Diseases

What is a Disease? An illness that affects the proper functioning of the body or mind Communicable Diseases: passed from person to person Non-Communicable Diseases: not spread from person to person, but by how people live, environmental hazards, & heredity

What Causes Communicable Diseases? Germs- organisms so small you can only see them under a microscope. Germs invade the body, grow, reproduce, produce poisonous waste products, then cause infections.

Types of Germs The following cause communicable diseases: Bacteria- tiny, one celled organisms that grow everywhere. (Some harmless, some harmful) Viruses- smallest form of life, harmful Fungi- simple life forms, can’t make their own food Protozoa- simple, animal-like organisms

Bacteria Most don’t cause disease- live all around and inside of you! (helpful) Ex: live in your intestine to help digest food Become harmful when they enter the wrong parts of the body (mouth to ear) To grow- they need a food supply, warmth, and moisture You can take medicine to kill the bacteria

Viruses Very specialized, only attack specific areas of your body Viruses cause things like AIDS, measles, chicken pox, colds, the flu, mono, etc. You can’t take medicine to CURE this, only to reduce the symptoms

Fungi Often live in the hair, nails, or on the skin Examples: athletes foot & ringworm

Protozoa Many are harmless, but some cause diseases Ex: malaria, caused by a protozoa that lives in certain mosquitoes

How Germs are Spread: Direct Contact Indirect Contact Contact with an Animal Through Food

Direct Contact Ex: Pick up germs on your hands through things you touch, then they get into your eyes, nose, or mouth. Can pick up germs through direct sexual contact (AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, and herpes)

Indirect Contact Germs travel in water droplets in the air breathe in if someone coughs or sneezes around you. Colds, the flu, measles, etc. travel this way

Contact with Animals If you are bitten by an infected animal or insect. Ex: rabies, tick bites, Lyme Disease

Other (Food) Germs can enter if you eat/drink them in your food. Food that is improperly cooked or stored cause help bacteria multiply

Preventing Diseases! Wash hands Get enough rest Eat well Shower daily Avoid harmful substances Store food properly Don’t share utensils/glasses Stay abstinent to prevent STD’s Make sure your vaccines are up to date

Preventing Diseases! Protect OTHER people also: Stay home from school if you’re sick Cover your mouth when you sneeze/cough Go to the doctor quickly when sick Follow the directions on medications

Common Communicable Diseases The Common Cold: Over 200 viruses cause colds Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, headache, itchy eyes Can’t CURE a cold, just make yourself feel better PREVENT colds: rest, liquids, WASH HANDS First 24 hours are the most contagious

Common Communicable Diseases Chicken Pox Symptoms- rash, fever, headache, body ache Contagious- 1 day before symptoms to 6 days after Vaccine?? YES Pneumonia Symptoms- chills, high fever, chest pain, cough Contagious- Varies Vaccine- For some types

Common Communicable Diseases Rubella Symptoms- headache, swollen lymph nodes, cough, sore throat Contagious- 7 days before rash to 5 after Vaccine- YES Measles Symptoms- fever, runny nose, cough, rash

Common Communicable Diseases Mumps Symptoms- chills, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes Contagious- 7 days before symptoms to 9 after Vaccine- YES Tuberculosis Symptoms- fever, tired, weight loss, coughing blood Contagious- Varies

Influenza The “Flu” Symptoms- tired, chills, headache, body ache, respiratory problems, and fever Many different strains of it (Swine Flu) Mutates frequently (flu shot every year) Spread by coughing and sneezing Treatment- no cure, rest/eat well to help symptoms

Hepatitis Viral disease of the liver characterized by yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes Hepatitis A- usually spread if someone ingests fecal matter (someone doesn’t wash their hands) Hepatitis B- usually spread through blood, semen, or other body fluids (sexual contact or needles) no cure

Mononucleosis Viral disease, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and throat Swollen spleen or liver may develop, dangerous!! Spread by sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses, toothbrushes, or kissing someone with the disease Most common in teens and young adults