Anthraxs Disease Information

Anthrax is a serious infectious illness caused by a microbe called Bacillus

anthracis that lives in soil. Most forms of the disease are lethal and it affects both human
and animals. It can occur in four forms: skin, inhalation, intestinal, and injection.
Symptoms begin between one day and two months after the infection is contracted.
Causative Agent/s
Bacillus anthracis

Risk Factor/s

work with anthrax in a laboratory

work with livestock as a veterinarian (not likely in the United States)
handle animal skins from areas with a high risk of anthrax (not in the United
States)
handle game animals
are in the military on duty in an area that carries a high risk of anthrax
exposure
working in the funeral services
working in the cemetery
handle meat products
travellers from places where Anthrax been identified
immigrant from places where Anthrax been identified
postal workers

Diagnostic Test/s
Culture and sensitivity
o blood tests
o skin tests
o stool samples
o CSF
chest X-rays
endoscopy of the esophagus or intestines
Signs and Symptoms

Intestinal Anthrax
o nausea
o loss of appetite
o fever
o swelling in the neck
o bloody diarrhea
o severe abdominal pain

Inhalation Anthrax
o cold symptoms
o a sore throat
o a fever
o achy muscles
o a cough
o shortness of breath
o fatigue
o shaking
o chills
o vomiting
o pallor or cyanosis
o tachycardia
o pleuritic chest

Skin Anthrax
o painless blister
o painless skin ulcer with a black center

Injection Anthrax
o fever
o abscess at the site of drug injection
o inflammation at the site
Treatment/s
antibiotics for 60 days either ciprofloxacin or doxycycline combined with one
or two other antibiotics - eg, amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin, chloramphenicol,
clarithromycin, clindamycin, imipenem with cilastatin, rifampicin and
vancomycin.
debridement of the abscessed injection site

Prevention
Vaccination of animals and individuals
Prophylactic antibiotics if exposure to Anthrax is suspected
if suspected person dies, protective precautions must be administered
Incineration of suspected and diagnosed dead bodies
Decontamination of exposed materials, facilities and equipments
 HIV/AIDS Disease Information

HIV/AIDS is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human

immunodeficiency virus. It is sexually transmitted disease.

Causative Agent/s
human immunodeficiency virus

Transmission
Unprotected sex including anal and oral sex
Contaminated blood transfusions
From mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding
Misconceptions of transmission
o shaking hands

o hugging

o casual kissing

o sneezing

o touching unbroken skin

o using the same toilet

o sharing towels

o sharing cutlery

o mouth-to-mouth resuscitation

o or other forms of "casual contact"

Risk Factor/s
Injection drug user
Blood product recipient before 1985
Sexual relations with infected individual
Sexual relations into suspected individuals
Sexual relations into sex workers
presence of other STDs and genital ulcers
Sexual assault
Diagnostic Test/s
Enzyme Immunoassay
Western Blot
Viral Load
CD4/CD8 ratio
Signs and Symptoms
Asymptomatic
o In many cases, after the initial symptoms disappear, there will not be
any further symptoms for many years. During this time, the virus
carries on developing and damages the immune system. This
process can take up to 10 years. The infected person will experience
no symptoms, feel well and appear healthy.

Early Infection
o fever
o chills
o joint pain
o muscle ache
o sore throat
o sweats (particularly at night)
o enlarged glands
o a red rash
o tiredness
o weakness
o weight loss

Late Stage Infection

o blurred vision
o Diarrhea which is usually persistent or chronic
o dry cough
o fever of above 37C (100F) lasting for weeks
o night sweats
o permanent tiredness
o shortness of breath
o swollen glands lasting for weeks
o weight loss
o white spots on the tongue or mouth
Treatment/s
NO known cure yet but Antiretroviral medications decreases the
progression of the diseases and patients may live into a near-normal life.
Prevention
Use of condoms
Vaginal gel containing tenofovir (a reverse transcriptase inhibitor)
o spermicide nonoxynol-9 may increase the risk of transmission
due to its tendency to cause vaginal and rectal irritation.
Circumcision
Treatment as prevention, or TASP
Post-exposure Prophylaxis
Antiviral medications during pregnancy and after birth or Cesarean Section
may be included
Bottle feeding rather than breastfeeding
Needle exchange habit
Personal Protective Equipment
HEALTH EDUCATION
Managing HIV/AIDS thru Education

Adherence. HIV treatment is effective if the patient is committed and

constant in taking the medication on time. Missing even a few doses will
jeopardize the treatment. A daily methodical routine has to be programmed
to fit the treatment plan around the patient's lifestyle and schedule.
"Adherence" is sometimes known as "compliance".
General Health. It is crucial for patients to take medication correctly and
take steps to avoid illness. Patients should seek to improve their general
health and reduce the risk of falling ill by practicing regular exercise, healthy
eating, and not smoking.
Additional precautions. HIV-infected people should be extra cautious to
prevent exposure to infection. They should be careful around animals, avoid
coming into contact with cat litter, animal feces. Meticulous and regular
washing of hands is recommended.
Long-term condition. HIV is a lasting condition, and therefore patients
have to be in regular contact with their healthcare team. Treatment plan is
reviewed regularly.
Psychological. Common misconceptions about AIDS/ HIV are diminishing.
People infected with the virus may feel excluded, rejected, discriminated
and isolated.
 Ascariasis Disease Information

Ascariasis is an infection of the small intestine by round worms. Roundworms are

a type of parasitic worm. Infections caused by roundworms are relatively common.
Ascariasis is the most common roundworm infection. About 10 percent of the developing
world is infected with intestinal worms, according to the World Health Organization
(WHO). You can become infected with ascariasis after accidentally ingesting the eggs of
the A. lumbricoides roundworm. The eggs can be found in soil contaminated by human
feces or uncooked food contaminated by soil that contains roundworm eggs. Ascariasis
is most common in places without modern sanitation. Its transmitted through unsafe food
and water. The infection usually causes no symptoms, but heavier infestations can lead
to problems in the lungs or intestines.

Causative Agent/s
Ascaris lumbricoides]

Risk Factor/s

lack of modern hygiene and sanitation infrastructure

use of human feces for fertilizer
living in or visiting a warm climate
exposure to an outdoor environment where dirt might be ingested
people who have traveled to tropical locations with poor sanitation
immigrants from tropical countries with poor sanitary conditions
people who live in institutions with poor sanitary conditions, such as prisons
people with compromised immune systems and other health conditions
Have close contact with someone who is infected
ingesting the following when travelling to areas with poor sanitation:
o tap water
o watered down fruit juices (for example, fruit juices that may be sold in
the street)
o ice cream
o ice cubes
o shellfish
o eggs
o salads
o raw or undercooked meat
o fruit that has already been peeled
 o Mmayonnaise or sauces

Diagnostic Test/s
Culture and sensitivity
o blood tests
o stool samples
Imaging
o chest X-rays
o CT scans
o ultrasounds
o MRI scans
colonoscopy

Signs and Symptoms

Intestinal Ascariasis
o nausea
o vomiting
o irregular stools
o visible worms in the stool
o stomach or abdominal pain
o weight loss
o fever
o fatigue

Lung Ascariasis
o coughing or gagging
o vomiting roundworms
o wheezing or shortness of breath
o fever
o fatigue
Complication/s

Intestinal blockage occurs when a mass of worms blocks your intestines

causing severe pain and vomiting. Intestinal blockage is considered a
medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.
Duct blockages occur when the worms block the passageways to your liver
or pancreas.
Infections that lead to loss of appetite and poor absorption can cause
slowed growth and poor nutrition. This puts children at risk of not getting
enough nutrients, which can affect their growth.

Treatment/s
Roundworm is usually treated with antiparasitic drugs. Medications most
commonly used for treatment include:
o albendazole (Albenza)
o ivermectin (Stromectol)
o mebendazole
In advanced cases, other treatment may be needed. Surgery may be used to
control a larger infestation.

Prevention

Exposure to roundworms can be limited by avoiding unsafe food and water.

Keeping environment clean also helps. This includes laundering clothing
exposed to unsanitary conditions and cleaning cooking surfaces well.
Proper sanitation
Frequent hand washing with soap
Eliminating the use of human feces for fertilizer
 Amebiasis Disease Information

Amebiasis is a parasitic infection of the intestines caused by the protozoan

Entamoeba histolytica, or E. histolytica. The symptoms of amebiasis include loose stool,
abdominal cramping, and stomach pain. However, most people with amebiasis wont
experience significant symptoms. It enters the human body when a person ingests cysts
through food or water. It can also enter the body through direct contact with fecal matter.

Causative Agent/s
Entamoeba histolytica

Risk Factor/s

people who have traveled to tropical locations with poor sanitation

immigrants from tropical countries with poor sanitary conditions
people who live in institutions with poor sanitary conditions, such as prisons
men who have sex with other men
people with compromised immune systems and other health conditions
Have close contact with someone who is infected
ingesting the following when travelling to areas with poor sanitation:
o tap water
o watered down fruit juices (for example, fruit juices that may be sold in
the street)
o ice cream
o ice cubes
o shellfish
o eggs
o salads
o raw or undercooked meat
o fruit that has already been peeled
o Mmayonnaise or sauces

Diagnostic Test/s
Culture and sensitivity
o stool samples
Imaging to check for lesions on liver
o chest X-rays
o CT scans
 o ultrasounds
o MRI scans
Colonoscopy

Signs and Symptoms

diarrhea with blood
steatorrhea
abdominal pain
ulceration of the lining of intestines
fever
anorexia
weight loss

Complication/s
amoebic liver abscess

Treatment/s

a 10-day course of metronidazole (Flagyl) given by mouth

surgery may be necessary if the colon or peritoneal tissues have
perforations.

Prevention

Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

Avoid eating fruits or vegetables unless you wash and peel them yourself.
Stick to bottled water and soft drinks.
If you must drink water, boil it or treat it with iodine.
Avoid ice cubes or fountain drinks.
Avoid milk, cheese, or other unpasteurized dairy products.
Avoid food sold by street vendors.
frequent handwashing especially when :
o After going to the toilet (and after changing nappies or helping an
older child to go to the toilet).
o Before preparing or touching food or drinks.
o Before eating.
 Typhoid Fevers Disease Information

Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection transmitted by contaminated water, milk,

shellfish and other foods that contain Salmonella typhi. It is an infection of the Gastro
Intestinal Tract affecting the lymphoid tissues of the small intestines called PEYERS
PATCHES. The disease has received various names such as gastric fever, enteric fever,
abdominal typhus, slow fever, nervous fever, and phytogenic fever

Causative Agent/s
Salmonella typhi

Risk Factor/s

people who have traveled to tropical locations with poor sanitation

immigrants from tropical countries with poor sanitary conditions
people who live in institutions with poor sanitary conditions, such as prisons
people with compromised immune systems and other health conditions
Have close contact with someone who is infected.
ingesting the following when travelling to areas with poor sanitation:
o tap water
o watered down fruit juices (for example, fruit juices that may be sold in
the street)
o ice cream
o ice cubes
o shellfish
o eggs
o salads
o raw or undercooked meat
o fruit that has already been peeled
o Mmayonnaise or sauces

Diagnostic Test/s
Culture and sensitivity
o stool samples
Signs and Symptoms
Onset
o headache, chilly sensation and aching all over the body
o During the 4th and 5th days, all symptoms are at their worst.
o Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
o Fever is higher in the morning than in the afternoon
o Breathing is accelerated, the tongue furred, the skin dry and hot, and
the abdomen distended and tender
o Rose spots appear on the abdominal wall on the 7th to the 9th days.
o G. on the second week, sx become more aggravated. Temperature
becomes stable. Rose spots become more prominent
Typhoid state
o Symptoms decline in severity.
o The tongue protrudes, becoming dry and brown
o Teeth and lips accumulate a dirty-brown collection of dried mucus
and bacteria known as sordes.
o Patient seems to be staring blankly (coma vigil )
o Twitching the tendons sets in, especially those of the wrist.
o patient mutters deliriously and picks up aimlessly at bedclothes with
his fingers in a continuous fashion
o there is a constant tendency for the patient to slip down to the foot
part of the bed.
o in severe cases rambling delirium sets in, often ending death.
o
Complication/s
Hemmorhage or perforation
Peritonitis
Bronchitis and pneumonia
Meteorism or excessive distention of the bowels
Intestinal bleeding

Treatment/s
Ciprofloxacine
Ceftriaxone
Ampicilin
Co-trimoxazole
Prevention

Thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

Avoid eating fruits or vegetables unless you wash and peel them yourself.
Stick to bottled water and soft drinks.
If you must drink water, boil it or treat it with iodine.
Avoid ice cubes or fountain drinks.
Avoid milk, cheese, or other unpasteurized dairy products.
Avoid food sold by street vendors.
frequent handwashing especially when :
o After going to the toilet (and after changing nappies or helping an
older child to go to the toilet).
o Before preparing or touching food or drinks.
o Before eating.

Submitted by:

VENNE JACK D. BANGCOYO

Student

Submitted to:

HONEY RHOEY ROMERO, RN

Clinical Instructor