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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a type of pathogen that causes communicable diseases?
Which of the following is NOT a type of pathogen that causes communicable diseases?
Which of the following diseases is spread through contaminated water?
Which of the following diseases is spread through contaminated water?
How is malaria spread?
How is malaria spread?
What is the primary function of white blood cells in the body's defense against pathogens?
What is the primary function of white blood cells in the body's defense against pathogens?
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Which of the following is considered a preventative measure against gonorrhea?
Which of the following is considered a preventative measure against gonorrhea?
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Which of the following is a common symptom of salmonella food poisoning?
Which of the following is a common symptom of salmonella food poisoning?
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Which of these actions would be MOST EFFECTIVE in preventing the spread of measles?
Which of these actions would be MOST EFFECTIVE in preventing the spread of measles?
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Which of the following is an example of a non-communicable disease?
Which of the following is an example of a non-communicable disease?
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Which of these is a method of preventing the spread of communicable diseases?
Which of these is a method of preventing the spread of communicable diseases?
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What is the primary role of vaccination in disease prevention?
What is the primary role of vaccination in disease prevention?
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How does herd immunity protect individuals who cannot be vaccinated?
How does herd immunity protect individuals who cannot be vaccinated?
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What is a major concern associated with the overuse of antibiotics?
What is a major concern associated with the overuse of antibiotics?
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In a practical investigation using agar plates, what does a larger zone of inhibition around a paper disc indicate?
In a practical investigation using agar plates, what does a larger zone of inhibition around a paper disc indicate?
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Which of the following is NOT a method of preventing the spread of communicable diseases?
Which of the following is NOT a method of preventing the spread of communicable diseases?
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What does the term 'vector' refer to in the context of communicable disease transmission?
What does the term 'vector' refer to in the context of communicable disease transmission?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a barrier that helps the body defend itself from pathogens?
Which of the following is NOT considered a barrier that helps the body defend itself from pathogens?
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What is the main difference between antibiotics and antiviral drugs?
What is the main difference between antibiotics and antiviral drugs?
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Which of these is an example of a vector control method used to prevent the spread of malaria?
Which of these is an example of a vector control method used to prevent the spread of malaria?
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Flashcards
Vaccination
Vaccination
A method to train the immune system to fight pathogens by using a dead or weakened pathogen.
Herd Immunity
Herd Immunity
When a high percentage of the population is vaccinated, reducing disease spread and protecting the vulnerable.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics
Medications that kill bacteria, but are ineffective against viruses.
Antibiotic Resistance
Antibiotic Resistance
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Quarantine
Quarantine
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Antiviral Drugs
Antiviral Drugs
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Fungicides
Fungicides
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Vector Control
Vector Control
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Zone of Inhibition
Zone of Inhibition
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Communicable Diseases
Communicable Diseases
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Pathogen Types
Pathogen Types
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Airborne Transmission
Airborne Transmission
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Vector-borne Diseases
Vector-borne Diseases
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Symptoms of Salmonella
Symptoms of Salmonella
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Prevention of HIV
Prevention of HIV
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Phagocytosis
Phagocytosis
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Skin's Role in Defense
Skin's Role in Defense
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Study Notes
Communicable Diseases
- Communicable diseases are illnesses spread from one organism to another, caused by pathogens.
- Non-communicable diseases are not infectious.
Types of Pathogens
- Four main types: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists.
How Pathogens Spread
- Airborne: Spread via coughs, sneezes (e.g., flu, tuberculosis).
- Direct Contact: Spread through skin or sexual contact (e.g., HIV, athlete's foot).
- Water and Food: Contaminated water or food (e.g., cholera, salmonella).
- Vectors: Insects carrying pathogens (e.g., mosquitoes and malaria).
Examples of Communicable Diseases
Bacterial Diseases
- Salmonella (Food Poisoning): Spread by contaminated food; symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea; prevention includes good food hygiene and poultry vaccination.
- Gonorrhea (STD): Spread by sexual contact; symptoms include painful urination and thick discharge; prevention includes condoms and antibiotics (though antibiotic resistance is increasing).
Viral Diseases
- Measles: Spread by droplets from coughs and sneezes; symptoms include fever, rash, and potential complications like pneumonia or brain infections; prevention is via the MMR vaccine.
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): Spread by bodily fluids (unprotected sex, needle sharing); symptoms begin as flu-like, progressing to AIDS (weakened immune system); prevention includes condoms and antiretroviral drugs.
Fungal Diseases
- Rose Black Spot (plants): Spread by water or wind; symptoms include spots on leaves, affecting photosynthesis; treatment involves fungicides and removing infected leaves.
- Athlete's Foot (humans): Spread by direct contact, often in damp environments; symptoms are itchy, flaky skin, commonly between toes; prevention includes keeping feet dry and using antifungal creams.
Protist Diseases
- Malaria: Spread by mosquitoes (a vector); symptoms include recurring fevers and fatigue, potentially fatal; prevention includes mosquito nets, insect repellent, and antimalarial drugs.
Body's Defense Mechanisms
- Skin: Physical barrier against pathogens.
- Nose Hairs & Mucus: Trap microbes.
- Stomach Acid: Kills bacteria.
- White Blood Cells:
- Phagocytosis: Engulf and destroy pathogens.
- Antibody Production: Target specific pathogens.
- Antitoxin Production: Neutralize bacterial toxins.
Preventing and Treating Communicable Diseases
- Vaccination: Stimulates the immune system to fight pathogens.
- Good Hygiene: Washing hands, sanitizing surfaces.
- Quarantine & Isolation: Prevents the spread of infection.
- Antibiotics: Kill bacteria (don't work on viruses).
- Antiviral Drugs: Slow down viral replication.
- Fungicides: Kill fungal infections.
- Vector Control: Reducing insect populations (e.g., draining stagnant water to stop mosquitoes).
Vaccination
- Vaccines use a weakened or inactive form of the pathogen to trigger an immune response.
- The immune system creates antibodies and memory cells.
- Memory cells provide faster, stronger protection against future infections.
Herd Immunity
- High vaccination rates make it harder for diseases to spread.
- Protects vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated.
Antibiotic Resistance
- Overuse of antibiotics leads to bacteria evolving resistance.
- Examples like MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) are problematic.
Practical Investigation
- Investigating the effect of disinfectants and antibiotics on bacterial growth involves measuring the zone of inhibition.
- A larger zone indicates greater effectiveness.
Key Points Summary
- Communicable diseases have various causes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists).
- Pathogens spread through various methods.
- The body has defense mechanisms against pathogens.
- Vaccination is a vital preventative measure.
- Antibiotic resistance is an important issue.
- Practical investigations help assess the effectiveness of disease treatments.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of communicable diseases, including types of pathogens and their modes of transmission. Explore key examples like bacterial diseases, how they spread, and prevention methods. Test your knowledge on this essential topic in public health.
