Read Aloud the Text Content

This audio was created by Woord's Text to Speech service by content creators from all around the world.

Text Content or SSML code:

Communicable diseases are one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines. Among the top causes of death in the country is COVID-19, a communicable disease, with thousands of deaths since its onset. Fortunately, communicable diseases can be prevented through vaccination. Here are five prevalent communicable diseases in the Philippines and their vaccinations and medications: Dengue was first recorded in 992 and was described as “water poison” due to its association with flying insects. The first Dengue epidemics were recognized during the 1780 in Asia, Africa, and North America. The first severe case of dengue, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, was first documented in Thailand and the Philippines in the 1950s. The notable symptoms of dengue are Body aches and pain, Rashes, Vomiting blood, and bloody stool. The virus enters the Aeges aegypti mosquito when it bites a person infected by the virus. When the infected mosquito bites a person, the virus enters the bloodstream. The first dengue vaccine to be licensed is Dengvaxia. It is approved for use in children ages 9 to 16 who have a previous history of laboratory-confirmed dengue infection. Polio epidemics began in the 19th century in the form of outbreaks in Scandinavian countries The highest incidence of Polio in the Philippines was in 1977 with 1454 cases. After intense immunization, the country was declared Polio-free in 2000. However, after 19 years, another Polio outbreak of 17 new cases occurred in the Philippines due to decreasing Polio vaccine coverage. Its severe symptoms include Paresthesia (or prickling sensation), Meningitis, and Paralysis. It is transmitted when feces or respiratory droplets of an infected individual enters the mouth. The inactivated polio vaccine is the only vaccine authorized for use in the US. The oral polio vaccine is available outside the US. Its doses may be given four to eight weeks apart to those who are allergic to inactivated polio vaccine, the population in an outbreak, and children traveling to high-risk areas. Its symptoms may also be reduced through physical therapy and mechanical breathing. The agent for Measles, the rubeola virus, evolved from a pathogen of cattle. Being a highly infectious disease, more than 47 thousand cases and 632 deaths by measles were recorded in the Philippines in 2019. Some notable symptoms of this disease are Red watery eyes, Sore throat, and White spots inside the mouth. It spreads from respiratory droplets of an infected person. A person gets infected by touching the face, nose, or mouth with a contaminated hand. MMR is the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella. Generally, children should receive their first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and their second dose at four to six years of age. MMRV is the vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). It is administered in two doses: one at 12 to 15 months and another at four to six years old. Its symptoms can also be regulated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen and vitamin A supplements. HIV was first documented in Los Angeles in June 1981. Simian immunodeficiency virus or SIV, which originated from a type of chimpanzee in Central Africa, was passed down onto humans when they consumed infected meat. In 2019, 97,000 people are estimated to have been infected by HIV in the Philippines. Its symptoms include Swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, mouth ulcers, and rashes. HIV is transmitted when there is direct contact with bodily fluids, like blood, semen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk, from a person with detectable HIV viral load. There are no available vaccines for HIV or AIDS yet. However, the Phase 1 of clinical trials testing three experimental HIV vaccines based on mRNA has already been launched. The study, HVTN 302, will test whether the following vaccines will elicit an immune response. Additionally, HIV count can be controlled through antiretroviral therapy which is undergone with antiretroviral drugs. COVID-19 was first documented in Wuhan, China and became the fifth documented pandemic since 1918. As of January 2021, COVID-19 has caused 2.5 million deaths globally. Its common symptoms are Shortness of breath, loss of smell, sore throat, and loss of taste. Its virus spreads by Breathing in an infected person’s droplets, when Droplets lands on the mouth, eyes, or nose, and by Touching eyes, nose, or mouth with contaminated hands. There are 3 common types of its vaccines. First, Messenger RNA vaccine which uses genetically modified mRNA to send cells instructions on how to make S protein pieces that cause the body to make antibodies. Second, Vector vaccine wherein Genetic material of the virus is placed in a modified version of a different virus, which delivers instructions on replicating S proteins for antibodies. And third, Protein subunit vaccine which inserts harmless S proteins that the body’s antibodies recognizes, and causes the production of defensive white blood cells. COVID-19 is treated with antiviral and monoclonal antibody drugs Vaccines are the first step to prevent an epidemic. Be safe, get vaccinated.