🦠 GCSE Biology: Communicable Diseases

Pathogen

A microorganism that causes disease.

Communicable Disease

An infectious disease that can spread from one organism to another.

Microorganisms

Tiny living organisms, including bacteria, viruses, protists, and fungi.

Airborne Transmission

The spread of pathogens through tiny droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Influenza Virus

A virus that spreads through the air and causes the flu.

Measles Virus

A highly contagious airborne virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing.

Contaminated Food and Water

A way for pathogens to spread through infected food or water sources.

Cholera

A bacterial disease that spreads through contaminated drinking water.

Salmonella

A bacterial infection spread by consuming contaminated food, especially undercooked chicken.

Direct Contact

The spread of pathogens through touching infected surfaces or individuals.

Athlete’s Foot

A fungal infection that spreads through direct contact with contaminated surfaces like public swimming pools.

Hygiene

A method to prevent disease spread by washing hands and keeping surfaces clean.

Vector

An organism that carries and spreads pathogens from one host to another.

Mosquito

A vector that spreads malaria by carrying the malaria protist.

Insecticides

Chemicals used to kill insect vectors and prevent disease spread.

Vaccination

A method to prevent disease by giving immunity, stopping the spread of infections.

Quarantine

Isolating an infected individual to prevent disease transmission.

Isolation

Separating sick individuals to reduce the spread of a contagious disease.

Disease Prevention

Strategies such as hygiene, vaccination, vector control, and quarantine to stop disease spread.

Infectious Disease

A disease caused by a pathogen that can spread between organisms.