Based on the study done by the Department of Health (DOH) last 2002, the top 10 illnesses that Filipinos most likely to acquire are the following:
- Pneumonia – an infection that affects the lungs of the human body. This illness blocks the oxygen preventing it from reaching the blood and will cause the infection to spread all throughout the human body. Can be acquired from infected person.
- Diarrhea – is suffering from excessive loss of body fluid by releasing watery stools for more than three times a day. It can be caused by bacteria, parasite, food intolerance, but in most cases causes are unknown.
- Bronchitis – enlargement of the oxygen channel, bronchi, that extends from the windpipe up to the lungs. The inflammation can be caused by viruses, bacteria, smoking, pollutants, and dust.
- Influenza – also called as flu, is a very contagious acute respiratory illness caused by the Influenza virus. Can be acquired with the infected person.
- Hypertension – known by common people as high blood pressure, this illness cause the blood pressure on your arteries to rise. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 or less. It can be obtained hereditarily.
- TB Respiratory– Tuberculosis or TB is also a very contagious disease it can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is caused by bacteria that enters and destroys the tissues of the lungs.
- Heart Disease – a disease that affects the function of the heart. It is caused by narrowing of the arteries that pumps blood to the heart. It can be worsen by eating fatty foods.
- Malaria – a disease carried by insects, most by mosquito. It can be obtained from mosquito bites or by an infected needle or blood transfusion. It can be easily obtained when near in unclean and coastal area.
- Chickenpox – highly contagious disease caused by viral infection. Chicken pox spreads from direct contact with the infected person or through coughing or sneezing.
- Measles – a disease cause by viral infection that may lead to bronchopneumonia and encephalitis. Symptoms are fever, runny nose, cough, and maculopapular rash.