Appropriate Preventive and Control Measures for Common Infections and Diseases

 



CHOLERA

Prevention of Cholera

a.       Wash hands after visiting toilet or latrine

b.      Food should be well cooked and drinking water should be boiled and well filtered

c.       Hands should be washed before and after eating

d.      Food should be well covered

e.       Utensils should be washed thoroughly

f.       Maintain general environmental cleanliness

 


Control of Cholera

a.       The infected person should be isolated

b.      Special precautions should be taken when handling the infected person

c.       Vaccination is possible

 

Treatment

a.       The disease can be treated by using antibiotics such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol 

b.      Administering rehydration salt solutions

 

Effects

a.   May lead to death

b.   Extra medical expense 

c.   Failure to perform daily activities

 

MALARIA

Prevention and control of malaria

a.      Spraying insecticides to destroy adult mosquitoes

b.      Introducing fish eating mosquito into stagnant water e.g. Gambusia that feed on mosquito larvae.

c.       Draining stagnant water to remove the breeding sites for mosquitoes

d.      Use of mosquito nets to prevent mosquitoes from biting people 

e.       Screening the windows with mosquito-proof wire-mesh to prevent entry of mosquitoes in the house through the windows.

f.       Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers to prevent mosquito bites.

g.      Mosquito larvae and pupa can be killed by spraying oil into stagnant water that cannot be drained.

h.      Taking regular weekly doses of preventive drugs to kill parasites on entry.

i.        Cutting bushes around the houses to destroy shelter for mosquitoes

j.        Using mosquito repellents to flee away the mosquitoes


Treatment

Antimalarial drugs can be used to treat the disease e.g. quinine, fansidar, mefloquine, chloroquine, etc.

 

Effects 

a.       Can cause death

b.      Can lead to mental confusion in case of cerebral malaria 

c.       Paralysis and unconsciousness

d.      Drowsiness

e.       Anemia

f.       Miscarriage

g.      Inability to participate in economic activities

h.      Increased medical expenses


TYPHOID

Prevention and control of Typhoid

a.       Wash hands after visiting the toilet

b.      Food and water must be protected from dust and flies

c.       Wash hands before and after eating

d.      Drink boiled water and eat properly cooked food; fruits should be washed thoroughly before being eaten.

e.       Vaccination can also help to control the disease


Treatment: 

The disease can  be  treated by using  antibiotics such as tetracycline, chloramphenicol, etc.

 

Effects

a.       Can cause death

b.      May cause ulcers and finally rupture of the intestine

c.       Enlarged spleen

 

T.B

Prevention and control of T.B

a.       Elimination of the conditions under which TB thrives e.g. overcrowding, poverty level living and inadequate nutrition.

b.      Observing general personal hygiene, especially when coughing and sneezing.

c.       Early BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) Vaccine.

         The Vaccine may be used for either of two reasons:

                 (i) Protecting newly-born babies or children at particular risk of infection.

                 (ii) Immunization of young persons or at risk groups in the community.

d.      Keeping children, in particular, away from risk situations.

e.       The use of sterilized milk and pasteurized dairy products

f.       Contact tracing so that risk to others may be minimized


Treatment: 

Antibiotics such as streptomycin can be used to cure the disease.

 

Effects of T.B

a.       Causes a number of deaths.

b.      Abscess full of pus may form near the lump in the spine.

c.       Shortening and thickening of the chest in case of TB of the spine.