Amoebiasis: Entamoeba Histolytica Life Cycle

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP/Red Tide Poisoning)

• Causative agent: Dino flagellates, plankton
• Mode of transmission: Ingestion of raw or inadequately cooked seafood, usually bi-valve shellfish or mollusk, during red tide season
• Incubation period: 30 minutes to several hours after ingestion
• Pathognomonic sign: numbness of the face, especially around the mouth
• Signs and symptoms: vomiting, dizziness, headache
• Treatment: no definite medication, induce vomiting, drinking pure coconut milk weakens toxic effect, sodium bicarbonate solution
• Management: avoid eating shellfish, don't mix vinegar with shellfish, and avoid sexual contact during red tide season

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs)

• Predominantly transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex
• More than 30 different bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be transmitted through sexual contact
• Eight pathogens are linked to the greatest incidence of STIs, with four being curable: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis

Amoebic Dysentery (Amoebiasis)

• Etiologic agent: Entamoeba histolytica
• Two developmental stages: trophozoites and cysts
• Incubation period: usually one to four hours, but can be shorter
• Mode of transmission: fecal-oral transmission, human-to-human contact, and vectors such as flies, cockroaches, and rodents
• Source of infection: human excreta
• Period of communicability: during the duration of illness
• Diagnostic procedures: stool exam, blood exam, liver scan, and proctoscopy/sigmoidoscopy
• Treatment modalities: metronidazole, tetracycline, ampicillin, and fluid replacement
• Nursing management: isolation, enteric precautions, education, and emphasis on proper hygiene and sanitation

Cholera (Cholera-El Tor)

• Etiologic agent: Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio comma
• Mode of transmission: fecal-oral route, ingestion of contaminated food or water, and flies, soiled hands, and utensils
• Incubation period: from a few hours to 5 days, usually 3 days
• Period of communicability: during the time the stool test positive for the organism
• Diagnostic test: stool culture, rectal swab, and dark field or phase microscopy
• Pathognomonic sign: rice watery stool
• Treatment modalities: IVF, oral therapy, and maintenance antibiotics
• Nursing management: strict medical aseptic practices, enteric isolation, and emphasis on proper hygiene and sanitation

Bacillary Dysentery (Shigellosis)

• Etiologic agent: Shigella flesneri, Shigella Boydii, Shigella Connell, and Shigella Dysenteriae
• Mode of transmission: fecal-oral route, 5F's (finger, foods, feces, flies, and fomites)
• Incubation period: 7 hours to 7 days, average of 3 to 5 days
• Pathognomonic sign: abdominal cramping, bloody mucoid stool, and tenesmus
• Diagnostic exam: fecalysis or microscopic examination of stools, isolation of the causative organism from rectal swab or culture, and peripheral blood examination
• Treatment modalities: antibiotics, IV infusion, and bland diet
• Avoidance of milk products and anti-diarrheal drugs are contraindicated

Typhoid Fever

• Etiologic agent: Salmonella typhosa, typhoid bacillus
• Mode of transmission: ingestion of food or drink contaminated by feces or urine of contaminated person
• Source of infection: 5F's (feces, flies, food, fingers, and fomites)
• Incubation period: 5-40 days, mean 10-20 days
• Pathognomonic sign: rose spots in the abdomen due to bleeding caused by Peyer's patches
• Signs and symptoms: fever, headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, and rash
• Diagnostic test: typhi dot, confirmatory test, specimen is feces, Widal's test
• Drug of choice: chloramphenicol
• Prevention: proper handwashing, proper food and water sanitation

Hepatitis A (Epidemic Hepatitis, Catarrhal Jaundice)

• Etiology: Hepatitis A virus
• Mode of transmission: ingestion of contaminated food and water, direct contact with contaminated person
• Incubation period: 15-50 days, depending on dose, average of 21-30 days
• Pathognomonic sign: icteric sclera
• Signs and symptoms: fever, anorexia, headache, jaundice, clay-colored stool, and lymphadenopathy
• Management and treatment: prophylaxis, complete bed rest, low-fat but high-sugar diet, avoid alcohol
• Prevention and control: ensure safe water for drinking, sanitary method in preparing, handling, and serving food, proper disposal of feces and urine, and proper handwashing