Common infectious diseases in Indonesia

Infectious diseases are infectious diseases caused by microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi, and can move to other people who are healthy. Some infectious diseases that are common in Indonesia can be prevented through vaccination and clean and healthy lifestyle. Infectious diseases can be transmitted directly or indirectly. Direct transmission occurs when germs in sick people move through physical contact, for example through touching and kissing, through the air when sneezing and coughing, or through contact with bodily fluids such as urine and blood. People who transmit it may not show symptoms and do not look like a sick person, if he is only a carrier (carrier) of the disease. In addition to the above methods of transmission, infectious diseases can also spread through animal bites, or physical contact with animal body fluids, as well as through food and drink contaminated with disease-causing microorganisms. Infectious diseases can also move indirectly. For example when touching a doorknob, water tap, or iron pole handle on a contaminated train. Germs can infect if you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without washing your hands first after touching these items.

Common infectious diseases in Indonesia

Infectious diseases are generally more risky for people who have weak immune systems and live in environments with poor hygiene conditions. Infectious diseases can also increase at certain times, for example in the rainy season or flood. Symptoms and signs of infectious disease depends on the type of microorganism that causes infectious diseases. In Indonesia, infectious diseases that generally occur include:

• Acute respiratory infections (ARI)

Respiratory infections can attack the nose, throat, airway, and lungs. ARI begins with heat accompanied by one or more symptoms of sore throat or swallowing pain, dry cough or phlegm, and runny nose. This condition is often caused by a virus, but can also be caused by bacteria. ARI caused by a viral infection will usually improve within 3-14 days. ARI can be prevented by living clean and healthy behavior, getting used to washing hands. Also pay attention to the ethics of coughing and sneezing, and use masks so that viruses and bacteria do not spread to others.

• Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a bowel obstruction (BAB). This disease is characterized by bowel movements more than three times a day, accompanied by heartburn, with the consistency of liquid stool, and can be accompanied by blood and / or mucus. Diarrhea may be considered trivial when it can potentially be fatal, especially in infants. Diarrhea is transmitted through water, soil or food contaminated with viruses, bacteria or parasites.

• TB

TB (tuberculosis) is still the most killer among infectious diseases. Based on WHO data in 2017, there are an estimated 1 million TB cases in Indonesia. TB is caused by bacteria that attack the lungs, but the bacteria can also attack other parts of the body such as bones and joints, the lining of the brain (TB meningitis), lymph nodes (TB glands), and the lining of the heart. This bacterium is transmitted through the air when sufferers cough or sneeze. TB can be prevented through administering a BCG vaccine.

• Dengue fever

Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by dengue virus infection. This virus infects humans through the bite of the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Dengue fever is a common seasonal disease in tropical countries. In Indonesia, more infectious diseases occur during the rainy season. Dengue fever can develop into a more severe condition, namely dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF).

• Wormy

Worms are caused by hookworms, tapeworms, and pinworms that infect the intestine. Worms can cause anemia (lack of blood), weakness, and drowsiness, so productivity decreases. This is because worms absorb nutrients the body needs such as carbohydrates and protein. In pregnant women, intestinal worms can result in low birth weight and problems with labor. Worms are transmitted through direct contact, for example when dirty hands are put in the mouth, or indirectly when you touch food or objects that contain worm eggs.

• Skin disease

Scabies and ringworm become a contagious skin disease that affects many Indonesian people. Transmission of this disease is related to personal hygiene and the environment. In addition, leprosy is still suffered by some Indonesian people. Symptoms include white or red patches on the numb skin. Leprosy can be transmitted through saliva splashes, sneezing, or contact through injured skin. This disease can cause permanent disability if not treated early.

• Malaria

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites and is also transmitted by mosquito bites. Malaria sufferers generally show symptoms of fever, chills, headaches, sweating, muscle aches, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Malaria is endemic, with regions that still have high cases in eastern Indonesia. Residents living in malaria endemic areas have the highest risk of contracting this disease.

• Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Symptoms include fever and inflammation of the lining of the upper respiratory tract, nose, and skin. In 2017, diphtheria was an extraordinary case in Indonesia. This condition occurs because it is suspected that there is a group that is easily infected with diphtheria due to not getting vaccinated or incomplete vaccination status.

In the past, polio was considered a common infectious disease in Indonesia. But since 2014, Indonesia has been declared polio free. Aside from polio, the cases of tetanus and smallpox were also successfully suppressed so that they were no longer considered a major health problem. This is a success obtained from nationally administered immunizations. Some infectious diseases such as flu, polio, hepatitis B, measles, smallpox, diphtheria, and TB can indeed be prevented by administering vaccines. Prevention of infectious diseases can also be pursued through healthy living habits. Among these are not spitting carelessly, washing hands, not using personal equipment together with others, and eating healthy and nutritious food to increase the body's resistance to disease.