Questions and Answers
What is a communicable disease?
An illness caused by infectious agents that are transmitted directly or indirectly to a well person.
What is a carrier?
A person who has the organism and can transmit it to a susceptible host without showing manifestations.
What does habitat/reservoir refer to in the context of infectious diseases?
A place where an organism lives or where an organism is usually found.
Which of the following is TRUE about sporadic diseases?
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Which term describes the simultaneous occurrence of an epidemic of the same disease in several countries?
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What are the two types of immunity?
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What is an example of active natural immunity?
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What does herd immunity refer to?
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Which type of isolation prevents the spread of infection primarily by close contact?
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Universal precautions treat all bodily fluids as if they have potential infections.
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Match the following diseases with their causative agents:
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Which of the following is a sign of measles?
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What are the flu-like symptoms common in measles?
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What is the causative agent of leprosy?
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What is the duration of treatment for Pauci-bacillary leprosy?
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What is the primary mode of transmission for scabies?
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Scabies has a communicability period that lasts only a few hours.
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What are the common signs and symptoms of scabies?
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What is a key treatment for Pediculosis?
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What is the diagnostic test for Diphtheria?
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What are the signs and symptoms of Pertussis?
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The incubation period for influenza is 1 to 3 weeks.
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Which of the following is a type of anthrax?
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Which agent causes tuberculosis?
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The causative agent of rabies is ______.
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What is a common warning sign in severe dengue patients?
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What is the primary treatment for filariasis?
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Study Notes
Communicable Diseases
- Illnesses caused by infectious agents transmitted directly or indirectly to susceptible individuals.
- Host: A living entity (human, animal, plant) that provides an environment for a pathogen to survive and reproduce.
- Carrier: An infected individual capable of transmitting the disease without showing symptoms.
- Habitat/Reservoir: Natural environment where an organism typically lives.
Basic Terminologies
- Contact: Individuals in close association with an infected person or contaminated materials.
- Macule: Flat, circumscribed lesion with altered color, not palpable.
- Papule: Elevated solid lesion characterized by its circumscribed nature.
- Pustule: Circumscribed elevated lesion filled with purulent fluid.
- Vesicle: Small elevated lesion filled with fluid.
Epidemiology
- The study of disease occurrence and distribution within populations.
Patterns of Occurrence
- Sporadic: Occasional, seasonal outbreaks (e.g., Leptospirosis during rainy season).
- Endemic: Consistently present in a specific locality (e.g., Malaria in Palawan).
- Epidemic: Sudden increase in disease cases in a specific area (e.g., COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan).
- Pandemic: Global spread of a disease (e.g., HIV/AIDS, COVID-19).
Chain of Infection & Modes of Transmission
- Diseases spread through various transmission methods:
- Direct Contact: Person-to-person.
- Indirect Contact: Via contaminated objects.
- Droplet Spread: Respiratory secretions over short distances.
- Airborne Transmission: Pathogens suspended in the air.
- Vehicle Transmission: Inanimate objects harbor the disease until ingested.
- Vector Transmission: Carriers transfer microbes to another living organism.
Immunity
-
Natural Immunity:
- Active: Developed post-recovery from disease, offers long-term protection.
- Passive: Temporary immunity gained from maternal transfer (e.g., through placenta or breast milk).
-
Artificial Immunity:
- Active: Developed through vaccines.
- Passive: Gained through immunoglobulins or antitoxins.
- Herd Immunity: Achieved when a significant portion (80%) of a population is immune to a disease.
Isolation Practices
- Contact Isolation: Prevents infection spread via close contact.
- Respiratory Isolation: Limits transmission through the air.
- Tuberculosis Isolation: For active TB patients.
- Reverse Isolation: Protects immunocompromised patients from environmental exposure.
Infection Control Precautions
- Standard Precautions: Basic hygiene practices for all patient care (hand hygiene, PPE usage).
- Universal Precautions: Treat all bodily fluids as potentially infectious.
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Transmission-Based Precautions:
- Contact Precautions: For diseases spread by direct/indirect contact.
- Droplet Precautions: For respiratory diseases transmitted by air droplets.
- Airborne Precautions: For diseases that linger in the air (e.g., TB, Measles).
Specific Communicable Diseases
- Chicken Pox (Varicella Zoster): Caused by Human Herpes Virus 3, incubates for 2-3 weeks, spreads through direct contact, airborne, and lesional secretions. Symptoms include flu-like symptoms, pruritus, and vesicular rash.
- Measles (Rubeola): Caused by Paramyxovirus, spreads airborne and through secretions. Presents with Koplik's spots, high fever, and maculopapular rash.
- German Measles (Rubella): Caused by Togavirus, transmitted via droplets. Features include mild flu-like symptoms and Forscheimer’s spots.
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Reactivation of varicella virus, transmitted through airborne and contact. Symptoms include fever, severe pain, and a vesicular rash.
- Leprosy (Hansenosis): Caused by Mycobacterium leprae; transmitted through droplets and prolonged skin contact. Symptomatic of skin color changes, anesthesia, and muscle weakness.
- Scabies: Caused by Sarcoptes scabei; transmitted skin-to-skin. Symptoms include severe itchiness and burrows on the skin.
- Pediculosis: Infestation of lice on scalp, body, and pubic areas. Pruritus and sensations of movement on the scalp indicate infestation.
Nursing Management & Treatment
- Importance of patient isolation, symptom management, and administration of antiviral or antibiotic treatments where applicable.
- Emphasis on hygiene practices and environmental cleaning to prevent further transmission.### Diphtheria
- Causative agent: Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- Incubation period: 2 – 5 days
- Transmission modes: Droplet, contact with infected articles, milk ingestion
- Types of Diphtheria:
- Nasal: Foul-smelling serosanguinous secretions
- Tonsillar: Lesions on tonsils, may spread to soft palate
- Nasopharyngeal: Swollen cervical lymph nodes, edematous neck
- Laryngeal: Common in children, distinguished by hoarseness
- Wound/Cutaneous: Affects mucous membranes or skin breaks
- Symptoms include fatigue, fever, malaise, hoarseness, palate swelling, breathing difficulties, and bull-neck formation
- Diagnostic tests:
- Schick Test: Assesses diphtheria sensitivity
- Moloney Test: Evaluates diphtheria allergy
- Treatments involve penicillin, diphtheria anti-toxin, and erythromycin
- Nursing management: Ice collar, bed rest, droplet precautions
- Prevention: Pentavalent vaccine given at scheduled intervals
Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Causative agents: Haemophilus pertussis, Bordetella pertussis
- Incubation period: 7 - 10 days
- Communicability: 3 weeks after cough onset
- Symptoms develop in stages:
- Stage 1 (Catarrhal): Nasal congestion, low fever, sneezing
- Stage 2 (Paroxysmal): Intense coughing with whooping sound, vomiting
- Stage 3 (Convalescent): Chronic cough lasting weeks
- Diagnostic tests: Nasopharyngeal swab, sputum culture, chest X-ray
- Treatment focuses on supportive therapy, hydration, and antibiotics (erythromycin, ampicillin)
- Nursing management includes droplet precautions and cough etiquette
- Prevention: Pentavalent vaccine administered in early childhood
Influenza (La Grippe)
- Causative agents: Influenza Virus A, B, C
- Incubation period: 1 – 3 days
- Communicability: 1 day before to 3-5 days after symptoms onset
- Symptoms: Chills, fever, severe aches, vomiting, sore throat, cough
- Diagnostic tests: CBC, viral culture, chest X-ray
- Nursing management entails fluid management, fever control, and home rest
- Prevention: Annual influenza vaccination, especially for high-risk groups
Anthrax
- Causative agent: Bacillus anthracis
- Transmission modes: Droplet and contact
- Types of anthrax:
- Cutaneous: Most common, presents as black eschar
- Gastro-intestinal: Acquired from undercooked meat
- Pulmonary: Caused by inhaled spores, leads to respiratory distress
- Management involves decontamination, ciprofloxacin, and vaccination protocols for high-risk groups
Tuberculosis (Koch’s Disease)
- Leading country for tuberculosis cases: Philippines
- Causative agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Transmission mode: Airborne and droplet
- Symptoms:
- Low-grade afternoon fever
- Blood in sputum (hemoptysis)
- Persistent cough (>2 weeks)
- Weight loss, night sweats
- Diagnostic tests: PPD/Mantoux test, direct sputum smear microscopy, sputum culture, chest X-ray
- Classifications: presumptive, definite, new case, relapse, treatment after failure, treatment after lost follow-up
- Management: Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) with specific medications
Dengue Diagnoses
- NS1 antigen test: Early detection for dengue
- Dengue IgM/IgG ELISA: Differentiates active from past infection
- PCR: Gold standard for confirmation of dengue
- Clinical course includes headaches, fever, myalgia, and positive tourniquet tests
- Categorization of patients:
- Category A: Manage at home
- Category B: Admit if newborn, pregnant, or with pre-existing conditions
- Category C: Severe cases requiring resuscitation
- Treatment includes hydration, paracetamol, and whole blood transfusion.
Malaria
- Causative agents: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale
- Transmission: Bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito, blood transfusion, placental transmission
- Incubation periods vary among Plasmodium species
- Symptoms: Shivering, fever, sweating, myalgia, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly
- Chemoprophylaxis: Chloroquine taken weekly before entering endemic areas
- Preventive measures include insecticide spraying, wearing long clothes, and avoiding outdoor night activities
Filariasis (Elephantiasis)
- Caused by: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Brugia timori
- Transmission: Bite of infected Aedes mosquito
- Symptoms include lymphadenitis, epididymitis, hydrocele, lymphedema, and elephantiasis
- Diagnostics: Rapid antigen test (ICT)
- Treatment: Diethylcarbamazine citrate (Hetrazan) with associated nursing management
Rabies
- A viral infection spread through the saliva of infected animals
- Causative agent: Rhabdovirus/Lyssa virus
- Primary vector: Dogs
- Attacks the central nervous system, leading to encephalitis
- Incubation period: 2-8 weeks, shorter if bite is on face or neck
HIV-AIDS
- Progression: Stage 4 indicates the onset of AIDS, characterized by critically low CD4 cell count.
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Description
This quiz covers essential terminologies related to communicable diseases, including definitions of terms like host, carrier, and the transmission of infectious agents. It aims to enhance understanding of how diseases spread and the role of different organisms in this process.
