Diseases and Communicable Diseases

Study Notes

A disease is a disorder or abnormal condition that affects the body's functioning
Can be caused by:
- Infection (bacteria, virus, fungus, etc.)
- Genetic disorders
- Environmental factors (pollution, radiation, etc.)
- Poor nutrition
- Lifestyle choices

A communicable disease is a disease that can be transmitted from one person to another
Methods of transmission:
- Direct contact (touch, kiss, etc.)
- Indirect contact (contaminated surfaces, objects, etc.)
- Airborne transmission (coughing, sneezing, etc.)
- Vector-borne transmission (mosquitoes, ticks, etc.)
Examples of communicable diseases:
- Influenza
- Tuberculosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Malaria

A vaccine is a preparation that stimulates the body's immune system to fight a specific disease
Types of vaccines:
- Inactivated vaccines (contain killed or inactivated pathogens)
- Live, attenuated vaccines (contain weakened pathogens)
- Subunit vaccines (contain only a small portion of the pathogen)
- Conjugate vaccines (combine a weakened pathogen with a carrier protein)
Importance of vaccination:
- Prevents illness and death from infectious diseases
- Reduces the risk of outbreaks and epidemics
- Protects vulnerable individuals (young children, elderly, people with compromised immune systems)

Immunization is the process of becoming immune to a disease
Types of immunization:
- Active immunization (vaccination)
- Passive immunization (administration of antibodies)
Importance of immunization:
- Provides long-term protection against infectious diseases
- Reduces the risk of complications and death from infectious diseases
- Helps to prevent the spread of diseases in the community

Poor nutrition:
- Consuming high amounts of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
- Lack of essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, etc.)
Physical inactivity:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Insufficient exercise
Substance abuse:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Drug abuse
Poor hygiene:
- Infrequent handwashing
- Not washing hands after using the bathroom
- Not covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing
Other bad habits:
- Insufficient sleep
- Stress and anxiety
- Lack of relaxation and leisure time

Transmitted from one person to another
Transmission methods:
- Direct contact through touch, kiss, etc.
- Indirect contact through contaminated surfaces, objects, etc.
- Airborne transmission through coughing, sneezing, etc.
- Vector-borne transmission through mosquitoes, ticks, etc.
Examples include:
- Influenza
- Tuberculosis
- HIV/AIDS
- Malaria

Preparation that stimulates the body's immune system to fight a specific disease
Types of vaccines:
- Inactivated vaccines containing killed or inactivated pathogens
- Live, attenuated vaccines containing weakened pathogens
- Subunit vaccines containing only a small portion of the pathogen
- Conjugate vaccines combining a weakened pathogen with a carrier protein
Importance of vaccination:
- Prevents illness and death from infectious diseases
- Reduces the risk of outbreaks and epidemics
- Protects vulnerable individuals like young children, elderly, and people with compromised immune systems

Process of becoming immune to a disease
Types of immunization:
- Active immunization through vaccination
- Passive immunization through administration of antibodies
Importance of immunization:
- Provides long-term protection against infectious diseases
- Reduces the risk of complications and death from infectious diseases
- Helps to prevent the spread of diseases in the community

Poor nutrition:
- Consuming high amounts of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats
- Lack of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, etc.
Physical inactivity:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Insufficient exercise
Substance abuse:
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Drug abuse
Poor hygiene:
- Infrequent handwashing
- Not washing hands after using the bathroom
- Not covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing
Other bad habits:
- Insufficient sleep
- Stress and anxiety
- Lack of relaxation and leisure time