HEALTH

Communicable diseases

>> Also known as infectious diseases is defined by the World Health Organization as diseases that are
caused by pathogenic organisms that can spread directly or indirectly from one person to another. The
prevalence of infectious diseases are becoming rampant nowadays, and it is important for you to know
more about them so you can protect yourself better from having them.

Pathogens

 Infectious disease in any disease caused by the direct effect of pathogen

 A pathogen may be cellular (bacteria, parasites, and fungi)

Stages of Infection

1. Incubation period – occurs in acute disease after initial entry of the pathogen into the host (patient).
Pathogen is actively replicating without producing symptoms> This stage may be as short as few hours
(salmonella), up to many years (HIV)

2. Prodromal Stage – The initial appearance of symptoms though they are usually vague. It occurs after
incubation period. During this phase, the pathogen continues to multiply, and the host begin to
experience general signs and symptoms of illness which typically result from the activation of the
immune system such as fever, pain, soreness, swelling of inflammation.

3. Illness stage – The maximum phase of the infectious disease process, there is rapid proliferation and
spread of the pathogen. The symptoms are more pronounced and specific. The infection is fully
developed. However, during this stage, patients may become susceptible to developing secondary
infections because their immune system have been weakened by the primary infection.

4. Convalescent Period – infection is contained and being progressively eliminated, the damaged tissue is
repaired. Symptoms are decreasing. Patients generally returns normal functions.