What are the Common Diseases in the Philippines?

With the 2013 Philippine health care system reforms, the focus on preventive health care and the maintenance of healthy lifestyles is being pushed in order to control the spread of communicable and non-communicable diseases in the country.

Most Filipinos are unaware of the common diseases that are prevalent in our country until we end up sick or hurt because of them.

I’m sure you read articles that discuss common diseases in the Philippines and how to prevent them. However, I wasn’t able to find the list of common diseases and the symptoms that they have.

This led me to do my own research and I was able to compile a list of some of the common diseases in the Philippines and how you can avoid them.

Common diseases in the Philippines

The Philippines is a tropical country, which means it’s warm and humid most of the year. This climate can be hard on your health, especially if you’re not used to it.

Luckily, there are some common diseases in the Philippines that can be prevented and treated with a little bit of knowledge.

Common Diseases in the Philippines include:

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)

It causes chytridiomycosis, a skin infection that can be fatal to amphibians. It’s spread through direct contact with infected amphibians, or by water that has been contaminated with spores from infected amphibians.

Dengue fever or Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)

Dengue fever is an infectious disease spread by mosquito bites that cause high fever, headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle aches and joint pains.

Leptospirosis infection

It is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals alike. It is spread through contact with infected animals or through contaminated food or water sources like ponds and streams.

Typhoid fever

Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease that’s caused by Salmonella typhi. It spreads through contaminated food or water and can cause fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, and rose spots on your skin.

Tuberculosis (TB)

It is a bacterial disease that can be fatal if left untreated. It’s caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which lives in the lungs and other organs of infected people.

Hepatitis A

It is an infectious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can cause mild to a severe illness lasting from two weeks to several months.

Malaria

Malaria is transmitted through mosquito bites and causes symptoms such as fever, headache and chills. It is treated with antibiotics once caught early enough.

How you can avoid them?

Common diseases in the Philippines can be avoided by taking precautions, including:

-Avoiding crowded places

-Washing hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitiser

-Cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated with germs, as counters and door handles

-Do not drink from streams or rivers unless they have been tested and approved by local authorities

-When eating out at restaurants or ordering food from street vendors make sure that all vegetables and fruits have been washed thoroughly before eating them

-Getting vaccinated against diseases