One serious obstacle to a country's progress is the poor health of its people, especially when there is a prevalence of infectious diseases says a renowned author.  Sickness not only put a toll on the nation's productivity; it also translates into financial loss, emotional and mental anxiety.

The Department of Health (DOH) cites three major causes of the occurrence and recurrence of infectious diseases among Filipinos:

• The use of contaminated food and water
• Lack of sanitary facilities.
• Poor personal hygiene.

According to the DOH, five of the most common hygiene-related diseases are prevalent in the country.  These diseases affect people if all ages.

The Six most common hygiene-related diseases are as follows:

1) Parasitism:  Mostly occurring on children, this is a type of disease where parasitic worms, such as roundworms, pinworms, tapeworms and hookworms infest the body, especially the intestinal tract.  Contact with soil or dirt that has the eggs of these worm is the most common cause of irritation, inflammation and destruction of the epithelial lining of the intestinal tract.  These results to abdominal pain, loss of appetite and weight, diarrhea and anemia

2) Typhoid Fever:  This infection is caused by organism called typhoid bacillus.  This organism enters the body through contaminated food, clothing, milk and water, and spread through body excretions, symptoms of the disease include body pains, headache,feeling exhaustion, chills and fever.  There is a consistent fever for more than two weeks, nose bleeding, and hemorrhage in the intestinal tract, liver or gallbladder.  Once the infection gets to the nervous system, the patient experiences extreme pain and delirium marked by confused speech and hallucinations.

3) Cholera/Diarrhea:  Diarrhea is the passing of loose watery stools three or more times a day.  It is caused by parasites or tiny germs that are ingested through the mouth.  Usually these organisms come from garbage, feces, contaminated food, milk or water, dirty utensils used for cooking or eating, and dirty hands.  Cholera on the other hand is caused by the ingestion of the vibrio cholerae bacteria.  It's manifestations are as the same as that of diarrhea though it is more serious as it also causes fever and vomiting.  Both diarrhea and cholera lead to rapid dehydration that often leads to death if not immediately cured.

4)  Tuberculosis:  This chronic disease, usually of the lungs, is caused by a germ called tubercle bacilli. Also known as TB.  A person with TB suffers from cough for two weeks or more with or without sputum; chest or back pains for one month or more.  Early  detection and treatment of this disease is imperative as discovery during it's advanced stage can render medication useless and cause eventual death.

5)  Hepatitis A:  This disease is characterized by the inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis A virus transmitted through contaminated food or water, feces or saliva.  Symptoms include the development of a yellowish tinge on the skin and eyes. abdominal pain, fever and vomiting.  This disease is highly contagious.  Seclusion and the use of a separate glass and utensils of the patient is necessary.

6)  AIDS.  Studies show that AIDS is fast becoming the largest killer of women between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four.  Most of then are partner of men who are bisexual or drug users.  But a growing number of Aids cases are reported among whose mates are straight and do not use drugs.  According to a medical doctor you can get AIDS through infected blood or semen, sharing needles and unprotected sex.

Resource:  Women's Journal

                  Woman Today