Communicable

Diseases
in the Philippines

Submitted By: Ma. Veatriz L

Ilagan
VIII-Genesis

The top 10 communicable diseases in the Philippines, based

on World Health Organization data, include tuberculosis,
dengue fever, pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, bronchitis,
influenza, acute febrile illness, HIV and lower respiratory
tract infections. Based on data from 2008, eight of the top
10 causes of morbidity in the Philippines were communicable
diseases.

Pneumonia
Pneumonia (new-MOH-nee-ah), or pneumonitis, refers to any infection
in the lungs. Most pneumonias are caused by bacterial infections.
However, some are viral, fungal, or protozoan in origin, individuals
with AIDS commonly are infected with a protozoan. Pneumocystis
carinii, which causes pneumocystis pneumonia. Symptoms of
pneumonia include fever, chest pain, fluid in the lungs, and difficulty in
breathing.

Influenza (FLU) CO-90373

Influenza (in-flew-EN-zah) or flu is a highly contagious viral infection of
the respiratory tract. It is caused by a myxovirus. Three main strains
have been identified: Type A, B, and C. New strains of the virus
continually evolve hence why yearly vaccinations with the current
prevalent virus is recommended, especially for the very young, the
elderly, and the debilitated person at risk. The strains are usually
named for either the area (Asian flu) or the organism from which the
strain evolved (bird flu). Symptoms include fever and chills, sore
throat, cough, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. The virus is
transmitted in airborne droplets.

(TB)
Tuberculosis (too-ber-kew-LOH-sis) or TB is a chronic bacterial infection
that usually affects the lungs. It is caused by the bascillus bacterium
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can be transmitted by the ingestion or
inhalation of infected droplets. The bacterium can also infect other
organs of the body such as the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, bone
marrow, as well as the meninges of the central nervous system. Early
symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis include chest pain, fever, loss of
appetite with accompanying weight loss, and pleurisy. The tissue of the
lungs react to the presence of the bacterium by producing cells that

phagocytize the organism forming, tubercles, hence, the name

tuberculosis. If untreated the tubercles can enlarge and merge forming
clumps of dead tissue filling the lung cavity. This results in the patient
coughing up blood.

Malaria
Malaria is caused by the injection of a protozoan, Plasmodium, by a
female Anopheles mosquito. the microorganisms spends part of its life
cycle in the erythrocytes, eventually destroying them. Chills and fever
are produced by toxins released when the RBCs ruptures.

Rabies
Rabies is an acute viral, fatal disease that affects the CNS. It is
transmitted to humans through a bite with virus-containing saliva of an
infected mammal like unvaccinated dogs or cats or through the bite of
wild animals. The virus travels to the brain and other organs. Symptom
includes fever, headache, and muscle pain. If untreated, it results in
encephalitis, severe muscle spasms, seizures, paralysis, coma, and
eventually death. Treatment includes a series of vaccine injections
administered intramuscularly. Prevention is trough regular rabies shots
to our domesticated cats and dogs. Since dogs with rabies are afraid of
water and refuse to drink, the name hydrophobia (fear of water) is also
used for the disease.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea (dye-ah-REE-ah) literally means a flowing through. It occurs
when the mucosa of the colon is unable to maintain its usual levels of
water absorption and secretes larger than normal amounts of water,
ions, and mucus. Food poisoning with bacteria of the salmonella group,
certain viral infections like those that cause intestinal flu, and
protozoan infections with the amoeba. Entamoeba histolytica caused
by drinking untreated water causes bouts of severe diarrhea called
dysentery. These organisms invade the intestinal lining and destroy
the normal cells that carry on the absorption of water. The excessive
loss of water caused by bouts of diarrhea can lead to serious
dehydration. Without proper treatment, a victim could die. Diarrhea is
a common cause of death in young children in poor, undeveloped
countries.