IMPORTANT DISEASES

 IMPORTANT TERMS
 Disease – any deviation from, or interruption of, the normal structure or function of any body
part, organ, or system that is manifested by a characteristic set of signs
 Infection – invasion and multiplication of parasitic organisms within the body.
 Pathogen – any virus, microorganism, or other substance causing disease.
 Sign – an indication of the existence of something; any objective evidence of a disease
 Symptom – is the subjective experience of a potential health issue, which cannot be observed by
a doctor.
 Syndrome – a set of symptoms occurring together; the sum of signs of any morbid (disease)
state.
 Acute – a condition that comes on suddenly, often with severe but short lived symptoms
 Chronic – any condition that lasts a long time or recurs over time
1. HIV/AIDS
 Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus.
  Following initial infection a person may not notice any symptoms, or may experience a brief period
of influenza-like illness. Typically, this is followed by a prolonged period with no symptoms.
 If the infection progresses, it interferes more with the immune system, increasing the risk of
developing common infections, as well as other opportunistic infections, and tumors which are
otherwise rare in people who have normal immune function

 HIV

 HIV is a virus that damages the immune system. Untreated HIV affects and kills CD4 cells, which are a
type of immune cell called T cell

 ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF HIV

 HIV crossed from chimpanzes to humans in 1920’s in what is now the DR Congo. This was probably
as a result of chimps carrying the Simian Immunodefeciency Virus (SIV) a virus closely related to
HIV being hunted and eaten by people living in the area
  Up until the 1980s, we do not know how many people were infected with HIV or developed AIDS

 While sporadic cases of AIDS were documented prior to 1970, available data suggests that the current
epidemic started in the mid- to late 1970s.

 By 1980, HIV may have already spread to five continents (North America, South America, Europe,
Africa and Australia). 
 STAGES OF HIV INFECTION

There are three stages of HIV infection:

1. Acute HIV Infection

 Acute HIV infection is the earliest stage of HIV infection, and it generally develops within 2 to 4
weeks after infection with HIV. During this time, some people have flu-like symptoms, such as
fever, headache, and rash.
 In the acute stage of infection, HIV multiplies rapidly and spreads throughout the body.
 During the acute HIV infection stage, the level of HIV in the blood is very high, which greatly
increases the risk of HIV transmission

2. Chronic HIV Infection

 The second stage of HIV infection is chronic HIV infection (also called asymptomatic HIV
infection or clinical latency). During this stage, HIV continues to multiply in the body but at very
low levels.
 People with chronic HIV infection may not have any HIV-related symptoms. Without ART,
chronic HIV infection usually advances to AIDS in 10 years or longer, though in some people it
may advance faster.
 While it is still possible to transmit HIV to others during this stage, people who take ART exactly
as prescribed have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to an HIV-negative partner
3. AIDS 

 AIDS is the final, most severe stage of HIV infection. Because HIV has severely damaged the
immune system, the body can’t fight off opportunistic infections. (Opportunistic infections are
infections and infection-related cancers that occur more frequently or are more severe in people
with weakened immune systems than in people with healthy immune systems.)
 People with HIV are diagnosed with AIDS if they have a CD4 count is less than 200
cells/mm3 or if they have certain opportunistic infections.
 Once a person is diagnosed with AIDS, they can have a high viral load and are able to transmit
HIV to others very easily. Without treatment, people with AIDS typically survive about 3 years.
VVVV

 SYMPTOMS OF HIV
o Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection with HIV, about two-thirds of people will have a
flu-like illness. This is the body’s natural response to HIV infection. 
o Flu-like symptoms can include:
  Fever
 Chills
 Rash
 Night sweats
 Muscle aches
 Sore throat
 Fatigue
 Swollen lymph nodes
 Mouth ulcers
 SYMPTOMS OF AIDS

o Rapid weight loss

o Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
o Extreme and unexplained tiredness
o Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
o Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
o Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
o Pneumonia
o Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose,
or eyelids
o Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic disorders

 TRANSMISSION OF HIV

 Sexual contact - HIV is spread most commonly by sexual contact with an infected
partner.

 Blood contamination - HIV may also be spread through contact with infected blood.
However, due to the screening of blood for evidence of HIV infection, the risk of
acquiring HIV from blood transfusions is extremely low.

 Needles - HIV is frequently spread by sharing needles, syringes, or drug use equipment
with someone who is infected with the virus

 Mother-infant - HIV also can be spread to babies born to, or breastfed by, mothers
infected with the virus.

 DIAGNOSIS
 Antibody/antigen tests
o Antibody/antigen tests are the most commonly used tests.
o These tests check the blood for antibodies and antigens
 Antibody tests
 These tests check the blood solely for antibodies. Between 29 to 30 days
  Nucleic acid test (NAT)
o This expensive test isn’t used for general screening. It’s for people who have early
symptoms of HIV or have a known risk factor. This test doesn’t look for antibodies; it
looks for the virus itself.
o It takes from 5 to 21 days for HIV to be detectable in the blood.
 TREATMENT OPTIONS


There is no cure for HIV infection, but it can be treated with medicines. This is called
antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART can make HIV infection a manageable chronic
condition. It also reduces the risk of spreading the virus to others.
 Making sure that you have the support you need, living a healthy lifestyle, and getting regular
medical care can help you enjoy a better quality of life.
 PREVENTION
 Getting tested for HIV
 Choosing less risky sexual behaviors.
 Getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
 Not injecting drugs
 Talking to your health care provider about medicines to prevent HIV:
o PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is for people who don't already have HIV but are at
very high risk of getting it. PrEP is daily medicine that can reduce this risk.
o PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is for people who have possibly been exposed to HIV.
It is only for emergency situations. PEP must be started within 72 hours after a possible
exposure to HIV.
POLIOMYELITIS
 Other names:- infantile paralysis, Heine-Medin disease
 Poliomyelitis, commonly shortened to polio, is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus.
  In about 0.5 percent of cases, it moves from the gut to affect the central nervous system and there
is muscle weakness.  The weakness most often involves the legs, but may less commonly involve the
muscles of the head, neck and diaphragm.
 POLIOVIRUS
 Poliovirus is composed of an RNA genome and a protein capsid. The genome is a single-stranded
positive-sense RNA (+ssRNA) genome
 TYPES OF POLIOVIRUS
I. PV-1 most common form in nature and is highly localized in Pakistan and Afghanistan
II. PV-2 declared readicated in sept 2005 after last detected in 1999
III. PV-3 eradicated in 2019 after last being detected in 2012

 TYPES OF POLIOMYELITIS

 Abortive poliomyelitis: The mildest form.

 Nonparalytic poliomyelitis: Symptoms are more severe than abortive, but not as bad as paralytic.
 Paralytic poliomyelitis:The most severe; may result in permanent paralysis of certain muscle groups,
including breathing muscles and leg muscles.

 SINGS AND SYMPTOMS

 For abortive poliomyelitis

o fever (up to 103º F)
o decreased appetite
o nausea and/or vomiting
o sore throat
o not feeling well
o constipation
o abdominal pain

 For nonparalytic poliomyelitis

o headache, nausea and vomiting may be worse
o child may feel sick for a couple of days, then appear to improve before getting sick again
o pain of the muscles in the neck, trunk, arms, and legs
o stiffness in the neck and along the spine

 For paralytic poliomyelitis

o the symptoms of nonparalytic and abortive poliomyelitis
o muscle weakness all over
o severe constipation
o weakened breathing
o difficulty swallowing
o weak cough
 o flushed or blotchy skin
o hoarse voice
o bladder paralysis
o muscle paralysis

 ROUTE OF TRANSMISSION
 Highly contagious via fecal route
 Seasonal in temperate climates with peak transmission in summer and autumn
 Less commonly, through contaminated food and water. 
 DIAGNOSIS
  Physical examination to look for impaired reflexes, back and neck stiffness, or difficulty lifting
head while lying flat.
 Lab tests will test a sample of throat, stool, or cerebrospinal fluid for the poliovirus.
 SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT
 bed rest
 painkillers
 antispasmodic drugs to relax muscle
 antibiotics for urinary tract infection
 portable ventilators to help with breathing
 physical therapy or corrective braces to help with walking
 heating pads or warm towels to ease muscle aches and spasms
 physical therapy to treat pain in the affected muscles and address breathing and pulmonary
problems
 pulmonary rehabilitation to increase lung endurance
 In advanced cases of leg weakness, you may need a wheelchair or other mobility device.
 PREVENTION
 The most effective prevention is vaccination
o OPV0 at birth
o OPV1 6 week
o OPV2 10 weeks
o OPV3 14 week
 IPV

o 2 months
o 4 months
o Between 6 and 18 months
o Between ages 4 and 6
 POST POLIO SYNDROME
It’s possible for polio to return even after you’ve recovered. This can occur after 15 to 40 years.
Common symptoms of post-polio syndrome (PPS) are:

 continuing muscle and joint weakness and muscle pain that gets worse
 becoming easily exhausted or fatigued
  muscle wasting, also called muscle atrophy
 trouble breathing and swallowing
 sleep apnea, or sleep-related breathing problems
 low tolerance of cold temperatures
 new onset of weakness in previously uninvolved muscles
 depression and trouble with concentration and memory
MALARIA

 Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites. The parasites are spread to people through the bites of
infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, called "malaria vectors." There are 4 parasite species that
cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species – P. falciparum and P. vivax – pose the greatest
threat.

 In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide.

 The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409 000 in 2019.
 Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2019, they
accounted for 67% (274 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.

 SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA
 Malaria symptoms usually appear 10 days to one month after the person was infected.
 Signs of malaria are similar to flu symptoms. They include:

o Fever and sweating.
o Chills that shake the whole body.
o Headache and muscle aches.
o Fatigue.
o Chest pain, breathing problems and cough.
o Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

 As malaria progresses, it can cause anemia and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the

eyes).

 CAUSES

 Malaria is caused by a single-celled parasite of the genus plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted
to humans most commonly through mosquito bites.

 Mosquito transmission cycle

o Uninfected mosquito. A mosquito becomes infected by feeding on a person who has

malaria.
o Transmission of parasite. If this mosquito bites you in the future, it can transmit malaria
parasites to you.
o In the liver. Once the parasites enter your body, they travel to your liver — where some
types can lie dormant for as long as a year.
 o Into the bloodstream. When the parasites mature, they leave the liver and infect your
red blood cells. This is when people typically develop malaria symptoms.
o On to the next person. If an uninfected mosquito bites you at this point in the cycle, it
will become infected with your malaria parasites and can spread them to the other people
it bites.
 Other modes of transmission

Because the parasites that cause malaria affect red blood cells, people can also catch malaria from
exposure to infected blood, including:

 From mother to unborn child

 Through blood transfusions
 By sharing needles used to inject drugs

 DIAGNOSIS OF MALARIA

 Rapid diagnostic test. Also called RDT or antigen testing. Blood taken from a prick on finger is
put on a test strip that changes color to show whether you have malaria or not.
 Molecular test.  It can identify the type of parasite, which helps your doctor decide which drugs
to prescribe.
 Antibody test. Doctors use this to find out if you've had malaria in the past. It looks
for antibodies that show up in the blood after an infection.

 TREATMENT

Malaria is treated with prescription drugs to kill the parasite. The types of drugs and the length of
treatment will vary, depending on:

 type of malaria parasite

 severity of symptoms
 age
 pregnancy
Medications

The most common antimalarial drugs include:

 Chloroquine phosphate. Chloroquine is the preferred treatment for any parasite that is sensitive
to the drug. But in many parts of the world, parasites are resistant to chloroquine.
 Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). ACT is a combination of two or more drugs
that work against the malaria parasite in different ways. This is usually the preferred treatment for
chloroquine-resistant malaria. Examples include Coartem
Other common antimalarial drugs include:

 Quinine sulfate (Qualaquin) with doxycycline ( Vibramycin, others)

 PREVENTION

 Cover your skin. Wear pants and long-sleeved shirts. Tuck in your shirt, and tuck pant legs into
socks.
 Apply insect repellent to skin. Use an insect repellent registered with the Environmental
Protection Agency on any exposed skin.
 Apply repellent to clothing. Sprays containing permethrin are safe to apply to clothing.
 Sleep under a net. Bed nets, particularly those treated with insecticides, such as permethrin, help
prevent mosquito bites while you are sleeping.

 COMPLICATION

 Cerebral malaria. If parasite-filled blood cells block small blood vessels to your brain (cerebral
malaria), swelling of your brain or brain damage may occur. Cerebral malaria may cause seizures
and coma.
 Breathing problems. Accumulated fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema) can make it difficult
to breathe.
 Organ failure. Malaria can damage the kidneys or liver or cause the spleen to rupture. Any of
these conditions can be life-threatening.
 Anemia. Malaria may result in not having enough red blood cells for an adequate supply of
oxygen to your body's tissues (anemia).
 Low blood sugar. Severe forms of malaria can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as can
quinine — a common medication used to combat malaria. Very low blood sugar can result in
coma or death.

DENGUE

 DENGUE VIRUS
 Dengue virus (DENV) is the cause of dengue fever. It is a mosquito-borne, single positive-
stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae; genus Flavivirus
 Four serotypes of the virus have been found all of which can cause the full spectrum of disease

 DENGUE FEVER (break bone fever)

 Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically
begin three to fourteen days after infection.
  These may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin
rash. Recovery generally takes two to seven days.
 In a small proportion of cases, the disease develops into a more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever,
resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock
syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs.
 Dengue is spread by several species of female mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, principally Aedes
aegypti.

 DIAGNOSIS OF DENGUE FEVER

 Complete Blood test shows low levels of WBC and platelets
 Plasma leaakages resulting in hemoconcentration and hypoalbuminia
 MANAGEMENT
 There are no specific antiviral drugs for dengue; however, maintaining proper fluid balance is
important.
  Treatment depends on the symptoms. Those who can drink, are passing urine, and are
otherwise healthy can be managed at home with daily follow-up and oral rehydration therapy.
  Those who have other health problems, should be cared for in hospital.
 In those with severe dengue care should be provided in an area where there is access to
an intensive care unit.
 Medication paracetamol, NSAIDS
 Blood transfusions in people presenting with unstable vital sings
 HEPAPTITIS

 Inflammation of liver caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, drugs, alcohol, autoimmunity and other
factors
 SINGS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEPAPTITIS

 Signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis appear quickly. They include:

o fatigue
o flu-like symptoms
o dark urine
o pale stool
o abdominal pain
o loss of appetite
 o unexplained weight loss
o yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice

 Chronic hepatitis develops slowly, so these signs and symptoms may be too subtle to notice.

 DIAGNSOSIS

 History and physical exam To diagnose hepatitis, first your doctor will take your history to
determine any risk factors you may have for infectious or noninfectious hepatitis. During a
physical examination, your doctor may press down gently on your abdomen to see if there’s pain
or tenderness. Your doctor may also feel to see if your liver is enlarged. If your skin or eyes are
yellow, your doctor will note this during the exam.

 Liver function tests Liver function tests use blood samples to determine how efficiently your
liver works.

 Other blood tests If your liver function tests are abnormal, your doctor will likely order other
blood tests to detect the source of the problem. These tests can check for the viruses that cause
hepatitis.

 PREVENTION

 Hygiene Practicing good hygiene is one key way to avoid contracting hepatitis A and E.

 Hepatitis B, C, and D contracted through contaminated blood can be prevented by:

o not sharing drug needles

o not sharing razors
o not using someone else’s toothbrush
o not touching spilled blood

VACCINES
The use of vaccines is an important key to preventing hepatitis. Vaccinations are available to prevent the
development of hepatitis A and B. Experts are currently developing vaccines against hepatitis C. A
vaccination for hepatitis E exists in China, but it isn’t available in the United States.

DIARRHEA

 Diarrhea — loose, watery and possibly more-frequent bowel movements — is a common problem.
o acute watery diarrhoea – lasts several hours or days, and includes cholera
o acute bloody diarrhoea – also called dysentery
o Persistent diarrhoea – lasts 14 days or longer.

 SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms associated with diarrhea may include:

 Loose, watery stools

 Abdominal cramps
 Fever
 Blood or/and mucus in the stool
 Bloating
 Nausea
 Urgent need to have a bowel movement
 CAUSES

A number of diseases and conditions can cause diarrhea, including

 Viruses. Viruses that can cause diarrhea. Rotavirus is a common cause of acute childhood
diarrhea. The virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also been associated with
gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
 Bacteria and parasites. Contaminated food or water can transmit bacteria and parasites to your
body. When traveling in developing countries, diarrhea caused by bacteria and parasites is often
called traveler's diarrhea.
 Medications. Many medications, such as antibiotics, can cause diarrhea.
 Lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. People who have
difficulty digesting lactose have diarrhea after eating dairy products.
  Fructose. Fructose is a sugar found naturally in fruits and honey. It's sometimes added as a
sweetener to certain beverages. In people who have trouble digesting fructose, it can lead to
diarrhea.
 Artificial sweeteners. Sorbitol and mannitol — artificial sweeteners found in chewing gum and
other sugar-free products — can cause diarrhea in some otherwise healthy people.
 Other digestive disorders. Chronic diarrhea has a number of other causes, such as Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, microscopic colitis and irritable bowel syndrome

 DIAGNOSIS

 Blood test. A complete blood count test can help indicate what's causing your diarrhea.
 Stool test. Your doctor might recommend a stool test to see if a bacterium or parasite is causing
your diarrhea.
 Flexible colonoscopy. Using a thin, lighted tube that's inserted in your rectum, your doctor can
see inside your colon. 
 TREATMENT
Most cases of diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. If you've tried
lifestyle changes and home remedies for diarrhea without success, your doctor might recommend
medications or other treatments.

 Antibiotics Antibiotics might help treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing
your diarrhea, antibiotics won't help.
 Treatment to replace fluids Your doctor likely will advise you to replace the fluids and salts. For
most adults, that means drinking water, juice or broth. If drinking liquids upsets your stomach or
causes vomiting, your doctor might recommend getting IV fluids
 Adjusting medications you're taking If your doctor determines that an antibiotic caused your
diarrhea, he or she might lower your dose or switch to another medication.
 Treating underlying conditions If your diarrhea is caused by a more serious condition, such as
inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor will work to control that condition. You might be referred to
a specialist, such as a gastroenterologist, who can help devise a treatment plan for you.

 PREVENTION
 CORONA VIRUS

 Coronaviruses are a group of related RNA viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds.

 In humans and birds, they cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal.
 Mild illnesses in humans include some cases of the common cold (which is also caused by
other viruses, predominantly rhinoviruses), while more lethal varieties can cause SARS, MERS,
and COVID-19.
 In cows and pigs they cause diarrhea, while in mice they cause hepatitis and encephalomyelitis.
 The name "coronavirus" is derived from Latin corona, meaning "crown" or "wreath", itself a
borrowing from Greek κορώνη korṓnē, "garland, wreath"
COVID-19
 The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global
pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
 The virus was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The World Health
Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern regarding COVID-19
on 30 January 2020, and later declared a pandemic on 11 March 2020.
 As of 9 June 2021, more than 174 million cases have been confirmed, with more than
3.74 million confirmed deaths attributed to COVID-19, making it one of the deadliest pandemics
in history.

STRUCTURE OF VIRION
 DIAGNOSIS OF COVID 19
 The standard methods of testing for presence of SARS-CoV-2 are nucleic acid tests, which
detects the presence of viral RNA fragments.The test is typically done on respiratory samples
obtained by a nasopharyngeal swab; however, a nasal swab or sputum sample may also be
used. Results are generally available within hours.
 Chest CT scans may be helpful to diagnose COVID-19 in individuals with a high clinical
suspicion of infection but are not recommended for routine screening.
 TREATMENT
 There is no specific, effective treatment or cure for  COVID-19Thus, the cornerstone of management
of COVID-19 is supportive care, which includes treatment to relieve symptoms, fluid
therapy, oxygen support and prone positioning as needed, and medications or devices to support other
affected vital organs.

 Most cases of COVID-19 are mild. In these, supportive care includes medication such
as paracetamol or NSAIDs to relieve symptoms (fever, body aches, and cough), proper intake of
fluids, rest, and nasal breathing. Good personal hygiene and a healthy diet are also recommended.
 People with more severe cases may need treatment in hospital
 PREVENTION
 Preventive measures to reduce the chances of infection include getting vaccinated, staying at home,
wearing a mask in public, avoiding crowded places, keeping distance from others, ventilating indoor
spaces, managing potential exposure durations, washing hands with soap and water often and for at
least twenty seconds, practising good respiratory hygiene, and avoiding touching the eyes, nose, or
mouth with unwashed hands.