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Health
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Misconceptions, Myths and
Beliefs about Common
Communicable Diseases
MAPEH – Grade 8
Quarter 3 – Module 5: Misconceptions, Myths and Beliefs about Common
Communicable Diseases

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Published by the Department of Education – Region XI

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Jayson P. Rodado
Editors: Arnel Jeff S. Tulabing
Reviewers: Eden R. Baruiz
Illustrator: -
Layout Artist: -
Template Developer: Neil Edward D. Diaz
Management Team:
Evelyn R. Fetalvero Reynaldo M. Guillena
Janette G. Veloso Alma C. Cifra
Analiza C. Almazan Aris B. Juanillo
Ma. Cielo D. Estrada Fortunato B. Sagayno
Jeselyn B. Dela Cuesta Elsie E. Gagabe

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education – Davao City

Office Address: DepEd Davao City Division, Elpidio Quirino Ave., Davao City
Telefax: 224-3274
E-mail Address: [email protected]
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Health
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Misconceptions, Myths and
Beliefs about Common
Communicable Diseases
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning at home. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and
assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own learning. Take
time to read, understand, and perform the different activities in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded of the
following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not
alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and
gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn

Perhaps you’ve heard about “do-it-yourself” treatment or alternative medication

on certain diseases, which at some point made you believe that it’s very effective and
that there is nothing wrong if you follow it. However, there is no scientific or medical
study which proves that such practice is really safe. Hence, there are lots of cases or
situations wherein many people who resorted to that kind of practice have suffered
with health problems and their lives are at risk. Today, you will learn lessons that will
help you understand issues on common communicable diseases. This module seeks
to achieve the learning competency Discusses the most common communicable
diseases -misconceptions, myths, and beliefs about common communicable
diseases (H8DD-IIIb-c18)
And we will focus our learning objectives with the following:
1. Discusses the most common communicable diseases -
misconceptions, myths, and beliefs about common communicable
disease.

2. Corrects misconception, myths and beliefs about common

communicable diseases.
Let’s get started!

Let Us Try
IS IT A YES OR NO?
Direction: Read the selection below, then answer the questions (A & B). Write your
answer in a whole sheet of paper.

READ ME!
One summer in Barangay Ompao, Dr. Carreon had a patient who was bitten
by a dog. Before attending to the patient and providing medication, he asked the
patient if he has already applied first aid treatment right away. He’s surprised with
the patient’s response. Instead of remedying it with running water and soap, he
chose to rub a garlic clove on his wound. He mentioned he got the idea from one of
his neighbors.
Since the incident occurred days before he actually went for a checkup, Dr.
Carreon asked him if there were noticeable changes in the behavior of the dog that
bit him. The patient then replied that they killed the dog right after what happened.

Courtesy: Dr. Lean Alessandro B. Carreon, Municipal Health Officer

Brgy. Ompao, Municipality of Tarragona, Province of Davao Oriental

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Questions:

A. Write √ on your chosen answer.

1. Can a garlic cure or heal a dog bite? ( ) yes ( ) no

2. Is following a friend’s or neighbor’s advice
about do-it-yourself medication right? ( ) yes ( ) no
3. If you were the patient, will you kill the dog? ( ) yes ( ) no
4. If you’re the patient, will you wait for couple
of days before seeing a doctor or specialist? ( ) yes ( ) no

B.
1. Have you heard a story similar to what you’ve read in the previous activity?
Please share it
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. Do you think the story that you’ve heard is a fact? Why or Why not?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. If you were the doctor, what will be your response to the patient?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

Let Us Study
Some Facts & Fallacies (Misconceptions, Myths and Beliefs) About
Common Communicable Diseases

FACT: Communicable diseases can spread through physical contact with an infected
person, contact with a contaminated surface or object, bites from insects or animals
capable of transmitting the disease (ex. Mosquito), and travel through the air.

FALLACY: Communicable diseases can be transmitted through distant eye-to-eye

contact.

FACT:There are some communicable diseases that have NO cure, yet. These include:
HIV/AIDS, Ebola, etc.

FALLACY:Durian fruit is clinically proven to heal Dengue Fever.

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FACT:Antibacterial products (soap, cleaning products, etc.) have no guarantee on
preventing all communicable diseases, because not all communicable diseases are
caused by bacteria.

FALLACY:Reusing a disposable face mask is safe as long as you wash it properly.

FACT:If you think you are infected with a certain communicable disease, better consult
a doctor or a health specialist.

FALLACY:There’s nothing wrong if you rely on a quack doctor (albularyo) or a

witchcraft, what matters is that he/it can cure your illness.

Let Us Practice
Correct Me If I’m Wrong!
Direction:

1. Based on the guide questions in the table below, interview a member of your family
(example: mother) or anyone from your home (example: uncle).

2. Assess the answers of your interviewee. Look for any myths, misconceptions &
beliefs from his/her answers. If you have found so, correct his/her answers as well as
give the FACTS on each corresponding answer. If none, just leave it blank. Write your
answer in a whole sheet of paper.

3. Then, politely discuss to him/her the facts about common communicable diseases.

Name of Interviewer:_______________________________________________
Name of Interviewee: _______________________________________________
Relationship: (Example – Sister) _______________________
Interviewee Interviewer
Guide Questions: Fact/s___________________________
1. What common communicable diseases are ________________________________
you familiar with? Give at least 2. ________________________________
Ans.__________________________________ ________________________________
2. What do you think are the causes of these Fact/s___________________________
communicable diseases? ________________________________
Ans.__________________________________ ________________________________
______________________________________ ________________________________
______________________________________ ________________________________
______________________________________ ________________________________

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3. How can we prevent and/or cure these Fact/s___________________________
communicable diseases? ________________________________
Ans.__________________________________ ________________________________
______________________________________ ________________________________
______________________________________ ________________________________
______________________________________ ________________________________

Let Us Practice More

Tell Me The Truth!

Direction: Write down other myths, misconceptions & beliefs about common
communicable diseases that you have heard from other people (relatives, friends,
neighbors, etc.) or you have read from any social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter,
etc.). Then, correct each myth, misconception or belief by writing down what is fact/s
about it. Follow the table below! Write your answer in a whole sheet of paper.

Other Myths, Misconceptions &

Beliefs Facts

Let Us Remember

• Some facts about spread of communicable diseases include: physical contact

with an infected person, contact with a contaminated surface or object, bites
from insects or animal, and travel through the air. There is NO scientific
evidence which proves that communicable diseases or any diseases can be
caused by disturbed spirits.

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 • If you don’t have any idea or knowledge about certain diseases, do not self-
medicate, or give any medication to other person whom you think is infected
with a disease. Thus, seek advice from a professional doctor.

Let Us Assess
Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer in a
whole sheet of paper.

1.) Your younger brother laughed and shouted very loud near a Balete Tree. Few
hours later, he got skin rashes. What will you do?
a. Go back to the Balete Tree and ask an apology to the spirits who live in it.
b. Ask your friend for an ointment.
c. Immediately inform your parent/s and/or bring your younger brother to the
physician.
d. Look for an albularyo near your place.

2.) Which among the following is TRUE about HIV/AIDS?

a. HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through eye-to-eye contact
b. HIV/AIDS can be transmitted through unprotected sex.
c. ONLY homosexuals can be infected with HIV/AIDS.
d. Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) can cure HI/AIDS.

3.) Why do we need to rely on professional doctors than quack doctors, particularly
about concerns on common communicable diseases?
a. Professional doctors have undergone studies in medicine and medical training.
b. Most of the professional doctors have pleasing personality.
c. Professional doctors are reliable because they have better communication skills
than the quack doctors.
d. Professional doctors have a stable job.

4.) Which among the following is NOT TRUE about causes of common communicable
diseases _______________.
a. Drinking dirty water can cause numerous health concerns.
b. Close physical contact to a person infected with a communicable disease may
result to transmission of the disease.
c. Poor proper hygiene may cause communicable disease.
d. Disturbed spirits is one of the causes of some communicable diseases.

5.) Dengue Fever can be EFFECTIVELY prevented at home through:

a. Washing hands, regularly
b. Eating Durian always.

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c. Wearing light clothes to drive away mosquitoes.
d. Covering and cleaning water containers, regularly.

6.) How are infectious diseases, such as colds and influenza, most commonly spread?
a. Breathing viruses in air c. Hand-to-face contact
b. Drinking infected water d. Eating contaminated food

7.) What are the ways to limit exposure to communicable diseases?

a. Washing your hands
b. Eating a balanced diet and participating in physical activity
c. Learn stress management techniques
d. All of the above

8.) Which among the following suggests a good first aid for a dog bite?
a. Put a garlic clove on the wound
b. Let the patient drink an antibiotic capsule
c. Wash the bite carefully with a soap and a clean running water
d. Kill the dog

9.) Which among the following is TRUE about prevention of bacteria or viruses
infection?
a. Before eating your meal, wash your hands only if there’s a dirt on eat.
b. The use of alcohol-based hand rubs will help in protecting you from bacteria and
viruses.
c. If your immune system is healthy, you don’t need immunization anymore, such as
vaccines because it’s dangerous.
d. I can stop taking antibiotics when I start to feel better.

10.) Your friend called you on the phone and told you that he went to a place which is
recently locked-down because few people there are infected with COVID-19, but he
insisted that he had no close physical contact with the people in the establishment and
followed safety protocols like wearing of face mask and face shield. What will be your
response to your friend?
a. Advise him to immediately inform the authorities in concern, and let them give the
right things to do.
b. Go to his place and talk to him personally on what to do
c. Tell him to just take medicine to boost his immune system
d. Just pray for him.

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 Let Us Enhance
Based on what you have learned from the readings above, discuss some
facts about common communicable diseases. Write your answer in a whole
sheet of paper.

1. Leading causes of common communicable diseases -

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. Best preventions against common communicable diseases -

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Let Us Reflect
Today, you got to know some misconceptions, myths and beliefs about
common communicable diseases, and you have learned or discovered the facts about
it. Hence, you got important lessons which you can relate on, particularly about issues
on communicable diseases. Hopefully, you will build more knowledge and
understanding that will make you a person or citizen who always advocates truth not
just on issues about common communicable diseases, but also in other health
concerns.

Congratulations! You have accomplished lesson 5, and you did a great job!
Keep in mind to practice making good decisions for your nutrition as you enjoy your
adolescence to live a healthy life.

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Let’s Us Try:
A.
Evaluate your answers:
If you got 4 correct answers, then you really know the truth about some false beliefs and practices.
If you got 3 correct answers, then you are not sure of the some false beliefs and practices.
If you got 2 correct answers, then you need to focus, listen, and learn.
If you got 1 correct answer, then you are in danger, you practice a lot of false beliefs and practices.
B. Answers may vary
Let’s Us Practice:
Criteria
( Your corrections or the facts that you’ve learned about
the communicable disease/s that your interviewee has
experienced) Points
Content 5 points
Organization of words 5points
Accuracy 3 points
Grammar 2 points
TOTAL 15 points
Let’s Us Assess:
1. c. 6. c.
2. b. 7. d.
3. a. 8. c.
4. d. 9. b.
5. d. 10. a.
Answer Key
 References

Alameda County Public Health Department. (2018). Communicable Disease.

http://www.acphd.org/communicable-disease.aspx

THE HEPACART BLOG. (2018). Common Myths about Disease Prevention .

http://www.hepacart.com/blog/common-myths-about-disease-
prevention

UNILAB, INC. (2019). 10 Tips to Avoid Dengue at Home

http://www.unilab.com.ph/articles/10-tips-to-avoid-dengue-at-home

World Health Organization. (2019). 10 FACTS ON HIV/ AIDS

http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/hiv/facts/en/index1.html

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region XI Davao City Division

DepEd Davao City, Elpidio Quirino Ave., Davao City

Telefax: 224-3274

Email Address: [email protected]

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