THE ROLE OF NURSING IN PREVENTING INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Abstract

Infectious diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis and COVID-19, are caused by infectious agents transmitted from person to person or indirectly. Confronting them requires preventive measures such as hygiene, vaccination and appropriate treatments. In this context, nursing plays a crucial role, encompassing everything from direct patient care to community strategies for health promotion and containment of epidemics. Nurses' work includes early identification of cases, health education, immunization and management of teams and protocols. The implementation of effective public policies and adequate working conditions are essential to optimize preventive actions. The objective of the study was to analyze the role of nursing in the prevention of these diseases, considering contemporary challenges. The methodology is based on an integrative review of the literature, with a descriptive and exploratory approach. Articles indexed in scientific databases such as SCIELO, LILACS and BDENF, published in the last five years, were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were restricted to texts in Portuguese that address the topic, excluding monographs and dissertations. The results highlighted five main areas of nursing practice: prevention of disabilities in leprosy, care for pregnant women with syphilis, health promotion for leprosy patients, diagnosis and interventions in tuberculosis, and comprehensive care for patients with lepromatous leprosy. The categorization of the studies highlighted the breadth of nursing's contributions to the control of infectious diseases, with 20% representation for each subcategory. The study concludes that nurses are indispensable in health promotion and disease prevention. Their work in immunization, health education and management of health emergencies reinforces the importance of investments in training and infrastructure for these professionals, contributing to more effective and equitable health systems.