HEADQUARTERS

CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENT

SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
Lucban, Quezon

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
I. Overview
Communicable/Infectious diseases are disorders caused by
organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many
organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even
helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease.
Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person. Some
are transmitted by insects or other animals. And you may get others by
consuming contaminated food or water or being exposed to organisms in
the environment. Signs and symptoms vary depending on the organism
causing the infection, but often include fever and fatigue. Mild infections
may respond to rest and home remedies, while some life-threatening
infections may need hospitalization.
II. Learning Objectives
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
1) Define communicable disease;
2) Analyze the Sign and Symptoms of Different Types of
Communicable Diseases
3) Employ Prevention and Control for Different Types of
Communicable Diseases

III. Discussion/Lesson Proper

Types of Communicable Diseases

Depending upon source:

1. Respiratory Infections
- Are infections of parts of the body involved in breathing, such as the sinuses,
throat, airways or lungs.
2. Intestinal Infections
- Usually emerges after consuming food or water that is contaminated with
bacteria, parasites or a virus. It is associated with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting
and frequent diarrhea. Bowel infections occur most commonly in people with
weaker immune system, like in children, adults or people with a history of chronic
illness.
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CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENT
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
Lucban, Quezon

3. Surface Infections
- This often happens when there is a break, cut, or wound on your skin. It can
also happen when your immune system is weakened, because of another
disease or a medical treatment. Some skin infections cover a small area on the
top of your skin. Other infections can go deep into your skin or spread to a larger
area.
4. Arthropod Borne Infections
- Arboviral disease is a general term used to describe infections caused by a
group of viruses spread to people by the bite of infected arthropods (insects)
such as mosquitoes and ticks. These infections usually occur during warm
weather months, when mosquitoes and ticks are active.
5. Sexually Transmitted Disease
- A disease caused by infection with certain bacteria, viruses, or other
microorganisms that can be passed from one person to another through blood,
semen, vaginal fluids, or other body fluids, during oral, anal, or genital sex with
an infected partner.

Modes of Transmission of Communicable Diseases

A. Direct contact

Infectious diseases are often spread through direct contact. Types of direct
contact include the following.

1. Person-to-person contact
Infectious diseases are commonly transmitted through direct person-to-person
contact. Transmission occurs when a person with an infectious disease touches
or exchanges body fluids with someone else. This can happen before they are
aware of the illness. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and gastrointestinal
infections can be transmitted this way. Pregnant people can also transmit
infectious diseases to their unborn fetuses via the placenta. Some STDs,
including gonorrhea, can be passed from gestational parent to baby during
childbirth.

2. Droplet spread

The spray of droplets during coughing and sneezing can spread an infectious
disease. You can even infect another person through droplets created when you
 HEADQUARTERS
CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENT
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
Lucban, Quezon

speak. Since droplets fall to the ground within a few feet, this type of
transmission requires close proximity.

B. Indirect contact

Infectious diseases can also be spread indirectly through the air and other
mechanisms. For example:

1. Airborne transmission

Some infectious agents can travel long distances and remain suspended in the
air for an extended period of time. You can catch a disease like measles by
entering a room after someone with measles has departed.
2. Contaminated objects

Some organisms can live on objects for a short time. If you touch an object, such
as a doorknob, soon after a person with an infectious disease, you might be
exposed to infection. Transmission occurs when you touch your mouth, nose, or
eyes before thoroughly washing your hands.Germs can also be spread through
blood products and medical supplies containing the virus or bacteria.
3. Food and drinking water

Infectious diseases can be transmitted via food and water containing the virus or
bacteria. E. coli is often transmitted through improperly handled produce or
undercooked meat. Improperly canned foods can create an environment ripe for
Clostridium botulinum, which can lead to botulism.
4. Animal-to-person contact
Some infectious diseases can be transmitted from an animal to a person. This
can happen when an animal with an infection bites or scratches you, or when you
handle animal waste. The Toxoplasma gondii parasite can be found in cat feces.
Pregnant people and people with compromised immune systems should take
extra care (disposable gloves and good handwashing) when changing cat litter,
or avoid it altogether.
5. Animal reservoirs

Animal-to-animal disease transmission can sometimes transfer to humans.

Zoonosis occurs when diseases are transferred from animals to people.
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CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENT
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
Lucban, Quezon

Zoonotic diseases include:

anthrax (from sheep)
rabies (from rodents and other mammals)
West Nile virus (from birds)
plague (from rodents)
6. Insect bites (vector-borne disease)

Some zoonotic infectious agents are transmitted by insects, especially those that
suck blood. These include mosquitos, fleas, and ticks. The insects become
infected when they feed on infected hosts, such as birds, animals, and humans.
The disease is then transmitted when the insect bites a new host. Malaria, West
Nile virus, and Lyme disease are all spread this way.
7. Environmental reservoirs

Soil, water, and vegetation containing infectious organisms can also be

transferred to people. Hookworm, for example, is transmitted through infected
soil. Legionnaires’ disease is an example of a disease that can be spread by
water that supplies cooling towers and evaporative condensers.
 H EADQUARTERS
CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE COMPONENT
SOUTHERN LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY
Lucban, Quezon

DIFFERENT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Communicable Description Incubation Mode of Sign & Symptoms Prevention and Control
Diseases Period Transmission
Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease Weeks- 1. Droplet 1. Tiredness Control Programs:
caused by germs that are spread year infection 2. Loss of Appetite The National Tuberculosis Program
from person to person through depending 2. Coughing 3. Loss of Weight (NTP)
the air. TB usually affects the upon dose 4. Anemia The District Tuberculosis Program
lungs, but it can also affect other of infection 5. Evening rise in (DTP)
parts of the body, such as the & immunity temperature/ night
brain, the kidneys, or the spine. of patient. sweats 1. Raising the resistance of the
A person with TB can die if they 5. Chest pain population to the disease by:
do not get treatment. 6. Cough for a long a. Good Social Condition
time/ coughing up of b. BCS (Bacille Calmette Guerin)
blood Vaccination:
2. Reduction of human infection
by:
a. Detection & isolation of maximum
number of case
b. Chemoprophylaxis
3. Chemotherapy
1. First line agent: Isoniazid
2. Second line agents: Ethionamide

Chicken Pox Chickenpox is an infection caused 14-16 days 1. Droplet 1. Fever 1. By administering specific V.
by the varicella-zoster virus. It infection 2. Appearance of Zoster immunoglobulin
causes an itchy rash with small, 2. Freshly rash in the form of 2. Use of local antiseptics like
 fluid-filled blisters. Chickenpox is contaminated crop on trunk, face chlorhexidine
highly contagious to people who formites used and limbs. 3. If the bacteria infection progress
haven't had the disease or been by patients 3. Macules (small give antibiotics.
vaccinated against it. can transmit flat colored spot n 4. Transmission prevented by
disease skin) appear first isolation of patient for 5-7 days
3. Virus can and within 24 hrs. 5. Sterilization of all articles used by
cross lesions will appear the patient after cure.
placental 4. the lesions
barrier and becomes dry to form
may affect scabs
fetus

Influenza Flu (influenza) is an infection of About 1-2 1. Droplet 1. Fever up to 1. By administering polyvalent
the nose, throat and lungs, days (24- infection 40.5°C influenza virus vaccine.
which are part of the respiratory 48 Hrs.) 2. Freshly 2. Malaise, Chills, 2. Isolation of suspected case
system. Influenza is commonly contaminated headache, backache 3. Spitting in public places should
called the flu, but it's not the formites 3. Loss of appetite be avoided.
same as stomach "flu" viruses 3. Direct 4. Face is flushed 4. People must be educated about
that cause diarrhea and contact 5. Runny or stuffy healthy habits.
vomiting. Most people with the nose Treatment
flu get better on their own. But 6. Dry, Persistent a. Bed rest until fever has subsided.
sometimes, influenza and its cough b. Analgesics(Paracetamol)
complications can be deadly. c. Dry Cough Suppressant
(Noscapine)
d. Anti-viral may be used

Measles Measles. Measles is an 8-14 days 1. Droplet 1. Stage 1 1. Active immunization:

extremely contagious illness infection (Catarrhal Stage) a. By live attenuated measles virus
caused by a virus that replicates 2. Direct a. Fever over one year age
in the nose and throat of those contact b. Running Nose 2. Passive Immunization
infected. Although typically c. Cough a. by Human normal
considered a childhood disease, d. Appearance of immunoglobulin
anyone who is not vaccinated red spot in mouth 3. Isolation of patient for 7 days
 can get it. It’s possible for you to e. watering eyes after onset of rashes
be contagious to others for 2. Stage 2 ( Stage 4. Immunization of contacts
several days before you know of Eruption) 5. Article should be properly
you are sick and remain a. Red rash seen at disinfected.
contagious even after the rash back of ears &
disappears. foreheads along
hairline
b. rash spread all
over body

Malaria Malaria is a serious and 9-30 days 1.Vector 1. Cold Stage 1. Prevention against mosquito bite
sometimes fatal disease caused transmission: a. Onset fever with 2. Anti-larval measures
by a parasite that commonly By bite of chills and sensation 3. Anti-adult mosquito measures
infects a certain type of mosquito female of extreme cold 4. Control of human reservoir
which feeds on humans. People anopheles 2. Hot Stage
who get malaria are typically mosquito a. Temperature rise
very sick with high fevers, 2. Direct up to 40-41°C
shaking chills, and flu-like illness. transmission: b. Intense headache
By injection of 3. Sweating Stage
infected blood a. Fever decreases
or plasma with sweating.
3.
Congenital:
Infected
mother to new
born

Plague Plague is a disease that affects 3-6 days 1. Bite of an 1. Fever/ Chills 1. General Measures
humans and other mammals. It infected flea. 2. Headache a. Prophylaxis for prevention bites
is caused by the bacterium, 2. handling of 3.Extreme weakness of fleas- by controlling rats.
Yersinia pestis. Humans usually infected 4. abdominal pain b. Early diagnosis, notification,
get plague after being bitten by a animals 5. Hemoptysis isolation & disinfection of excretions
rodent flea that is carrying the (especially 6. Dyspnea like sputum
 plague bacterium or by handling cats, rabbits, c. Attendant must wear protective
an animal infected with plague. rats, mice, and measures like gloves
squirrels) 2. Chemoprophylaxis
3. inhaling a. protect by using suitable drugs
droplets from 3. Vaccination
humans or a. Killed Vaccine
household b. Attenuated Vaccine
pets with
plague
Leprosy Leprosy is an infectious disease 3-5 years 1. Direct 1. Initially nerve 1. Isolation of patient
that causes severe, disfiguring transmission damage causes 2. Early diagnosis and
skin sores and nerve damage in -prolonged numbness of skin on chemotherapy
the arms, legs, and skin areas close contact face, hand and feet 3. Treated with some specific drugs
around your body. Leprosy has with an 2. Affected skin may such as dapsone
been around since ancient infected become thickened 4. Create awareness about leprosy
times. Outbreaks have affected person. and discolored a. Avoid over crowding
people on every continent. 2. Through 3. Loss of sensation b. Bad personal hygiene
air borne 4. Lack of sensation c. Avoid sharing of cloths
droplets leads to injury or 5. For prophylactic purpose use
even loss of fingers BCG vaccine
or toes
Acquired Acquired immunodeficiency For 1. Sexual 1. 1st symptoms 1. Create awareness about HIV in
Immuno syndrome (AIDS) is a chronic, Adults: contact with appear within 6 children
Deficiency potentially life-threatening 8-10 years infected weeks of infection 2. Use protective measures like
Syndrome condition caused by the human For person a. Swollen lymph condoms
(AIDS) immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Children 2. Trough nodes 3. Screening of all blood products
By damaging your immune below 5 infected blood b. Fever and tissue for transplant
system, HIV interferes with your years: products or c. Fatigue 4. Use sterilization method for
body's ability to fight infection within 2 blood d. Rash instruments used for piercing of
and disease. HIV is a sexually years transfusion e. Sore throat nose and ear lobes.
transmitted infection (STI). It can 3. By sharing 2. Other 5. Use disposable single used
also be spread by contact with contaminated symptoms: needle and syringes
infected blood and from illicit needles or a. Fever persisting 6. By avoiding pregnancy by
 injection drug use or sharing syringes for more than one infected women.
needles. It can also be spread 4. Infected month 7. Use proper Protection by health
from mother to child during mother to b. Unexpected care workers like hand gloves while
pregnancy, childbirth or fetus weight loss handling infected patients
breastfeeding. Without 5. Also c. Diarrhea 8. Proper behavior with infected
medication, it may take years through body d. Tuberculosis etc. people.
before HIV weakens your fluids like
immune system to the point that semen
you have AIDS. 6. Also
unsterilized
piercing,
blades, etc

Hepatitis Hepatitis is an inflammation of 2 weeks- 6 1. Ingestion of 1.fever 1. Blocking the route of

the liver that is caused by a months contaminated 2. fatigue transmission
variety of infectious viruses and food or water 3 .loss of appetite a. Physical Isolation of patient
noninfectious agents leading to a 2. Person to 4. Nausea/vomiting b. Protective clothing should be
range of health problems, some person spread 5. Abdominal pain wear while handling patient
of which can be fatal.. via the faeco- 6.dark urine 2. Self-care measures
oral route 7.light-colored stools a. Rest, Plenty of food
Transmitted 8. joint pain b. High calorie diet
by food 9. Jaundice. 3. Safer water
a. Supply safe water
b. Contaminated water treated with
chlorine
4. Immunization
a. By using HAV vaccine
b. By using HBV Vaccine
Coronavirus Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 5-14 days 1. Droplet 1. Fever or chills 1. Hand washing
disease is an infectious disease caused infection(e.g., 2. Cough 2. Staying Up to Date with COVID-
(COVID-19) by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Most coughing or 3. Shortness of 19 Vaccines
people infected with the virus will sneezing) breath or difficulty 3. Improving Ventilation
experience mild to moderate 2. Airborne breathing 4. Getting Tested for COVID-19 If
respiratory illness and recover transmission 4. Fatigue Needed
without requiring special 3. Surface 5. Muscle or body 5. Following Recommendations for
treatment. However, some will transmission aches What to Do If You Have Been
become seriously ill and require 4. Fecal-oral 6. Headache Exposed
medical attention. Older people 7. New loss of taste 6. Staying Home If You Have
and those with underlying or smell Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
medical conditions like 8. Sore throat 7. Seeking Treatment If You Have
cardiovascular disease, 9. Congestion or COVID-19 and Are at High Risk of
diabetes, chronic respiratory runny nose Getting Very Sick
disease, or cancer are more 10. Nausea or 8. Avoiding Contact with People
likely to develop serious illness. vomiting Who Have Suspected or Confirmed
Anyone can get sick with 11. Diarrhea COVID-19
COVID-19 and become seriously 9. Get vaccinated and get all
ill or die at any age. recommended boosters when you
are eligible for them.