fsl - Communicable and non-communicable disease

What is a communicable disease?

Communicable disease can be spread from person to person eg measles. Communicable diseases are spread by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses.

What are communicable diseases spread by?

Communicable diseases are spread by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses

What is a non-communicable disease?

Non-communicable diseases cannot be passed from person to person eg coronary heart disease

What is health?

Health is defined as the state of physical and mental well-being

What can ill health be caused by?

Ill health can be caused by both communicable and non-communicable diseases. It can also be caused by poor diet, high levels of stress and other life-situations eg working with harmful chemicals

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable lung disease

Can tuberculosis be fatal?

Tuberculosis can be fatal

Can the immune system fight off tuberculosis?

In most people, the immune system can fight off tuberculosis. However some people have a defective immune system for example people with HIV

Do people with a defective immune system suffer from infectious diseases?

People with a defective immune system are much more likely to suffer from infectious diseases

What is human papilloma virus (HPV)?

HPV is extremely common. In most people it is essentially harmless. in some people HPV can cause cervical cancer

How many women in the UK are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year?

Around 3000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK

What is most cervical cancer caused by?

Most cervical cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus which infects the cells of the cervix

Why can a disease be triggered by the immune system?

Sometimes a disease can be triggered by the immune system eg allergies such as asthma or dermatitis

When the immune system fights off the pathogen does this affect the person?

The body is infected with a pathogen which the immune system fights off but the person is then left with an allergy

Are mental illness and physical illness linked?

Sometimes a mental illness can be triggered by a physical illness

What can people with arthritis feel?

People with arthritis can find it very difficult to move and lead a normal life. In certain cases this can make them feel isolated and depressed

What is health?

Health is the state of physical and mental wellbeing

What is a communicable disease?

A disease cause by a pathogen which can be transmitted from one person to another eg the flu

What is a non- communicable disease?

A disease which can not be transmitted from person to person eg cancer

How can diet affect health?

- Too little food / lack of nutrition - anaemia, vitamin deficiencies.

- Too much food / too much unhealthy food - obesity, type 2 diabetes.

How can stress affect health?

Prolonged stress is linked to a wide range of health problems including heart diseases, cancers and mental health issues.

How can life situations affect heath?

Many life factors such as location, gender, financial status, ethnic group and healthcare provision can impact a persons mental and physical health

Give examples of how health problems can interact

-Infection with certain viruses can lead to cancer eg. hepatitis infections can lead to liver cancer.

-A compromised immune system (eg. due to cancer) can lead to a higher risk of infection with communicable diseases.

-Immune reactions caused by a pathogen can trigger allergic reactions.

-Problems with physical health can lead to mental health issues.

People who have problems with their immune system (the system that your body uses to fight off infections) what do you they have an increased chance of?

People who have a problem with their immune system (the system that your body uses to help fight off infections) have an increased chance of suffering from communicable diseases such as influenza (flu) because their body is less likely to be able to defend itself against pathogen that causes the disease

What can some type of cancer be triggered by?

Some types of cancer can be triggered by infection by certain viruses. For example infection with some types of hepatitis virus can cause long term infections in the liver where the virus lives in the cells

What can the virus hepatitis lead to?

This can lead to an increased chance of developing liver cancer. Another example is infection with HPV (human papilloma virus) which can cause cervical cancer in women

What can the immune system reactions in the body caused by infection by a pathogen sometimes trigger?

Immune system reactions in the body caused by infection by a pathogen can sometimes trigger allergic reactions such as skin rashes or worsen the symptoms of asthma for asthma suffers

What can mental health issues be triggered by?

Mental heath issues such as depression can be triggered when someone is suffering from severe physical health problems particularly if they have an impact on the persons ability to carry out everyday activities or if they affect the persons life expectancy

How can your life situation affect your health?

Whether you have easy access to medicines to treat illness or whether you have access to things that can prevent you from getting ill in the first place eg being able to buy healthy food or access condoms to prevent the transmission of some sexually transmitted diseases

How can stress affect health?

The stress you are under - being constantly under lots of stress can lead to health issues

How can diet affect health?

Whether or not you have a good balanced diet that provides your body with everything it needs and in the right amounts. A poor diet can affect your physical and mental health