an organism.
Pathology: the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the
nature of disease and its causes, processes, development and
consequences.
Epidemiology: the branch of science dealing with the spread control
of diseases, viruses, concepts, etc., throughout populations or
systems.
Pathologist: a physician who has specialized in pathology.
Epidemiologist: studies the factors that determine the frequency,
distribution, and determinants of diseases in human populations.
They also develop ways to prevent, control, or eradicate diseases in
populations.
Pathogenic: the ability to causes disease.
Pathogenesis: the steps or mechanisms involved in the
development of a disease.
Theories of Epidemic
Classification
Infectious Diseases: an illness due to pathogen or its toxic product
arises through transmission from an infected
person/animal/contaminated inanimate object to a susceptible host.
Communicable Diseases: if the infectious disease is transmissible
from one human to another.
Contagious Diseases: communicable disease that is easily
transmitted from one person to another.
Zoonotic Diseases/Zoonoses: Infectious diseases that humans
acquire from animal.
Sporadic Disease: a disease that occurs only occasionally
(sporadically) within the population of a particular geographic area
Endemic Disease: a disease that is always present within that
population.
Epidemic Diseases: are diseases that occur in a greater than usual
number of cases in a particular region, and usually occur within a
relatively short period of time.
Pandemic Disease: a disease that is occurring in epidemic
proportions in many countries simultaneously—sometimes
worldwide.
Sources, Carrier & Characteristics
Causative Agent
 Causative agents in infection are pathogens.
 Pathogens are micro-organisms that are capable of
o Bacteria
o Viruses
o Fungi
o Parasites
Types of Carrier
1. Passive Carrier carry the pathogens w/out ever having a disease
2. Incubatory Carrier capable of transmitting a pathogen during incubation period.
3. Convalescent Carrier can harbor and transmit pathogen while recovering
4. Active Carrier completely recovered from the disease but
continue to harbor the pathogen
Transmission, Development & Control
Direct Contact: Infectious diseases are often spread through direct
contact.
1. Person-to-person contact
o transmission occurs when an infected person
touches or exchanges body fluids with someone else
o happen before an infected person is aware of the
illness.
o sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be
transmitted this way.
2. Droplet spread
o the spray of droplets during coughing and sneezing
can spread an infectious disease even when you
speak.
o since droplets fall to the ground within a few feet, this
type of transmission requires close proximity.
Indirect Contact
1. Airborne Transmission
2. Contaminated Objects
3. Food and drinking water
4. Animal-to-person contact
5. Airborne Reservoir
6. Insect bites (vector-borne disease)
7. Environmental Reservoir
The development of infectious diseases is composed of 6 steps:
1. Source of microorganism
2. Escape of microorganism from the source
3. Spread of microorganism to a new person
4. Entry of microorganism into the person
5. Infection (survival and growth of microorganism)
6. Damage to the body
o The prevention and control of epidemics is a never-ending
community goal.
To be effective, it must include measures to:
o Increase host resistance through the development and
administration of vaccines that induce active immunity and
maintain it in susceptible persons
o Ensure that persons who have been exposed to a pathogen
are protected against the disease (e.g., through injections of
gamma globulin or antisera)
o Segregate, isolate, and treat those who have contracted a
contagious infection to prevent the spread of pathogens to
others
o Identify and control potential reservoirs and vectors of
infectious diseases; this control may be accomplished by
prohibiting healthy carriers from working in restaurants,
hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions where they
may transfer pathogens to susceptible people and by
instituting effective sanitation measures to control diseases
transmitted through water supplies, sewage, and food
(including milk)
 VIRUS
DISEASES DESCRIPTION SYMPTOMS CONTROL MEASURE

A highly contagious disease caused by - Fever o A vaccine is available that protects

the varicella zoster virus (VZV). It can - Loss of appetite children against chickenpox. Routine
Chickenpox cause an itchy, blister-like rash. The rash - Headache o vaccination is recommended by the U.S.
appears first on the chest, back, and face, - Tiredness and being Centers for Disease Control and
and then spreads over the entire body. unwell Prevention (CDC).

- Fever
Influenza or Flu is a contagious
- Cough
respiratory illness caused by influenza
- Sore Throat o There are influenza antiviral drugs that
viruses that infect the nose, throat, and
Flu - Runny Nose can be used to treat flu illness and
sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to
- Headache having a rest.
severe illness, and at times can lead to
- Bodyache
death.
- Fatigue

A virus that affects certain types of T cells

of the immune system. Progression of the
-Fever
infection decreases the body's ability to o The main treatment for HIV is
Human - Swollen Glands
fight disease and infection, leading to antiretroviral therapy, a combination of
immunodeficiency - Rash
acquired immune deficiency syndrome daily medications that stop the virus
virus (HIV) - Headache
(AIDS). HIV is transmitted by contacting from reproducing.
- Night Sweats
blood or bodily fluids of an infected
person.

o Doctor will usually follow up with

- Fever additional tests if they’re concerned
Viral pneumonia is a complication of the
- Fatigue about the sounds that your lungs are
viruses that cause colds and the flu. It
- Sweating making. These tests could include
accounts for about one third of
Viral Pneumonia - Weakness  Chest X-Ray
pneumonia cases. The virus invades
- Cough with yellow or  Sputum Culture
your lungs and causes them to swell,
green mucus  Bronchoscopy
blocking your flow of oxygen.
- Shaking or chills  CT Scan
 Arterial Blood Gas

BACTERIA
DISEASES DESCRIPTION SYMPTOMS CONTROL MEASURE

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness o Oral or intravenous hydration is the

caused by infection of the intestine with
Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get
sick when they swallow food or water
Cholera contaminated with cholera bacteria. The
infection is often mild or without
symptoms but can
sometimes be severe and life-
threatening.
primary treatment for cholera.
- Diarrhea o In conjunction with hydration, treatment
- Vomiting with antibiotics is recommended for
- Thirst severely ill patients. It is also
- Leg Cramps recommended for patients who have
- Irritability severe or some dehydration and
continue to pass a large volume of stool
during rehydration treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a

- A bad cough that
bacterium called Mycobacterium
lasts 3 weeks or longer
tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack
- Pain in the chest
the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any
- Coughing up blood or o There are influenza antiviral drugs that
part of the body such as the kidney,
Tuberculosis sputum can be used to treat flu illness and
spine, and brain. TB bacteria are spread
- Weakness or fatigue - having a rest.
through the air from one person to
Weight loss
another. The TB bacteria are put into the
- Fever
air when a person with TB disease of the
- No appetite
lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings.
 Anthrax is a serious infectious disease
caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped
bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis.
Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and
commonly affects domestic and wild
animals around the world. The only way
Anthrax
cutaneous (skin) anthrax can be
transmitted is by direct contact with the
drainage from an open sore. Anthrax is
not spread from person to person by
casual contact, sharing office space or by
coughing and sneezing.
o All types of anthrax infection can be
- Fever and chills. treated with antibiotics, including
- Swelling of neck or intravenous antibiotics (medicine given
neck glands. through the vein). If someone has
- Sore throat. symptoms of anthrax, it's important to
- Painful swallowing. - get medical care as quickly as possible
Nausea and vomiting to have the best chances of a full
recovery.

- Painful urination
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted
- Pus-like discharge
disease (STD) caused by infection with
from the tip of the
the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. N. o Modern antibiotics can cure gonorrhea,
penis - Pain or swelling
gonorrhoeae infects the mucous in most cases.
in one testicle
membranes of the reproductive tract, o The recommended treatment for
- Increased vaginal
Gonorrhea including the cervix, uterus, and fallopian gonorrhea is a one-time intramuscular
discharge
tubes in women, and the urethra in injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone.
- Painful urination
women and men. Gonorrhea is most Typically, you’ll get this shot in the
- Vaginal bleeding
commonly spread during vaginal, oral or buttocks.
between periods, such
anal sex. But babies of infected mothers
as after vaginal
can be infected during childbirth.
intercourse

FUNGAL
DISEASES DESCRIPTION SYMPTOMS CONTROL MEASURE

- Itching and irritation

Candida are yeast that can be found on in the vagina and
the skin, mucous membranes, and in the vulva. - A burning o For most adults, the initial
intestinal tract. There are more than 20 sensation, especially recommended antifungal treatment is an
species of Candida yeasts that can cause during intercourse or echinocandin (caspofungin, micafungin,
human infection, but most infections are while urinating. or anidulafungin) given through the vein
Candidiasis
caused by Candida albicans, C. glabrata, - Thick, white, odor- (intravenous or IV).
C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. Candida free vaginal discharge o Fluconazole, amphotericin B, and other
auris is a newly emerging fungal species with a cottage cheese antifungal medications may also be
that is difficult to identify and is often appearance. appropriate in certain situations.
resistant to multiple antifungal drugs. - Watery vaginal
discharge.

Cryptococcus fungi are found in the soil

throughout the world and are often
associated with bird droppings. There are
two main species that cause disease:
Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii.
These fungi rarely cause infections in
Cryptococcosis healthy individuals but can be very
serious for individuals with compromised
immune systems, such as those with
HIV/AIDS. Infection generally occurs
when someone breathes in the fungus.
The most common sites of infection are
the lungs and nervous system.
o Among the antibiotics used to treat
cryptococcosis are the anti-fungal
- chest pain
agents Amphotericin B, Flucytosine, and
- dry cough
Fluconazole. These drugs may have
- nausea
serious side effects, so it is important for
- blurred or double
their use to be monitored carefully.
vision
Individuals with compromised immune
- Headache
systems, or under immune suppressive
- Fatigue
therapy, should be given prolonged drug
treatment to prevent relapses.

Aspergillus is a common mold (a type of
fungus) found indoors and outdoors.
People breathe in numerous Aspergillus
spores every day without becoming sick.
However, people with weakened immune
systems or lung diseases are at-risk for
Aspergillosis
developing health problems caused by
Aspergillus. Invasive aspergillosis is an
uncommon, serious infection of the lung
or other body systems and is a major
cause of mortality in
immunocompromised individuals.
PARASITES
DISEASES DESCRIPTION
Amebiasis is a disease caused by the
parasite Entamoeba histolytica. It can
affect anyone, although it is more
common in people who live in tropical
areas with poor sanitary conditions.
Ambiasis
Diagnosis can be difficult because other
parasites can look very similar to E.
histolytica when seen under a
microscope. Infected people do not
always become sick.
Scabies is an infestation of the skin by
the human itch mite. The microscopic
scabies mite burrows into the upper layer
of the skin where it lives and lays its
Scabies eggs. The most common symptoms of
scabies are intense itching and a pimple-
like skin rash. The scabies mite usually is
spread by direct, prolonged; skin-to-skin
contact with a person who has scabies.
Hookworm disease, also called
ancylostomiasis, or uncinariasis, a
parasitic infestation of humans, dogs, or
cats caused by bloodsucking worms living
in the small intestine sometimes
associated with secondary anemia.
Hookworm
Several species of hookworm can cause
Disease
the disease. Necator americanus, which
ranges in size from 5 to 11 millimetres
(0.2 to 0.4 inch), is responsible for about
90 percent of human hookworm infections
that occur in tropical and subtropical
regions of the world.
o Antifungal medications. These drugs
are the standard treatment for invasive
pulmonary aspergillosis. The most
effective treatment is a newer antifungal
drug, voriconazole (Vfend).
- Weight loss.
Amphotericin B is another option.
- Coughing up blood. -
o Surgery.
Fatigue.
Because antifungal medications don't
- Shortness of breath.
penetrate an aspergilloma very well,
surgery to remove the fungal mass is
the first-choice treatment when an
aspergilloma causes bleeding in the
lungs.
SYMPTOMS CONTROL MEASURE
o follow a 10-day course of the
antiamoebic drug metronidazole (Flagyl)
that you’ll take as a capsule, followed by
an antibiotic such as diloxanide furoate
- Diarrhea (which may
or paromomycin.
be Stomach pains.
o If the parasite is present in your
- Cramping.
intestinal tissues, the treatment must
- Nausea.
address the organism as well as any
damage to your infected organs.
o Surgery may be necessary if the colon
or peritoneal tissues have perforations
o It can only be cured with prescription
medications that kill the mites.
- intense itching o Treatment is a cream or lotion that is
- pimple-like itchy rash applied to the entire body from the
- thick crusts on the o neck down in most cases. It is left on
skin for 8 to 14 hours and then washed off.
- Sores In some cases, a
o doctor may prescribe pills to treat
scabies.
- Itching and a
localized rash are often
the first signs of
o Anthelminthic medications, such as
infection. These
albendazole and mebendazole, are the
symptoms occur when
drugs of choice for treatment of
the larvae penetrate
hookworm infections. Infections are
the skin. A person with
generally treated for 1-3 days. The
a light infection may
recommended medications are effective
have no symptoms. A
and appear to have few side effects.
person with a heavy
Iron supplements may also be
infection may
prescribed if the infected person has
experience abdominal
anemia.
pain, diarrhea, loss of
appetite, weight loss,
fatigue and anemia.