Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases

Vocabulary flashcards covering communicable disease transmission, immune defenses, medical interventions, noncommunicable conditions, and cardiovascular health based on lecture notes.

Communicable Disease

Any disease that can be spread from one living thing to another, such as HIV, the common cold, flu, or Covid-19.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism, commonly referred to as a germ.

Direct Contact

A route of disease transmission involving physical touching with an infected person or animal, such as kissing, sexual activity, holding hands, or droplet spread.

Indirect Contact

A method of disease transmission where germs spread through the environment rather than through direct person-to-person physical touch.

Fomite

A contaminated inanimate object that can transmit disease, such as an ATM screen, pen, doorknob, or gym equipment.

Vector

An uninfected living organism, such as a mosquito or tick, that carries a germ to a new host.

1st Line of Defense (Physical Barriers)

Immune defenses designed to stop germs from entering the body, including skin, tears, mucous, and cilia (nose hairs).

2nd Line of Defense (Chemical Barriers)

Immune defenses designed to kill germs before they multiply and/or reach the bloodstream, including saliva, stomach acid, urine, and semen.

3rd Line of Defense (The Inflammatory Response)

An immune strategy in which blood rushes to where germs were detected or where an injury occurred, allowing white blood cells to surround and destroy the germs before symptoms appear.

Anti-viral

A medical treatment used to manage viral infections, which cannot be cured.

Anti-fungals

A class of medication that can cure fungal infections.

Antibiotic

A type of medicine that can cure bacterial infections.

Vaccine

A preventative treatment containing dead or weakened pathogens, or mRNA proteins mimicking the pathogen, designed to teach the body to recognize the agent, develop antibodies, and trigger a rapid immune response.

Booster

An additional vaccine dose required over time because the immunity provided by certain vaccines fades rather than lasting for life.

Epidemic

An illness that is actively spreading in a community at the same time.

Pandemic

A global outbreak of an infectious disease.

Self-Quarantine

The act of remaining at home whenever possible while symptomatic, especially when presenting with a fever, to avoid spreading illness to others.

Noncommunicable Disease

Any disease that cannot be transmitted and must develop within an individual's own body.

Congenital Condition

A root cause of noncommunicable disease that is present at birth but not inherited through DNA.

Autoimmune Disease

A condition in which a person's own immune system attacks their own body.

Lifestyle Habit Factors

The most common root cause of noncommunicable disease, involving personal habits like sleeping $7\text{--}9\text{ hours}$, eating a well-balanced diet low in processed foods, exercising regularly, and managing stress.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD)

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels influenced by uncontrollable factors (heredity, gender, age) and controllable factors (activity levels, dietary choices, tobacco use, and alcohol/drug use).

Atherosclerosis

The buildup of plaque on artery walls, commonly causing dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, often referred to as the 'Silent Killer' because it typically presents with no symptoms.

Stroke

An injury in the brain resulting from a sudden interruption of blood flow, causing neuron death and sudden warning signs that may resolve or become permanent.

BE FAST

An acronym identifying the sudden warning signs of a stroke: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, and Time.