learning Objectives - Describe the nursing management of patients with communicable diseases. Demonstrate skill in providing interventions for patients with communicable the nurse’s role in various national control/ Eradication Programme of communicable diseases.
Hours - 10
Teaching and Learning Activities - Lecture cum discussion Role play Participate in immunisation campaign
Assessment Methods - Short answer Objective type Essay type Assessment with clinical checklist
Content of the chapter
a) Assessment
– History
– Physical examination
– Diagnostic tests
b) Review of infection, mode of transmission,
its prevention and control
c) Preparation, care and administration of anti
sera and vaccinesIsolation,
d) Management of various infection diseases
caused by Virus;
– Measles
– Chicken pox
– Swine flu
– Ebola
– Dengue
– Chicken guinea
– Influenza
– Mumps
– Encephalitis
– Infective hepatitis
– Poliomyelitis
– Rabies
– AIDS
Caused by Bacteria;
– Diphtheria
– Whooping cough
– Tetanus
– Typhoid
– Dysentery
– Gastroenteritis
– Cholera
– Meningococcal Meningitis
– Tuberculosis
– Plague
– Leptospirosis
Vector borne diseases;
– Malaria
– Filariasis
– Yellow fever
– Dengue
– Any other prevailing diseases
e) Alternate therapies
f) Drugs used in treatment of communicable
disorders
Nursing Management of Patients with Communicable Diseases
Communicable diseases are infections that can spread from one person to another via direct contact, airborne droplets, vectors, or contaminated food/water. Nursing care focuses on assessment, infection prevention, treatment support, vaccination, isolation, patient education, and rehabilitation.
a) Assessment
History
- Onset, duration, and progression of symptoms
- Exposure history: recent travel, contact with infected individuals, vaccination status
- Past medical history and chronic illnesses
- Risk factors: occupation, hygiene, living conditions
Physical Examination
- General condition: fever, fatigue, pallor, dehydration
- Skin and mucous membranes: rashes, ulcers, jaundice
- Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate
- Organ-specific examination depending on the disease
Diagnostic Tests
- Blood tests (CBC, serology, viral load, liver function)
- Microbiological cultures (throat, stool, urine)
- Imaging (chest X-ray for TB, ultrasound for hepatitis complications)
- PCR/rapid antigen tests for viral infections
b) Review of Infection, Mode of Transmission, Prevention, and Control
- Modes of Transmission:
- Direct contact: skin lesions, body fluids
- Airborne: respiratory droplets, aerosols
- Vector-borne: mosquitoes, ticks, flies
- Fecal-oral: contaminated food or water
- Prevention:
- Hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Vaccination programs
- Safe food and water practices
- Vector control measures
- Control:
- Isolation of infected patients
- Contact tracing
- Reporting to public health authorities
c) Preparation, Care, and Administration of Antisera and Vaccines
- Antisera: passive immunity for diseases like rabies
- Check dosage, route, site, and patient reaction
- Vaccines: active immunity for prevention of diseases (measles, polio, influenza)
- Maintain cold chain
- Educate patients about benefits and possible side effects
- Isolation: prevent cross-infection, particularly for airborne and contact-transmitted diseases
d) Management of Infectious Diseases
1. Viral Diseases
- Measles: high fever, Koplik spots, rash; care: supportive, isolation, vitamin A supplementation
- Chickenpox: itchy vesicular rash; care: antihistamines, acyclovir in severe cases, isolation
- Swine flu/Influenza: fever, cough; care: antivirals (oseltamivir), hydration, respiratory support
- Ebola: hemorrhagic fever; care: strict isolation, fluid and electrolyte management
- Dengue: fever, bleeding, thrombocytopenia; care: monitoring, hydration, platelet transfusion if needed
- Mumps: parotid swelling; care: analgesics, soft diet, isolation
- Encephalitis: neurological involvement; care: antivirals, seizure precautions, supportive care
- Infective hepatitis: jaundice, fatigue; care: supportive therapy, liver function monitoring
- Poliomyelitis: paralysis; care: bed rest, physiotherapy, vaccination for prevention
- Rabies: neurological signs after animal bite; care: wound care, antisera, vaccination
- AIDS: immunodeficiency; care: ART therapy, infection prevention, psychosocial support
2. Bacterial Diseases
- Diphtheria: respiratory obstruction; care: antitoxin, antibiotics, airway management
- Whooping cough (Pertussis): severe cough; care: isolation, antibiotics, hydration
- Tetanus: muscle spasms; care: antitoxin, supportive care, wound care
- Typhoid: fever, GI symptoms; care: antibiotics, hydration, hygiene education
- Dysentery & Gastroenteritis: diarrhea, dehydration; care: rehydration therapy, antibiotics if indicated
- Cholera: profuse watery diarrhea; care: rapid rehydration, electrolyte replacement
- Meningococcal Meningitis: fever, neck stiffness; care: isolation, antibiotics, monitoring for complications
- Tuberculosis: chronic cough, weight loss; care: DOTS therapy, infection control
- Plague & Leptospirosis: zoonotic infections; care: antibiotics, isolation
3. Vector-Borne Diseases
- Malaria: fever, chills; care: antimalarials, hydration, mosquito control
- Filariasis: elephantiasis; care: diethylcarbamazine, hygiene, skin care
- Yellow fever & Dengue: vaccination for prevention, supportive care
e) Alternate Therapies
- Nutritional support and herbal supplements for immunity
- Hydration therapy with ORS for diarrheal diseases
- Physiotherapy for post-polio or neurological sequelae
- Yoga and relaxation to improve immunity and reduce stress
f) Drugs Used in Treatment of Communicable Diseases
- Antivirals: acyclovir, oseltamivir, ribavirin
- Antibacterials: amoxicillin, azithromycin, ceftriaxone
- Antimalarials: chloroquine, artemisinin derivatives
- Antifungals: fluconazole, amphotericin B (for opportunistic infections)
- Vaccines: MMR, polio, influenza, hepatitis B, rabies
- Supportive drugs: analgesics, antipyretics, antiemetics, hydration therapy
Conclusion
Nursing management of communicable diseases emphasizes:
- Early assessment and diagnosis
- Infection prevention and control (hand hygiene, isolation, PPE)
- Supportive care (hydration, nutrition, symptom management)
- Administration of vaccines and antisera
- Patient education and community health awareness
Proper nursing care reduces transmission, prevents complications, and promotes recovery, contributing to public health safety.