Question

Stressed Out

In a 400-600 word answer, properly cited with an APA-formatted reference list and in-text citations, please answer the following questions. In addition to the researched facts you present as your answer, you may provide opinions and real-world experiences where appropriate.

The physical result of infectious disease is often more apparent than the impact it has on the mental health of the patient, family members, healthcare personnel, or even members of the general public. Whether the disease infects one person or becomes a full-fledged outbreak, the mental burden of possible illness or even death can take its toll.

Scenario: You are the attending physician in the psychiatric department of a community hospital. For the last few weeks there has been an increase in new patients complaining of stress and anxiety. You have examined their medical records to try to find a common source and determined that a recent international disease outbreak of hemorrhagic fever may be to blame.

Reflect on your personal response to disease outbreaks in the news or media. Is there a specific illness that has caused you any level of stress or worry? How did that stress manifest itself? How was it finally resolved?

What physical or mental suggestions would you give to the patients under your care? Summarize the basis of your recommendations and what you expect the outcome to be.

If that long-distance threat suddenly became a reality in your community, how would those recommendations change? What would be your new strategy to aid the residents in your area?

Resources to get you started

Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA14-4885/SMA14-4885.pdf

Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA14-4894/SMA14-4894.pdf

Answer 1

The hemorrhagic fever (dengue) is a viral illness prevalent in past and present years.But recently the incidence rate were huge .Mortality and morbidity increased in recent times which quirked the public and healthcare authorities.It caused a panic situation. More campaigns were broadcasted via television, mass media and health care campaigns conducted by primary health centres , prevention of communicable disease centres and government. The lack of public awareness which peaked due to misinformation, misleading treatment claims and lack of preparedness to tackle dengue outbreak resulted in a huge burden and stress to the public. Even an usual viral fever was seen as hemorrhagic fever, and a stress headache was considered as a symptom of subarachnoid hemorrhage.The hemorrhagic fever presented as an epidemic and also brought the death toll high which brought more fear in people.

Hemorrhagic fever causing mosquito (aedes) has ability to breed in clean water and will bite only in daytime .Apart from mosquitoes there have been reports of transmission through blood donation, organ transplantation and mother to child leading to congenital infection.

There is no specific treatment for dengue/ severe dengue, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1%.(http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue),this lead to more fear and stress in public.

In these situations psychological support, guidance and proper education about the disease is necessary to calmdown the patients and public.Blood tests should be done to clear the doubt of patients and calm them down.According to the CDC, the principal symptoms of dengue are high fever and at least two of the following:

• Severe headache
• Severe eye pain (behind eyes)
• Joint pain
• Muscle and/or bone pain
• Rash
• Mild bleeding manifestation (e.g., nose or gum bleed, petechiae, or easy bruising)
• Low white cell count

Also community education awareness to public about how to handle the critical situation .Vector control measures has to be done by the government.Active monitoring and surveillance of vectors should be carried out to determine effectiveness of control interventions.

Mental and physical suggestions are Take large amounts of fluids , fresh milk,foods rich in vitamin K and advice patient to take complete rest and visit the physician if any symptoms persist as said by CDC.