CDC’s Safety Guidelines for Outpatient Settings 2011

Posted by: Admin

Due to the huge increase of outpatient clinics, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a guide and checklist specifically for healthcare providers in outpatient care settings such as endoscopy clinics, surgery centers, primary care offices and pain management clinics. “Patients deserve the same basic levels of protection in a hospital or [...]

Erythema Infectiosum (Fifth Disease)

Posted by: Daisy Jane, RN, MN

Definition Erythema infectiosum or the “Fifth Disease” is an infectious disorder that affects children aging 2-12 years of age. The term “fifth disease” was based on the classification system for childhood rashes decades ago. Generally, the five frequent childhood rashes are the following: Measles (rubeola) Chickenpox (vaicella) German measles (rubella) Roseola Erythema Infectiosum (Parvovirus B19) [...]

Chlamydial Infection

Posted by: Lhynnelli, RN

Is a common sexual transmitted disease that occurs in women and men, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Women are asymptomatic or present with cervicitis. Men are commonly asymptomatic but may present with urethritis. Untreated chlamydial infections can lead to epididymitis, salphingitis, pelvic inflammatory disease and eventually sterility. Mode of Transmission The disease is transmitted [...]

What is Scabies

Posted by: Lhynnelli, RN

A communicable disease of the skin caused by Sarcopte Scabiei and characterized by the eruptive lesions produced from the burrowing of the parasite into the skin. Etiologic Agent The mite is yellowish-white and can barely be seen by unaided eye. The female parasite burrows beneath the epidermis to lay her eggs and sets up an [...]

Anthrax

Posted by: Lhynnelli, RN

Is a serious infection caused by the gram-positive, spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus anthracis. In industrialized nations, infection in human was all but nonexistent until the threat of bioterrorism became apparent in late 2001. Infection occurs through contact with infected animals, products from infected animals, and intentionally tainted materials. Anthrax is potential biologic weapon because spores can [...]

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

Posted by: Lhynnelli, RN

Herpes Zoster also known as Shingles is an acute viral infection of the sensory nerve caused by a variety of chickenpox virus. It is an inflammatory skin condition in which the varicella zoster virus produces a painful vesicular eruption along the nerve tracks leading from one or more dorsal root ganglia. After a primary chickenpox [...]

Bird Flu Virus

Posted by: Admin

Definition: Bird flu or Avian Influenza (A1) is a contagious disease of bird raging from mild to serve form of illness. Some forms of bird flu infections can cause illness to humans. Bird flu is caused by an influenza A virus. The outbreaks affecting some Asian countries have been caused by influenza A/H5N1 virus. It [...]

FAQ About Meningococccemia

Posted by: Admin

What is meningococcemia? Meningococcemia or meningococcal meningitis is an acute communicable infection caused by gram-negative bacteria. Neisseria meningitidis. There are several groups and sub-types of this organism. The bacteria are sensitive to sunlight and changes in temperature. They do not survive for 30 minutes. The disease usually occurs sporadically in the Philippines. Epidemics rarely occur. [...]

What You Need to Know About Swine Flu

Posted by: Admin

Definition: Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2) The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been [...]

AIDS/HIV

Posted by: Admin

Definition: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) This condition progressively reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors. The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms tends to [...]