Health 8: Communicable Diseases PDF

HEALTH 8 All about Common Communicable Diseases  Communicable diseases can seriously threaten the health condition of the patient and may affect a great number of people if they are not prevented or controlled. Bacteria  These are single-celled microorganisms that rapidly multiply. Be...

HEALTH 8 All about Common Communicable Diseases  Communicable diseases can seriously threaten the health condition of the patient and may affect a great number of people if they are not prevented or controlled. Bacteria  These are single-celled microorganisms that rapidly multiply. Because they are so tiny,they can be seen only using the light microscope.  There are many species of bacteria,but only a hundred are known to be pathogenic (i.e., can cause diseases).  Some bacteria grow in hot places, whereas others thrive in cool, damp places. Bacteria cause diseases by producing toxins.  The most common examples of pathogenic bacteria that cause infection among humans are Escherichia coli (E.coli), Salmonella typhi, and certain species of Streptococcus  Diseases Caused Bacteria by the Bacteria Signs and Symptoms Transmission Process Intestinal Sudden watery diarrhea (may lead to bloody Carried in intestines; unhygienic practices, infections Escherichia stools), abdominal cramps, vomiting, fever, improper handling of food/utensils, (diarrhea, fever, coli (E. coli) fatigue, nausea, decreased urine (may have contaminated food/water, not washing dehydration, blood), bruising, pale skin, dehydration hands after bowel movement. kidney failure) High fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, Carried in bloodstream and intestines; Salmonella sweating, dry cough, weight loss, abdominal contaminated food/drinks, unhygienic Typhoid fever typhi pain, diarrhea/constipation, rashes, extreme practices, not washing hands before/after swelling of abdomen eating and bowel movement. Group A Throat pain, pain when swallowing, Streptococcu Airborne disease; spread through droplets red/swollen tonsils, swollen/tender lymph s Strep throat (cough/sneeze), contaminated food/drinks, nodes, fever, headache, tiny red spots at the (Streptococc infection or contact with objects touched by an back roof of mouth, rashes, nausea, vomiting, us infected person. body aches pyogenes) Airborne disease; spread through droplets Mycobacteri Active Persistent cough for more than 3 weeks, from coughing/sneezing/spitting, addiction um tuberculosis blood when coughing, chest pains, fatigue, to cigarettes, sharing utensils/plates with tuberculosis (Active TB) fever, sudden weight loss, night sweats, chills infected person.  Cough with yellow/green/blood- Streptoco tinged mucus, chest pains, ccus Bacterial sudden chills/fever, headache, Spread through the air or pneumon pneumonia muscle pains, fatigue, bloodstream (open wounds). iae breathlessness, pale skin, loss of appetite, confusion (elderly) Thick, gray coating on Spread through person-to- Coryneba throat/tonsils, fever, chills, swollen person contact or objects cterium Diphtheria glands, sore throat, drooling, loud touched by infected person, diphtheri barking cough, difficulty in droplets from ae breathing, heart failure, paralysis sneezing/coughing. Early symptoms: sneezing, runny Bordetell Pertussis nose, fever, mild cough. After a Spread through air droplets a (whooping week, coughing is accompanied (sneeze/cough/laugh); can be pertussis cough) by a whooping sound as person prevented through vaccination. gasps for air. Escherichia coli (E. coli Salmonella typhi Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes Mycobacterium tuberculosis pyogenes Streptococcus pneumoniae Bordetella pertussis Viruses  Viruses are the smallest pathogens, visible only under an electron microscope.There are over 150 viruses that can cause human diseases.  Viruses cannot reproduce on their own; they require a living host to infect.Viral diseases are challenging to treat, with limited drug options Examples of common viral diseases: Common Cold: Spread through airborne droplets or skin contact. Can also be triggered by allergies or stress. Prevention: Rest, reduce stress, hydration, exercise.  Influenza (Flu): Affects the respiratory system, causing headache, fatigue, body aches, and fever. Dangerous for elderly, children, and those with heart or respiratory conditions. Vaccination can help prevent some strains.  Hepatitis Hepatitis:Causes liver inflammation with symptoms like fever, nausea, jaundice. Types: Hepatitis A: Spread via contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B: Spread through body fluids (sex, drug use, pregnancy). Hepatitis C: Can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure if untreated. Measles Common in young children, with symptoms like rashes and high fever. Can be prevented with vaccination.  Rubella (German Measles) :Milder than measles, spread via inhalation. Dangerous to pregnant women, potentially harming the fetus.  Can cause severe complications for unborn babies, especially in the first trimester, leading to conditions like blindness, deafness, cognitive impairment, or heart problems.In children, can lead to fever-induced health issues such as rheumatic heart disease, kidney damage, and neurological disorders.Prevention: Vaccination.  Mumps:A highly contagious viral infection that affects the salivary glands, causing fever, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and swelling of the glands.  Preventable with vaccination.  Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs or STIs):Transmitted through sexual contact, with AIDS being one of the most dangerous types caused by HIV.  Parasites:Organisms living on or in a host organism, feeding off it. The largest are parasitic worms.  Common parasitic infections: Pinworms: Small, narrow, white worms that affect the intestines, commonly found in children aged 5-10. Spread by ingesting or inhaling pinworm eggs, leading to itching around the anus. Eggs can survive on surfaces for up to three weeks. Tapeworms: Can be contracted by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. Symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. Head Lice: Tiny, wingless parasites that live on the scalp and feed on blood. Common in children, causing itching, redness, and sores from scratching. Fungal Infections: Fungi can be beneficial (e.g., edible mushrooms) but some cause diseases.  Common fungal infections: Candidiasis (Vaginal Yeast Infection): Caused by overgrowth of Candida fungi, treated with antifungal medications. Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis): Caused by a fungus, leading to itching, peeling, and blisters on the feet. Common in warm, humid environments; treated with antifungal creams. Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris): Fungal infection in warm, moist areas like the genitals, causing red, ring-shaped itchy rashes. Treated with antifungal creams. Ringworm (Tinea Corporis): Fungus causing red, scaly skin patches. Treated with antifungal medications and prevented by avoiding contact with infected individuals.  Myths and Misconceptions about Communicable Diseases: Vaccines are lethal and cause long-term side effects: Fact: Vaccines are safe, with only mild side effects like fever or soreness. The benefits outweigh the risks, preventing serious diseases like polio. Vaccines are unnecessary if hygiene and sanitation are practiced: Fact: While hygiene helps, vaccines are still needed to prevent disease outbreaks. MMR vaccines cause autism: Fact: There is no evidence linking MMR vaccines to autism; the study suggesting this was fraudulent and retracted. Vitamin C cures colds: Fact: No scientific proof that vitamin C cures colds, though it may boost immunity. Colds can be treated with antibiotics: Fact: Colds are viral and cannot be treated with antibiotics unless complications occur. Coughing is an illness: Fact: Coughing is a symptom, not a disease. It can be productive (clearing the throat) or unproductive (hacking cough due to infection). HIV can be spread by being with an HIV-positive person: Fact: HIV is not spread through tears, touch, or sweat, only through infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluid. HIV can be transmitted through mosquito bites: Fact: Mosquitoes do not transmit HIV, as the virus doesn't survive in insects.  Immunization  Immunization is key in preventing many communicable diseases, especially when administered during childhood. Below are vaccines for specific diseases: Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine: Administered in five doses at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: Generally safe, though minor side effects like sore arms, fever, mild rashes, and joint pain or stiffness may occur. Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV): Develops antibodies against all three types of polio viruses, offering protection against paralysis if infected. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine: Protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause around 70% of cervical cancers in women. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Administered annually to prevent respiratory infections caused by the flu virus. Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine: Given after 12 months of age for children; individuals over 13 years old who are susceptible should receive two doses, spaced at least 4 weeks apart. Hepatitis Vaccine: Available separately or as a combination vaccine, administered in three or four doses over several months. Rabies Vaccine: Given to those at high risk of exposure (e.g., veterinarians, animal handlers) or following exposure to a rabid animal (e.g., bite or scratch from an infected animal). Dengue Vaccine: Prevents dengue fever, which is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The vaccine became available for administration in 2015. Emerging and Reemerging Communicable Diseases  Emerging diseases are infectious diseases that have newly appeared or are poised to increase in the near future. Examples include: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, affecting 30 countries, particularly in Asia. HIV and AIDS (first identified in 1983). Ebola Virus (first outbreak in 1976). Influenza A(H1N1) or swine flu in 2009, leading to a global pandemic. Dengue and Cholera, with fast-spreading outbreaks.  Reemerging diseases are those that had declined but have reappeared as significant health threats, such as: Tuberculosis, which has evolved resistance to antibiotics. Malaria, with mosquitoes developing resistance to pesticides and the malaria parasite resisting drugs. Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and Diphtheria, due to inadequate vaccination coverage.  Prevention and Control of Emerging and Reemerging Communicable Diseases: Governments have implemented measures to control these diseases. For example, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, the Philippines successfully isolated individuals showing symptoms and implemented quarantine measures. Preventive actions for emerging and reemerging diseases: Vaccination, quarantine, and public health education are essential to limit the spread. Community involvement in disease control and prevention is crucial for success.  Examples of Government Programs: 1. Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI): 1. Aimed at vaccinating children against common vaccine-preventable diseases and maintaining polio-free status. 2. Strategies like Reaching Every Barangay (REB) and Supplemental Immunization Activity (SIA) are used to improve vaccination coverage. 2. National Tuberculosis Control Program: 1. Reduces TB cases through DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short- course), ensuring that patients take their medications correctly for six months. 3. Aksyon Barangay Kontra Dengue: 1. Focuses on the 4S policy: Search and destroy mosquito breeding grounds, employ self-protection, seek early consultation, and fogging to control dengue outbreaks. 4. HIV/STD Prevention Campaign: 1. Educates the public on HIV/STD prevention, targeting high school students and integrating education into prenatal care.  Factors contributing to the emergence and reemergence of diseases: Population growth, urbanization, poverty, pollution, and globalization. Evolution of pathogens, environmental changes, and human behavior. Inadequate healthcare and vaccination systems.  Role of Government Agencies in Disease Prevention and Control: Department of Health (DOH): Leads public health programs, builds health infrastructure, and administers health services. National Center for Disease Prevention and Control: Plans and executes disease control programs. National Epidemiology Center: Monitors disease trends and outbreaks. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine: Conducts research on tropical diseases and supports prevention efforts.  Questions for Reflection: 1. Why is the prevention and control of communicable diseases crucial? 2. What government agencies lead in the prevention and control of communicable diseases? What are their roles? 3. How can students be motivated to participate in government programs for disease prevention? 4. If you were the president of your student council, what program would you implement to prevent infectious diseases in your school