COMMUNICABLE-DISEASES

Communicable Diseases Overview

  • Instructor: Jhinah B Tolentino, RN, MAN.

Definition of Communicable Disease

  • A disease that is transmissible directly or indirectly from one person to another.

Examples of Communicable Diseases

  • Cholera

  • Poliomyelitis

  • Amoebic Dysentery/Amoebiasis

  • Rabies

  • Tetanus

Cholera

Definition

  • An acute diarrheal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae.

  • Can be fatal within hours if untreated.

Symptoms

  • Common signs:

    • Severe acute watery diarrhea

    • Nausea

    • Vomiting

    • Dehydration

  • Severe signs:

    • Low blood pressure

    • Rapid heart rate

    • Renal failure

Incubation Period

  • Ranges from a few hours (12 hours) to five days, with an average of 2-3 days.

Transmission

  • Drinking contaminated water

  • Eating contaminated food

  • Ingesting undercooked shellfish

  • Transference via hands and flies.

Prevention and Control

  • Multifaceted approach: surveillance, water sanitation and hygiene, social mobilization, treatment, and vaccination.

  • Key actions:

  • Proper disposal of human feces

  • Adequate safe drinking water

  • Proper food handling

Treatment

  • Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) prompt administration; adult patients may require up to 6L of ORS on the first day.

  • Severe dehydration may need intravenous fluids.

  • Zinc supplementation for children under 5 and breastfeeding encouragement.

Community Engagement

  • Emphasize handwashing, safe food preparation, safe disposal of children’s feces, and awareness of risks and symptoms.

Oral Cholera Vaccines

  • Recommended for areas with endemic cholera, should not disrupt other health interventions.

General Prevention Tips

  • Drink safe water.

  • Cook food thoroughly.

  • Maintain hygiene practices.

Nursing Interventions for Cholera

  • Monitor intake/output and weight.

  • Maintain hydration.

  • Administer medications as needed.

Nursing Assessment for Cholera Patients

  • Assess dehydration: skin color, temperature, body weight, etc.

  • Observe for severe diarrhea and abdominal symptoms.

  • Assess family knowledge regarding diarrhea and dietary needs.

Nursing Diagnoses for Cholera

  • Deficient fluid volume due to stool and emesis.

  • Imbalanced nutrition related to fluid loss.

  • Risk for infection from gastrointestinal microorganisms.

  • Impaired skin integrity from diarrhea.

  • Anxiety due to environmental change.

Nursing Care Planning and Goals

  • Ensure adequate hydration and nutrition.

  • Prevent infections and skin integrity issues.

  • Address anxiety.

Nursing Interventions Specific to Cholera

  • Monitor stool characteristics and fluid losses.

  • Fluid replacement until diarrhea resolves.

  • Administer prescribed antibiotics for severe cases.

Poliomyelitis (Polio)

Definition

  • A highly infectious viral disease affecting mainly children under 5.

  • Transmitted via the faecal-oral route or contaminated food/water, multiplies along the intestinal tract.

Symptoms

  • Initial:

    • Fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, limb pain.

  • Affected system:

    • Central Nervous System (CNS).

Incubation Period

  • Varies, generally 7 to 21 days; could be as short as 3 days for nonparalytic forms.

Transmission

  • Direct contact with infected individuals.

  • Contact with contaminated water/food.

Medical Management

  • Physical therapy for paralysis, nutritional support, and dietary adjustments.

Vaccines

  • Two types: Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV).

  • Essential for prevention in high-risk groups.

Nursing Interventions for Polio

  • Nutrition management, thermoregulation, airway clearance, pain management.

Nursing Assessment for Polio Patients

  • Detailed history, vaccination status, and physical examination for symptoms.

Nursing Diagnoses for Polio Patients

  • Imbalanced nutrition, ineffective thermoregulation, ineffective airway clearance, acute pain, anxiety, etc.

Nursing Care Planning and Goals for Polio

  • Improve nutritional intake and thermoregulation.

  • Ensure effective airway clearance.

  • Mobilize effectively.

Nursing Interventions Specific to Polio

  • Nutrition monitoring, environmental temperature control.

  • Pain management and respiratory assessments.

Amoebic Dysentery/Amoebiasis

History

  • Caused by Entamoeba histolytica, prevalent in tropical regions.

Incubation Period

  • Varies from 3 days to several months, averaging 3-4 weeks.

Initial Symptoms

  • Diarrhea, abdominal pain, tenesmus.

Nursing Diagnoses

  • Pain, diarrhea, activity intolerance, high risk for infection, altered nutrition, etc.

Nursing Interventions

  • Encourage rest, hygiene, education on food safety.

Medical Treatment

  • Antiamebiasis drugs, promoting hydration and nutrition.

Complications of Amoebic Dysentery

  • Bowel perforation, secondary infections, etc.

Rabies

Overview

  • Affects the CNS and is primarily spread through bites from infected animals.

Symptoms

  • Initial: malaise, headache, fever, pain at bite site.

  • Advanced: delusions, hydrophobia, muscle spasms.

Assessment

  • Analyze the patient’s neurological condition and observe for critical signs.

Nursing Diagnoses

  • Risk for infection transmission, anxiety, fluid volume deficit.

Nursing Interventions

  • Isolate patient if required, support care, administration of vaccines, and rabies immune globulin.

Medical Treatments

  • Rabies vaccines and immune globulin, with severe adverse reactions monitored.

Tetanus

Overview

  • Caused by Clostridium tetani, entering via deep wounds.

Symptoms

  • Muscle rigidity, spasms, particularly affecting respiratory muscles.

Therapeutic Interventions

  • Tetanus immune globulin for passive immunity, muscle spasms control, supportive measures.

Nursing Care

  • Ensure quiet environment, monitor respiratory status, and emotional support.

Final Thoughts

  • Importance of holistic care in nursing, focusing on emotional support alongside physical care. - Quote: "They may not remember your name but they will never forget the way you made them feel." - Maya Angelou.