THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

LESSON 4: INFECTION

What is infection?

INFECTION is a condition in which pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, enter

the body and multiply. This process causes the symptoms of a disease.
Infectious or communicable diseases can spread from one living to another.
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens.
Pathogens – are microscopic organisms that invade the body

- Detected by body as harmful, resulting to the activation of immune

responses.
- Examples are bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoans, animals, like mites
and worms.
- They can spread through contact with an infected person, an infected
animal, contaminated objects, or ingestion of contaminated food.
- can spread through air and water
- can enter the body through breaks in the skin or through the linings of the
eyes, nose, ears, mouth, and other body orifices or openings

What are the stages of infection?

There are five (5) stages that a disease must go through in order to establish an infection.

1. INCUBATION STAGE is the time between the exposure to a contagious

disease and the appearance of symptoms.
- Varies from hours to months, depending on the type of pathogen
- Cold can develop in a few hours.

2. PRODROMAL STAGE generally lasts about one or two days, during which
the body reacts to the presence of pathogen.

PAge
1
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

- Signs and symptoms of the

disease shows during this stage.
- Disease is now communicable
in this stage.

3. ACUTE STAGE is the period when

the disease is at its highest point that the
signs and symptoms can be clinically tested
to diagnose the disease.

4. DECLINING STAGE is the period when symptoms start to subside and the
patient may feel improvement but still cannot return to doing normal activities.
- Infection is still present but now reduced.

5. CONVALESCENT STAGE is
when the patient recovers his/her strength
and returns to his/her normal state of health.

Essentially, identifying the

stage of infection during an
illness gives clear understanding of the state of health of the patient.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

What are Communicable Diseases?

PAge
2
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

Communicable diseases or infectious diseases is

any illness that you can “catch” or can be passed from
one person to another.

There are different communicable diseases that

people experience every now and then. Knowing these
diseases would help you avoid them.
The table will help you learn about the common
communicable diseases.

DISEASE INFECTIOUS SIGNS AN

AGENT SYMPTOM
Acute Respiratory Adenoviruses  Congestio
Infections either in th
- Infection in the Rhinoviruses nasal sinus
upper or lower lungs,
respiratory tract Pneumococcus  runny nose
that prevents cough,
normal breathing  sore throat
 body ache
fatigue
Pneumonia Bacteria  chills
- Infection in the  high fever
lungs wherein the Viruses  dyspnea
air sac or alveoli  pleuritic c
are filled with pus Fungi pain
and fluid which  cough
limits oxygen  crackles an
intake wheezes h
on breath s
Bronchitis Viruses  Persistent
- Inflammation of coughing f
the bronchial Bacteria weeks
tubes, the air  Wheezing
passages between Irritant particles  Chest disc
the nose and the  Low fever
PAge
3
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

lungs chills
 Sore throat Take medications for
 Body aches cough and pains.
 Blocked nose Take antibiotics (for
and sinuses bacterial infection)
Influenza (flu) Flu Virus (Type A, B,  Sudden onset of
- a highly and C) high fever Bed rest
contagious lasting for three
infection affecting to five days Take plenty of fluids.
the respiratory  Headaches
system  Muscle ache and In severe cases,
joint pain antiviral medications
 Dry coughs are prescribed.
 Chills
 Fatigue
 Malaise (not
feeling well)
 Nasal congestion
Tuberculosis Bacteria  cough that is
- an infectious (Mycobacterium worst in the Standard six-month
bacterial disease tuberculosis) morning and last course of four
that commonly three weeks or antibiotics
affects the lungs longer
(sometimes with
blood in the
sputum)
 chest pain
 breathlessness
 night sweats
 signs of
pneumonia
 weight loss
 weakness or
fatigue
Dengue Dengue virus (four  fever up to 41 Rest
- is a mosquito- strains) degree Celsius
borne disease  headaches Drink plenty of
mostly occurring  bones and joint fluids.
in tropical and pains
sub- tropical areas  pain behind your Pain medications can
eyes be taken except for
PAge
4
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

 wide spread rash those that may

 nausea and increase bleeding
vomiting complications.
 minor bleeding
from your gums Hospitalization is
or nose needed in severe
cases.

How are Communicable Diseases prevented?

Good personal habits guard you from pathogens and
prevent you from spreading infectious diseases. There are
several ways that you must follow and practice to prevent you
from acquiring diseases.

1. W ash your hands regularly.

2. A void sharing
personal belongings.

3. Stay and rest at home when sick.

PAge
5
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

4. Handle and prepare foods hygienically.

5. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

6. Avoid touching animals that may bring diseases.

7.
Make sure you get vaccinated.

8. Properly disinfect and clean

surfaces like toilet bowls,
sinks, etc.

Is WASH CAMP helpful to

us? Can you think of your own ways of
preventing and controlling communicable diseases?

ACTIVITY TIME!
ACTIVITY 1: Your Own Ways

PAge
6
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

Think of your own way/s of preventing and controlling communicable diseases. Write at
least 3 – 5 ways on the space provided below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ACTIVITY 2: Let’s Check

Answer the following questions. Write your answers in the space provided.

1. What are pathogens?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

2. Enumerate and describe the different stages of infection.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

3. In three sentences describe the signs, symptoms, treatment, prevention, and control of
the following communicable diseases:
a. Dengue
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

b. Tuberculosis
PAge
7
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 3: Complete It!

Do some research about the given communicable disease. Complete the table below by
writing its definition, infectious agent, signs and symptoms, treatment or management and
prevention and control.

DISEASE INFECTIOUS SIGNS AND TREATMENT OR

AGENT SYMPTOMS MANAGEMENT
HIV or AIDS
-

PAge
8
THIRD QUARTER HEALTH 8

Prepared by: Validated and Approved by:

AUBREY ROSE D. MAGLUYAN, LPT JERALDAINE M. CLAVERIA, MAED, DMT

Subject Teacher School Principal
Date: Date:

PAge
9