Infectious Diseases

What is an Infectious Disease? Any disease that is caused by an agent that has invaded the body. These are caused by: Person to person contact Food and water Animals Something in the environment

Person to Person Contact Sneezing Coughing Sharing Drinks

Food and Water Contaminated water Contaminated food Example: Salmonella Contaminated water Drinking from streams and lakes

Animals From animal bites we can get rabies, malaria, lymes disease, West Nile etc.

Environment Pathogens that are present on most of the objects around you. Door handles Phones

All infectious diseases are caused by a pathogen. A pathogen is any agent that causes disease. Examples: Bacteria Viruses Fungi Protozoan Parasites

Bacteria A tiny single cell organism that lives everywhere on earth. Examples: tuberculosis, tetanus, sinus infection Treatments: Antibiotics (which prevent growth and division of bacteria.

Viruses A disease causing particle made of genetic material and a protein coat. Examples: Chicken pox, flu, measles, colds, AIDS Treatment: Medication to treat the symptoms and prevent further production in human cells.

Bacteria versus Viruses Bacterial infections: Can be treated with antibiotic Examples: strep throat, sinus infections Viruses: Can only treat the symptoms. Some viruses just have to run their course. Examples: flu, cold, mumps, measles, hepatitis

Bacterial Diseases Strep throat Tuberculosis Sinus infection Malaria Tetanus

Viral Diseases Common cold Influenza (flu) Cold sores Warts Mononucleosis Chicken pox AIDS

Fungus Organisms that absorb and use nutrients of living or dead organisms. Examples: athletes foot, ringworm, yeast infections Treatment: over the counter meds or prescription

Protozoans Single celled, microscopic organisms. Leading cause of death in some parts of the world. Example: malaria Prevention: good hygiene and health

Parasite Get energy and nutrients from feeding on other things. Examples: Head lice, tape worm, lymes disease

How does your body fight diseases? Physical Barriers: skin, mucous membranes Consider these to be like a defensive line

Inflammatory Response: reaction to injury or infection that is characterized by pain, redness, swelling. This would be the linebackers

Immune system: Contain certain types of blood cell and antibodies. Safety

If the pathogen makes it past your immune system and score a touchdown, you are now officially sick!