Introduction to 7 common infectious diseases in southeast Asia

  Introduction to 7 common infectious diseases in southeast Asia

 

Infectious diseases can haunt you anytime, anywhere. Its transmission is very simple, so you should be more aware of the possibility of infection. Learn about the different types of infectious diseases common in southeast Asia, their symptoms, and how to prevent them.

Infectious diseases are usually caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi. There are two routes for the spread of infectious diseases, namely direct and indirect transmission.

Direct transmission occurs through physical contact with sick people, such as touch, or bodily fluids such as urine and blood. Meanwhile, indirect transmission can occur when touching the face area after touching contaminated items such as doorknobs and water taps.

Furthermore, infectious diseases can also be transmitted through animal bites or physical contact with animal body fluids, or through food and drink contaminated with pathogenic microbes.

Common infectious diseases in southeast Asia

Infectious diseases tend to be more at risk of causing infections in people with weak immune systems. Transmission of this disease can also increase at certain times, such as during the rainy season or during floods.

Below are some types of infectious diseases along with their symptoms and signs:

1. Acute respiratory infection (ARI)

Respiratory infections can affect the nose, throat, airways, and lungs. ARI disease is usually characterized by the appearance of symptoms such as:

• Heat
• Sore throat
• Pain when swallowing
• Dry cough or phlegm
• catch a cold

This condition is caused not only by viruses but also by bacteria. ARI caused by a viral infection usually improves within 3-14 days. If it is caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it.

ARI can be prevented in several ways, such as following a balanced and nutritious diet, always washing your hands, and giving the flu shot. Also, pay attention to the cough and sneeze label and use a mask to prevent viruses and bacteria from infecting others.

2. COVID-19

This highly contagious disease is caused by the coronavirus. COVID-19 can cause cold-like symptoms such as fever, dry cough, runny nose, and shortness of breath.

These symptoms usually appear 2 days or 2 weeks after a person is infected with the virus that causes them. In severe cases, COVID-19 can even cause the person to stop breathing and even die.

One of the most important preventive measures is vaccination. Various types of COVID-19 vaccines are currently available. The vaccine can not only protect you from exposure to the Coronavirus but also alleviate the symptoms that can occur when you get infected.

3. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is characterized by bowel movements more than three times a day with loose stools and is accompanied by heartburn. In some conditions, diarrhea can also be accompanied by blood or mucus.

Diarrhea is often taken for granted. Indeed, this disease can lead to death, especially in young children. Diarrhea can be transmitted through water, soil, or food contaminated with viruses, bacteria, or parasites. As in the case of ARI, prevention of diarrhea can be achieved by washing hands properly and correctly, washing food ingredients before they are processed into dishes, and making sure that the food consumed is perfectly cooked. Children can be vaccinated against rotavirus to prevent transmission of the disease.

4. Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis or tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that infect the lungs. However, the bacteria can also infect other parts of the body, such as the bones, joints, lining of the brain (tuberculous meningitis), lymph nodes (tuberculous glands), and lining of the heart.

The bacteria that cause this infectious disease are known to be airborne when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The prevention of tuberculosis infection can be prevented by administering the BCG vaccine.

5 Dengue fever

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by infection with the dengue virus. This virus infects humans through the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

Dengue fever is a common seasonal disease in tropical countries, including southeast Asia. This infectious disease is more common during the rainy season. If left untreated, dengue fever can develop into a more serious condition, namely dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

Prevention of dengue transmission can be achieved by implementing 3M plus, which includes: emptying water tanks, closing water containers, burying used items, using mosquito repellent lotions, using mosquito nets while sleeping, and interrupting It is a habit of hanging clothes and planting plants that repel mosquitoes.

6. Worms

The worms cause hookworms, tapeworms, and pinworms that infect the intestines. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea, fatigue, and significant weight loss.

Worms can be transmitted through direct and indirect contact. For example, indirectly, when you touch an object containing worm eggs and then touch the eye, nose, and mouth area.

To avoid contracting this infectious disease, you should avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and remember to wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly before processing or eating them. Washing your hands before and after eating is also important to prevent intestinal worms.

7. Skin diseases

Scabies, ringworm, and leprosy are the most common infectious skin diseases. Transmission of this disease usually occurs due to a lack of personal and environmental hygiene.

The symptoms caused by each disease are different. With scurvy, symptoms can include itching, especially at night, rashes, scratching sores, and dry, thickened areas of the skin.

Meanwhile, with ringworm, the symptoms that appear are almost the same as in scabies, except ringworm, a circular rash appears on the skin area and hair loss occurs.

Just like scabies and ringworm, leprosy also affects an area of ​​the patient's skin and is characterized by patches that are white or lighter than the surrounding skin. Symptoms usually include muscle weakness and numbness, especially in the arms and legs, as well as eye and vision problems.