Management of Infectious and Communicable Diseases

Primary prevention

Prevention for people who are physically and emotionally healthy.

• Uses strategies that avoid risk factors and unhealthy behaviors before disease occurs. It is considered “true prevention” because it comes before illness.

Examples: health education on hygiene, vaccination programs, healthy lifestyle (balanced diet and exercise), and safe sexual practices.

Focuses on early detection and prompt treatment to prevent progression or complications.

• For people who are at risk or already show early signs of illness.

Examples: screening programs such as the TB skin test, routine check-ups, laboratory testing, and immediate treatment of infections.

Tertiary prevention

For patients with permanent or irreversible conditions.

• Aims to reduce complications, prevent further deterioration, and promote rehabilitation through long-term care that maintains quality of life.

Examples: rehabilitation for post-polio patients, long-term antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS, and physical therapy for stroke survivors.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers _____ a cornerstone of safe health care. Its measures reduce the spread of infection in healthcare facilities and communities:

Hand hygiene

Environmental hygiene and Disinfection

Vaccination

Use of PPE

Needlestick/ sharp precautions

Proper Waste Disposal

Isolation and Quarantine

Surveillance and Reporting

Antibiotic Stewardship

Institutional Safety culture

10 Prevention and Control Measures (WHO Guidelines)

Hand hygiene

the single most effective measure.

Environmental hygiene and disinfection

daily cleaning of healthcare and household environments with bleach or alcohol-based disinfectants.

Vaccination

protects individuals and communities from specific diseases and reduces outbreaks.

use of PPE

protects individuals and communities from specific diseases and reduces outbreaks.

Needlestick/ Sharp Precaution

safe handling and disposal of syringes and other sharps

to prevent injury and bloodborne infection.

Proper waste disposal

supported by Presidential Decree 825 (penalty for improper

garbage disposal) and Presidential Decree 856, the Code on Sanitation (requires sanitation in food establishments and proper waste disposal systems).

Isolation and Quarantine

separating infected or exposed individuals to prevent transmission.

Surveillance and Reporting

monitoring, documenting, and reporting cases to health authorities for timely response.

Antibiotic Stewardship

proper use of antibiotics to reduce resistance.

Institutional safety culture

strict compliance of healthcare staff with infection-control

protocols.

Disinfection

the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms outside the body by direct physical or chemical means.

Immediate Disinfection

is done immediately after an infected person produces infectious material or secretions, while the patient is still a source of infection.

Terminal disinfection

is done when the patient is no longer a source of infection, that is, after death or discharge. Everything the

client used, including the room, is disinfected.

Transmission based precaution

_______ are specific infection-control measures used in addition to

standard precautions when caring for patients with known or suspected infections.

• They match the mode of transmission of the infectious agent and help break the chain of infection in healthcare and community settings.

Airborne preautions

Droplet precaution

Contact precaution

Transmission based precaution Types

Airborne precaution

Require special handling and ventilation procedures to prevent spread. Respiratory protection is mandatory.

TB
Measles

Varicella (Chicken pox)

Examples of Airborne Precaution

Droplet Precautions

Used because large droplets do not stay in the air and generally travel only short distances, about three feet or less.

Influenza

pertussis (whooping cough)

Meningococcal meningitis

Droplet precautions example

Contact precautions

Require gloves, a mask, and a gown, followed by thorough handwashing after removing protective items.

MRSA

Clostridium difficile

Scabies

Contact precautions example

Isolation

_______ contains pathogens and prevents their spread.

Strict Isolation

Contact isolation

Respiratory isolation

Tuberculosis Isolation

Enteric Isolation

Drainage/ secretion precautions

Universal Precautions

Types of Isolation

________For highly virulent diseases (e.g., Ebola).

________Prevents spread through direct contact or contaminated objects (e.g.,MRSA).
________For droplet-spread illnesses (e.g., influenza).

________Special precautions for pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

________For diseases spread through the fecal-oral route (e.g., cholera).

__________For infections with purulent discharges.

__________ Assume that all blood and body fluids are infectious.

1. Knowledge of pathogens

2. Application of isolation and aseptic techniques

3. preventive and therapeutic interventions

4. health education

5. holistic patient support

6. community engagement and advocacy

7. Implementation of all level of preventions

Role of Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases

Knowledge of Pathogens

understanding their

• nature,

• survival capacity,

• modes of transmission, and

• incubation periods.

Role of the Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases

Application of isolation and aseptic techniques

techniques: using precautions that fit the type of infection.

Role of the Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases

Preventive and therapeutic interventions

giving vaccines, medications, and supportive care.

Role of the Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases

Health Education

teaching patients and families about hygiene, immunization, and early symptoms.

Role of the Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases

Holistic patient support

providing physical care, emotional encouragement, and spiritual

support to patients and families.

Role of the Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases

Community engagement and advocacy

promoting awareness campaigns, encouraging

vaccination, and supporting sanitation programs.

Role of the Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases

Implementation of all levels of prevention

applying primary, secondary, and tertiary

measures according to patient and community needs.

Role of the Nurse in the Management of Communicable Diseases