1.1 Communicable (infectious) diseases

Pathogen

A microorganism that causes a comunicable disease (Virus, Bacteria, Fungi, Protists)

Transmision

Direct contact, water, air (unhygienic food prep or vector)

Direct contact

This can be sexual contact during intercourse or non-sexual contact, like shaking hands.

Water

Dirty water can transmit many diseases, such as the cholera bacterium.

Air

When a person who is infected by the common cold sneezes, they can spray thousands of tiny droplets containing virus particles to infect others.

Unhygienic food preparation

Undercooked or reheated food can cause bacterial diseases like Escherichia coli which is a cause of food poisoning.

Vector

Any organism that can spread a disease is called a vector. Mosquitoes transmit malaria and are therefore vectors.

Bacteria

Bacteria produce poisons (toxins) that damage tissues and make us feel ill and reproduce rapidly

Virus

Viruses live and reproduce inside cells, causing cell damage.

how to prevent the spread of a virus

isolation

regular handwashing

disinfect surfaces

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