Communicable Diseases II

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In today’s class, we will be talking more about communicable diseases. Enjoy the class!

Communicable Diseases II

Communicable Diseases classnotes.ng

Nature of communicable diseases

Some of the examples of communicable diseases are:

  1. Measles:

    measles

    Measles is a type of viral infection that produces red spots all over the body and it is very contagious. It is a type of disease that is common among children. In many parts of the developing countries, most especially where there is inadequate immunization, it leads to public concern simply because it is a major cause of death among children. The measles incubation period is between 7 and 14 days while the isolation period should be for about 7 days. The mode of transmission of measles is through respiration. The saliva and nasal discharge of an infected child carry the virus.

    Contact with the infected child’s saliva or nasal discharge through breathing, sneezing and coughing, when a healthy person encounters the fluid through the nose or mouth or shares a limited space with an infected person and such person is not already immunized against the measles disease is very likely to get infected. The causative agent of measles disease is a virus called measles virus or morbillivirus. The signs and symptoms of measles are: cough, severe cold, sneezing, red eyes, diarrhoea, small red spots on the body, severe itching, body weakness, high fever and headache.

The preventive and control measures of measles include the following:

  • Dispose of all articles used for the infected person properly.
  • Create awareness about the mode of measles infection, prevention and its control
  • Isolate all measles victims until treatment is complete.
  • Ensure children immunization with the measles vaccine.
  • Ensure complete treatment at the hospital.
  1. Mumps:

    Mumps

    Mumps is a type of viral infection that affects the upper part of the body and is very contagious. The parotid salivary gland is mostly affected which leads to fever and painful swelling of the neck, testicles and ovary. It is a type of disease that is common among children.

    Mumps incubation period is between 18 and 28 days while the isolation period should be for about 14 days. The mode of transmission of mumps is through respiration. The saliva and nasal discharge of an infected child carry the virus. Contact with the infected child’s saliva or nasal discharge spreads from mouth to the nose. The causative agent of mumps disease is a virus called mumps virus. The signs and symptoms of mumps are sneezing, stiff jaw, sore throat, headache, restlessness, pains when swallowing, fever and swelling below the ears.

The preventive and control measures of mumps include the following;

  • Complete the treatment of the disease in the hospital.
  • Isolation of the mumps victim for about two weeks until treatment is complete.
  • Dispose of all articles used for infected person properly.
  • Take adequate diet and plenty of fluid.
  • Ensure proper ventilation.
  • Ensure good personal hygiene and manners.
  • Create awareness about the mode of measles infection, prevention and its control
  1. Pneumonia:

    Pneumonia is a type of infection that affects the lower respiratory system, which causes one or both lungs to be swollen and filled with fluids. It affects the air sac, which leads to difficulty breathing and chest pain. Exposure to cold or inhalation of different kinds of dust can also cause pneumonia. It is very common among young people and very deadly in cases that have to do with babies. The mode of transmission of pneumonia is through respiration.

    That is through inhalation of different kinds of germs (virus and bacteria) which are mostly present in the saliva or nasal discharge of the victim. The causative agent is a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumonia. It can also be caused by Pneumonia virus and fungi. The signs and symptoms of pneumonia are Fast heartbeat, fatigue, general weakness, sweating, headache, muscular pain, chills, cough with sputum, high fever, nausea, and vomiting.

The following measures can be taken to prevent or control pneumonia:

  • Practice a balanced diet and drink plenty of liquids.
  • Allow proper ventilation.
  • Create awareness about the mode of pneumonia infection, prevention and its control.
  • Properly dispose of all the materials used by an infected person.
  • Eat warm or hot food regularly.
  • Avoid being caught in the rain.
  • When the weather is hot, take a warm or hot shower.
  • Provide adequate protection during a cold or sudden change in the weather.
  • Get adequate information on the disease.
  • Complete the treatment of the disease in the hospital.
  1. Malaria:

    Malaria is a type of communicable disease that is mostly caused by an infected female anopheles mosquito bite. Dirty environments with dark and damp corners attracts an enormous number of mosquitoes. Malaria is a widely spread disease which mostly leads to death. It is a type of disease that affects both children and adults. It weakens the immune system and makes the body vulnerable to several types of diseases. The causative agent of malaria is a protozoan called Plasmodium falciparum.

    The mode of transmission of malaria is through a mosquito bite, i.e. when mosquito bites an infected person and then goes to bite a healthy person, thus infecting such person. There is a spiral effect when an infected female anopheles mosquito pierces the skin of a person, it sucks such a person’s blood and transmit the protozoan that causes malaria into the person’s body. It will take 21 days for the infection to take effect in that person’s body. The signs and symptoms of malaria are loss of appetite, high fever, sweating, pains in the joints, general body weakness, nausea and vomiting.

The following measures can be taken to prevent or control malaria:

  • Cut the weeds in the surrounding environment.
  • Use a treated mosquito net.
  • Use wire mesh on the windows.
  • Create awareness about the mode of malaria transmission and its control measures.
  • Use insecticide spray in the rooms.
  • Complete the treatment of disease in the hospital.
  • Clear all stagnant water and be sure to keep all gutters clean to destroy all mosquito habitat.
  1. Lassa fever:

    Lassa fever is highly communicable disease that leads to high fever and different kinds of muscular pains. It is a type of disease that is very common in Central, Western Countries such as Nigeria and Liberia Lassa fever was firstly identified in al village called Lassa in Nigeria, it was then named after the village. Lassa fever leads to bleeding which eventually leads to death. Rats are the major carriers of this disease, which can be transmitted from one person to another through the air, water, food, etc.

    The causative agent of Lassa fever is a virus called Lassa virus. The mode of transmission of Lassa fever is through eating bush rat or food and water that is contaminated by rats urine or excreta. It can also be as a result of rats urine which is deposited on stored food, floors, bed and kitchen cooking utensils. It can also be transmitted through direct contact or breathing infected fluids such as blood, urine in saliva, etc. The signs and symptoms of Lassa fever are headache, fever, body weakness, cough, diarrhoea, abdominal pain red spot on the body, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases the signs and symptoms will be swollen face, coma, low blood pressure, etc.

The following measures can be taken to prevent or control Lassa fever:

  • Avoid touching dead rat.
  • Dispose of all rat remains.
  • Avoid contact with rats.
  • Clean all the dirty environment.
  • Cover and block all rat’s hideouts.
  • Wash and cook all foods thoroughly.
  • Isolate victims during treatment.
  • Protect all food and water supplies.
  • All hospital staffs should take the necessary precautions against the transmission of Lassa fever.
  • Go to the hospital when there is persistent fever.

 

In our next class, we will be talking about Non-Communicable Diseases.  We hope you enjoyed the class.

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