(39) GCSE Biology Revision "Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease"

Types of Diseases

Communicable Diseases

  • Definition: Diseases that can be spread from person to person.

  • Example: Measles

  • Caused by pathogens:

    • Bacteria

    • Viruses

Non-communicable Diseases

  • Definition: Diseases that cannot be passed from person to person.

  • Example: Coronary heart disease

Health and Ill Health

  • Definition of Health: State of physical and mental well-being.

  • Causes of Ill Health:

    • Communicable diseases

    • Non-communicable diseases

    • Poor diet

    • High levels of stress

    • Life situations (e.g., working with harmful chemicals)

  • Impact: Negative effects on physical and mental health.

Interaction of Diseases

  • Importance: Different types of diseases can interact with each other.

Examples of Disease Interaction

  1. TB and HIV

    • TB (Tuberculosis): A communicable lung disease, can be fatal.

    • HIV: Defective immune systems are at higher risk for infectious diseases like TB.

    • Interaction: HIV increases the risk of contracting TB.

  2. HPV and Cervical Cancer

    • HPV (Human Papilloma Virus): Usually harmless, but can cause cervical cancer in some cases.

    • Statistics: Approximately 3,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer yearly in the UK.

    • Interaction: HPV infection leads to cervical cancer development.

  3. Allergies & Immune Response

    • Example: Asthma and dermatitis triggered by pathogens.

    • Interaction: Pathogen infection can result in allergies post-recovery.

  4. Physical Illness Leading to Mental Illness

    • Example: Arthritis

    • Impact: Chronic pain can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.

    • Interaction: Physical illness (arthritis) can trigger mental illness (depression).

Conclusion

  • Key Takeaways:

    • Understand the distinction between communicable and non-communicable diseases.

    • Recognize interactions between different types of diseases.