Three components i.e. agent, mode of transmission and host are very important for the spread of a disease.
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If any of these components is missing then disease cannot spread, therefore measures should be taken to control these components so as to prevent the spread of diseases.
A. Controlling the Source of Infection:
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(i) Early Diagnosis:
The first and most important point in the control of infectious disease is the early and accurate diagnosis of the disease. If the disease is properly treated at source and disease agent is destroyed then the chances of spread of the disease will be minimized.
(ii) Notification:
Notifiable diseases should be immediately reported to the health authorities who will take proper measures to control the disease.
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(iii) Isolation:
Patients suffering from communicable diseases should be isolated so as to limit the spread of the disease to the public. The period of isolation varies from disease to disease; usually it is as long as the ‘infectious’ period of the disease.
Isolation can be done either in the hospital or at home. Hospital isolation where possible is always better than home isolation because of restrictions imposed and specialized facilities available in the hospital.
(iv) Treatment:
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If proper treatment is given at an early stage of the disease, it will shorten the duration of the disease and lessen the sufferings of the patient. Early treatment with antibiotics will kill the pathogenic micro-organisms thus the spread of infection will be prevented. Prophylactic and therapeutic treatment can be given.
B. Blocking the Modes of Transmission:
Modes of transmission of infection should be controlled by adopting following measures:
(i) Drinking water should be properly disinfected.
(ii) All food items should be protected from disease agents.
(iii) Human excreta should be disposed of in a sanitary way.
(iv) Overall standard of living should be improved.
(v) Mosquitoes, flies, other insects, rodents and stray dogs should be destroyed.
(vi) All discharges of the patient should be disposed of in a sanitary manner.
(vii) All fomites of the patient should be thoroughly disinfected and disposable items should be burnt.
(viii) Transmission of sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented by using mechanical contraceptives.
If above mentioned points are given due consideration then the transmission of diseases can be controlled to a great extent.
C. Protecting the Susceptible Host:
(i) Immunization:
Some of the diseases like diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis can only be controlled through proper immunization. Immunization is a cheap, safe, effective and easy method for the control of majority of infectious diseases.
For certain diseases no effective vaccine is available therefore in such cases other health systems should be used to control the disease e.g. in malaria, diarrhoea, certain respiratory infections etc.
(ii) Health Education:
If health education regarding mode of spread and method of prevention of various diseases is imparted to the public then with their active co-operation a large number of communicable diseases can be controlled easily, effectively and within short period of time.
Immunological Preparations:
Immunology is the study of immunity and preparations used to produce immunity are called immunological preparations. All immunological preparations are biological products which are administered parenterally to avoid inactivation of the preparation on oral administration. The exception is poliomyelitis vaccine which is administered orally. It contains living viruses which can multiply in the gut.