Common diseases in Colombia - Essay Example

Common diseases in Colombia Disease processes that are predominant in the Colombian culture and how you assess for this disease The most common diseases in Colombia are the food contamination and water borne diseases such as typhoid, Hepatitis A and E as well as diarrhea. This is followed closely by vector borne diseases especially malaria, dengue and yellow fever. Statistics from CIA and CDC indicate that the most predominant of these diseases affecting both locals and travellers (Central Intelligence Agency, 2014).

Risk factorsThe risk factors of this disease are the food and water borne diseases due to contaminated food and water. Personal hygiene and sanitation is not emphasized upon in this nation hence the reason they use contaminated water especially from the Pacific Ocean and their food is contaminated. How it is diagnosed Typhoid whose mortality rate reaches even 20% of those diagnosed is spread through food and water contamination. The sick patient experiences high fever that is not sustainable and tests of the blood cells indicate an increase in the white blood cells. The S. typhi bacteria are also analyzed in the urine test which is carried out after the first week of fever (Crump, et al. 2010). How it is treatedTyphoid is treated using a dose of strong antibiotics such as levofloxacin which clears up the symptoms.

Intravenous hydration and the use of antipyretics can also be employed. This is in addition to ensuring proper nutrition and close medical check-ups to monitor treatment. Education on lifestyle modificationIn order to prevent typhoid, eating of washed food and boiled water is important. Thoroughly cooking food as well as peeling fruits is also necessary. For the travellers, typhoid vaccine is recommended before travelling to this nation in addition to not eating food sold on the streets (Crump, et al. 2010). ReferencesCentral Intelligence Agency.

(2014, June 22nd). The World Factbook: People and Society in Colombia. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/geos/co.htmlCrump, J. et al. (2010). Global Trends in Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 50(2): 241-246. Doi: 10.1086/649541