Infectious Diseases and Pathogens

Infectious Diseases

• Caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
• Can be transmitted through:
  • Direct contact with an infected person
  • Indirect contact with a contaminated surface or object
  • Airborne transmission
  • Vector-borne transmission (e.g. mosquitoes, ticks)
• Examples of infectious diseases:
  • Bacterial: Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Meningitis
  • Viral: Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis
  • Fungal: Ringworm, Candidiasis
  • Parasitic: Malaria, Toxoplasmosis

Chronic Diseases

• Long-term diseases that persist over time
• Often caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors
• Characterized by:
  • Gradual onset
  • Persistent symptoms
  • Requires ongoing management and treatment
• Examples of chronic diseases:
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Cancer

• A group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division
• Can occur in any tissue or organ of the body
• Caused by:
  • Genetic mutations
  • Environmental factors (e.g. radiation, carcinogens)
  • Infections (e.g. HPV, H. pylori)
• Types of cancer:
  • Carcinomas (e.g. breast, lung, colon)
  • Sarcomas (e.g. bone, soft tissue)
  • Leukemias (e.g. blood, bone marrow)
  • Lymphomas (e.g. immune system)

Autoimmune Diseases

• Caused by an immune system malfunction that attacks healthy cells and tissues
• Characterized by:
  • Overactive immune response
  • Inflammation and tissue damage
  • Often chronic and recurring
• Examples of autoimmune diseases:
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Lupus
  • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
  • Type 1 Diabetes
  • Multiple Sclerosis

Infectious Diseases

• Pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites cause infectious diseases
• Transmission occurs through direct contact, indirect contact with contaminated surfaces, airborne transmission, or vector-borne transmission
• Examples of infectious diseases include:
  • Bacterial: Tuberculosis (affecting lungs), Pneumonia (affecting lungs), Meningitis (affecting brain and spinal cord)
  • Viral: Influenza (affecting respiratory system), HIV (affecting immune system), Hepatitis (affecting liver)
  • Fungal: Ringworm (affecting skin), Candidiasis (affecting mouth, throat, and genitals)
  • Parasitic: Malaria (affecting red blood cells), Toxoplasmosis (affecting brain and eyes)

Chronic Diseases

• Long-term diseases persist over time, often caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors
• Characterized by gradual onset, persistent symptoms, and requiring ongoing management and treatment
• Examples of chronic diseases include:
  • Diabetes (affecting blood sugar levels)
  • Hypertension (affecting blood pressure)
  • Asthma (affecting airways)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (affecting lungs)

Cancer

• Uncontrolled cell growth and division characterize cancer
• Can occur in any tissue or organ of the body
• Caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors, and infections
• Types of cancer include:
  • Carcinomas (affecting epithelial tissues, e.g. breast, lung, colon)
  • Sarcomas (affecting connective tissues, e.g. bone, soft tissue)
  • Leukemias (affecting blood and bone marrow)
  • Lymphomas (affecting immune system)

Autoimmune Diseases

• Immune system malfunction attacks healthy cells and tissues, causing autoimmune diseases
• Characterized by overactive immune response, inflammation, and tissue damage
• Examples of autoimmune diseases include:
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (affecting joints)
  • Lupus (affecting multiple organs and tissues)
  • Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (affecting thyroid gland)
  • Type 1 Diabetes (affecting pancreas)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (affecting central nervous system)