Pathogenic Diseases – NEET (Human Health & Disease)

Vocabulary flashcards covering pathogens, how they are transmitted, and their key symptoms from the provided notes.

Salmonella typhi

A bacterium transmitted via contaminated food or water that causes typhoid fever; symptoms include sustained high fever, weakness, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

A bacterium spread by respiratory droplets and sharing glasses/utensils; causes pneumonia and other infections; symptoms include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.

Haemophilus influenzae

A bacterium transmitted via droplets and sharing glasses/utensils; causes respiratory infections; symptoms include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.

Rhinoviruses

Viruses transmitted via droplets and contaminated objects; cause common cold symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, hoarseness, cough, and tiredness.

Plasmodium spp. (P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale)

Protozoan parasites transmitted by the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes; cause malaria with fever and chills (cyclic), anemia, and weakness.

Entamoeba histolytica

Protozoan parasite transmitted through contaminated food or water; causes abdominal pain, constipation, and blood plus mucus in stool.

Ascaris lumbricoides

Helminth (roundworm) whose eggs contaminate food or water; causes abdominal pain, indigestion, anemia, and possible intestinal blockage.

Wuchereria bancrofti and W. malayi

Nematodes transmitted by female Culex mosquitoes; cause lymphatic filariasis with chronic inflammation and swelling of lower limbs and scrotum.

Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton

Dermatophyte fungi transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, towels, combs, or clothes; cause dry, scaly, itchy circular skin lesions (ringworm).

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)

A retrovirus transmitted through sexual contact, blood, needles, and mother-to-child; leads to weakened immunity and increased susceptibility to infections and cancers.

Aflatoxin (Aspergillus species)

Carcinogenic toxin produced by Aspergillus (e.g., A. flavus) contaminating stored foods; associated with liver cancer and organ failure.

Dengue virus

Flavivirus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes; causes high fever, severe headache, muscle/joint pain, and rash.

Chikungunya virus

Alphavirus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes; causes fever, severe joint pain, and rash.

Poliovirus

Enterovirus transmitted via contaminated water or food (fecal-oral); can cause paralysis, fever, and muscle pain.

Hepatitis B virus

Virus transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusion, or shared syringes; can cause jaundice, liver cirrhosis, and cancer risk.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Bacterium transmitted by airborne droplets; causes persistent cough, weight loss, night sweats, and blood in sputum.