Match the following diseases
into one of the two categories
Infectious
Non-Infectious
Alzheimer's
Malaria
The common cold
The Flu
Asthma
Cancer
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Disease Basics
• Disease – Any harmful change in your
body or mind.
– Diseases can be caused by pathogens or
“germs” like bacteria and viruses.
These diseases are called Infectious
– Some diseases are not caused by pathogens,
but are inherited diseases.
These diseases are called Non-Infectious or
Non-Communicable.
The tissues, organs, and cells that fight
pathogens make up your Immune System!
Infectious Diseases
• A disease that is caused by a pathogen or
“germ”. YOU CAN CATCH THEM!
– Example: A virus will cause the flu
– Example: A bacteria will cause strep throat.
• Some Infectious diseases are Communicable
– meaning they can pass from person to
person.
– Example: The flu can be passed if someone
sneezes on you.
– Example: Malaria is non-communicable because
a mosquito carries the disease
Non-Infectious or
Non-Communicable Diseases
• A disease that is not caused by a pathogen like a
bacteria or virus –
YOU CANNOT CATCH THEM!
– Example: Heart Disease or Cancer
– Example: Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
– Example: Down Syndrome
• Many Non-Infectious diseases are chronic (lasts a
•
long time).
Many Non-Infectious diseases are related to
lifestyle, while some you are born with. Sometimes
our heredity determines if we will get the disease.
Prevention
• Ways to prevent Infectious Disease
– Washing hands.
– Getting enough sleep, avoiding
alcohol/cigarettes, and eating a healthy diet.
– Getting vaccines when available.
– Staying away from disease carrying animals
or food/water that is dirty.
Prevention
• Ways to prevent Non-Infectious or NonCommunicable diseases
– Avoiding triggers if you have allergies or asthma
– Having a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise
to prevent high blood pressure, cancer, heart
disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
– Taking medication for diseases you are born
with, like asthma, allergies, and type 1 diabetes
– Going to the doctor regularly to get tested for
things that may run in your family, like high
blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, etc.