Communicable & non-communicable diseases

Communicable disease

Disease that can be spread from person to person

How are communicable diseases spread?

By pathogens such as bacteria or viruses.

Non-communicable diseases

Diseases that cannot be passed from person to person.

Example of a non-communicable disease

Coronary heart disease

Health

a state of physical and mental wellbeing.

How else can disease be caused?

Poor diet, high stress levels, and other life situations (e.g. working with harmful chemicals).

Is tuberculosis non-communicable?

No. It’s communicable.

How dangerous is tuberculosis?

Most people’s immune systems can fight of tuberculosis, however, someone with a defective immune system are much more likely to suffer.

Is human papilloma virus communicable? (HPV)

Yes. In most people it is harmless.

What can HPV cause in some cases?

cervical cancer as HPV infects cervical cells.

How can a disease be triggered by the immune system? (e.g allergies such as asthma)

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

How can a physical illness trigger a mental illness? (e.g. arthritis)

Makes it more difficult to move and lead a normal life. This can make them feel isolated and depressed.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that enter the body and cause communicable disease (infections).

Bacteria

Small cells that can reproduce very quickly in body. Produce toxins that make you feel ill.

Viruses

Smaller than bacteria. Can also reproduce quickly in body. Viruses live inside cells where they can replicate. They then burst out of the cell, releasing new viruses.

Protists

eukaryotes (multicellular). Some are parasites which live on or inside other organisms, often carried by a vector.

Fungi

Sometimes single celled. Others have hyphae that grow and penetrate human skin and surface of plants. Can produce spores which can spread to other plants.