B2 - Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases

What is a communicable disease?

A disease that can be spread from person to person

What is a non-communicable disease?

A disease that cannot be passed from person to person

What causes communicable diseases?

Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites

Give an example of a communicable disease

Measles

Give an example of a non-communicable disease

Coronary heart disease

What is health?

A state of physical and mental well-being

What can cause ill health?

Diseases, poor diet, high stress levels, and life situations

What are life situations that may affect health?

Examples include living near pollution or working with harmful chemicals

Can communicable and non-communicable diseases affect each other?

Yes, different types of diseases can interact and increase risk of illness

What is tuberculosis (TB)?

A communicable lung disease caused by bacteria, which can be fatal

What usually helps fight off TB in healthy people?

The immune system

Who is more likely to suffer from TB?

People with a defective immune system, such as those with HIV

How does HIV increase risk of TB?

HIV weakens the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections

What is a defective immune system?

An immune system that doesn't work properly to defend the body from infections

How can one disease increase the risk of another?

By weakening the body or immune system, allowing other diseases to take hold

What is HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)?

A common virus that can lead to cervical cancer in some people

What disease can HPV cause?

Cervical cancer

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

Around 3,000

How does HPV lead to cervical cancer?

It infects cells of the cervix and causes changes that can lead to cancer

What is an example of one disease directly causing another?

HPV causing cervical cancer

How can the immune system trigger other health problems?

It can lead to allergies like asthma or dermatitis

What is asthma?

A condition where the airways become inflamed, often linked to allergies

What is dermatitis?

A skin condition caused by allergic reactions

How can allergies be caused by disease?

A pathogen may trigger an immune response, which then causes long-term allergies

What type of disease interaction causes allergies?

The immune response to a disease causes a lasting effect on the body

How can physical illness affect mental health?

Physical diseases can cause stress, isolation, or depression

What is an example of a physical illness causing mental illness?

Arthritis causing depression

What is arthritis?

A painful condition affecting joints, making movement difficult

Why can arthritis lead to depression?

It reduces quality of life, causes pain, and may lead to social isolation

What is depression?

A mental health condition that affects mood and well-being

What are examples of diseases interacting with each other?

HIV and TB, HPV and cervical cancer, arthritis and depression

How can poor diet affect health?

It can lead to malnutrition, obesity, or increased risk of disease

How can high levels of stress affect health?

It can weaken the immune system and increase risk of mental and physical illnesses

What's one example of a disease interaction involving the immune system?

HIV weakening the immune system, leading to TB infection

How can communicable and non-communicable diseases be connected?

A communicable disease can increase risk of developing a non-communicable one, or vice versa

How can life situations increase risk of disease?

Exposure to harmful environments, lack of healthcare, or unhealthy lifestyle choices