Communicable Diseases PDF

Communicable Diseases Chicken Pox (Varicella) Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease transmitted through the air, direct contact, and through contaminated objects. Contracting chickenpox during pregnancy can possibly cause birth defects or a life-threatening illness....

Communicable Diseases Chicken Pox (Varicella) Chickenpox (varicella) is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease transmitted through the air, direct contact, and through contaminated objects. Contracting chickenpox during pregnancy can possibly cause birth defects or a life-threatening illness. Clinical Manifestations prodromal phase: 24 hours of low-grade fever malaise anorexia acute phase: pruritic rash to face, trunk, extremities rash appears as papules (raised red/pink bumps), then forms into vesicles (small-fluid filled blisters), then the blisters break and leak and form crusts and scabs typically lasts about a week Therapeutic Management antipruritic or antihistamine medications for itching acetaminophen for discomfort or fever Nursing Management For hospitalization, implement airborne contact precautions until lesions are crusted.Educate parents about home care.Isolate ill child from children at high risk and unvaccinated individuals until lesions are crusted. Encourage skin care. apply pressure on itchy areas rather than scratching smooth and shorten nails place mittens on young children bathe daily without soap Dress in lightweight, loose clothing to keep cool. Encourage child to drink fluids. Isolation Precautions Airborne and Contact Measles (Rubeola) Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is spread through the air and by direct contact of the droplets of infected persons. Clinical Manifestations prodromal phase fever malaise cough conjunctivitis Koplik’s spots (pinpoint red spot with white specks in buccal cavity) lasting 3-4 days acute phase irregular macular erythema rash appears beginning on face and behind ears and spreading to feet (lasts up to 7 days) vomiting diarrhea anorexia lymphadenopathy Therapeutic Management analgesics for pain vitamin A Nursing Management educate parents about home care maintain isolation until fifth day of rash encourage rest administer antipyretics for fever dim lights for photophobia clean eyelids with warm saline if secretions are present use cool mist vaporizer Isolation Precautions Airborne and Contact Mumps Mumps (parotitis) is a viral infection that can cause swelling in the salivary glands. It is spread through the air and by direct contact. Clinical Manifestations prodromal phase fever malaise headache anorexia for 24 hours acute phase unilateral or bilateral edema and tenderness of parotid gland (by day 3) earache that is aggravated by chewing Therapeutic Management nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and reduce fever analgesics for pain Nursing Management educate parents about home care apply warm or cool compress for edema encourage rest administer analgesics for pain encourage fluids and soft, bland foods Isolation Precautions Droplet and Contact German Measles (Rubella) German measles (rubella) is a viral disease spread through direct contact with nasopharyngeal secretions of infected persons. Clinical Manifestations prodromal phase young children have no symptoms besides rash adolescents have lymphadenopathy for 1 to 5 days low-grade fever headache sore throat anorexia clear nasal discharge cough acute phase within 3 days a pinkish red maculopapular rash begins on face and spreads to trunk, then to extremities Therapeutic Management analgesics for pain antipyretics for fever Nursing Management educate parents about home care medicate for fever and comfort avoid exposure to pregnant women Isolation Precautions Droplet Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial respiratory disease. It is spread through the air. Clinical Manifestations prodromal phase acute phase 1-2 weeks of upper respiratory tract infection signs and symptoms cough sneezing little or no fever headache anorexia 4-6 weeks of dry, hacking cough followed by prolonged inspiration (“whoop” sound most often at night) vomiting of thick, stringy mucus convalescent stage 1-2 weeks of decrease in coughing and whooping Therapeutic Management antibiotic therapy Nursing Management educate parents about home care § promote rest encourage fluids provide cool mist humidifier or humidified oxygen observe for signs of airway obstruction Isolation Precautions Droplet and standard