Topic 5 – Health Disease and Medicines

Pathogen

A pathogen causes infectious disease

Communicable disease

Communicable diseases can be transmitted

Non communicable disease

Non communicable diseases cannot be transmitted

Virus

A virus reproduces inside host cells

Bacteria

Bacteria produce toxins

First line of defence

Skin and stomach acid prevent pathogen entry

Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis is engulfing pathogens

Antibody

An antibody binds to a specific antigen

Antigen

An antigen triggers an immune response

Memory cells

Memory cells provide long term immunity

Vaccination

Vaccination exposes the immune system safely

Immunisation

Immunisation occurs when immunity develops

Herd Immunity

Herd immunity protects vulnerable individuals

Clinical trials

Clinical trials test safety and effectiveness

Double blind trial

Double blind trials remove bias

Placebo

A placebo has no medical effect

Risk factor

A risk factor increases disease chance

BMI

BMI estimates healthy mass

CVD

Cardiovascular disease affects heart and blood vessels