Communicable Diseases and You
What is a Disease?
• A disease is a condition or illness that
affects the proper and usual
functioning of the body or mind of
an individual.
Non-Communicable Disease
• A Non-communicable disease I NOT spread by
contact with others and may be caused by
living conditions, genetics, or environmental
hazards.
What is a Communicable Disease?
• A communicable disease is one that can be
passed from one individual to another.
• A communicable disease is caused by an
organism so small it can only be seen by using
a microscope.
GERMS
• Disease causing organisms are usually called
GERMS.
• When germs enter the body, they grow,
reproduce and frequently produce waste
products that are poisons in the human body.
• The result is an infection.
Types of GERMS
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Bacteria
Viruses
Rickettsia
Fungi
Protozoa
BACTERIA
• Any tiny single cell organisms that grow and
thrive almost everywhere.
• There are 3 types of bacteria: Bacteria
• Cocci
• Bacilli
• Spirilla
VIRUSES
• Are the smallest and simplest forms of life.
• Many viruses are harmful to humans.
• VIRUSES
RICKETTSIA
• Are small bacteria that are spread by the bites
of insects such as mites and ticks.
FUNGI
• Are simple life forms that are unable to make
their own food.
PROTOZOA
• Simple, animal-like organisms.
BACTERIA
• Live everywhere: on you, in you, and around
you.
• Most bacteria do not harm you.
• Some bacteria are very helpful.
• Bacteria become harmful when they go places
they do not belong. E coli
BACTERIA need…
• Food Supply
• Warmth
• Moisture
• Your body provides all three of these needs
and a perfect home for bacteria!
BCATERIA COCCI
• Can cause diseases such as abscesses,
gonorrhea (clap), bacterial pneumonia, strep
throat and scarlet fever.
BACTERIA BACILLI
• Causes botulism (food poisoning), diphtheria,
tetanus, tuberculosis, whooping cough, and
leprosy.
VIRUSES
• Are very specialized
• Some attack only certain body cells.
• Rabies virus attacks only the nervous system.
• Viruses cause AIDS, chicken pox, measles,
colds, flu, mumps, polio, viral pneumonia, and
mononucleosis…
RICKETTSIA
• Are found in lice, mites, and ticks.
• They enter the body through the bite of an
insect that is infected.
• Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme
Disease are caused by rickettsia.
• Lyme Disease
FUNGI
• Attack the body and often live in the hair, nails
and skin
• Athlete’s Foot and ringworm are two diseases
caused by fungi.
• Athlete’s foot affects the feet, while ringworm
appears on other parts of the body.
• Ringworm
PROTOZOA
• Many are harmless but some can cause
disease.
• Malaria is caused by protozoa that live in
certain kinds of mosquitoes.
• If an infected mosquito bites a person, the
person will become infected.
GOOD GERMS
• Many bacteria are not only harmless, but
essential for life.
• Without bacteria in your intestines you could
not digest your food. (Probiotics)
• Even harmless bacteria can cause trouble if
they end up where they don’t belong.
HOW DO GERMS SPREAD?
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Close contact
Direct contact
Contact with animals
Other contact
• How do germs spread...
CLOSE CONTACT
• Breathing germs from someone’s cough or
sneeze.
• Germs travel in droplets which you inhale.
• Colds, flu, measles and tuberculosis can be
spread this way.
DIRECT CONTACT
• You can pick up germs by contact with hands
and skin.
• You can also pick up germs through sexual
contact.
• This is how people get diseases such as AIDS,
gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes.
PREVENTION
• Practice good health habits:
– Eat a balanced diet
– Get plenty of rest
– Exercise regularly
– Bathe or shower daily
– Avoid substances and behaviors that can harm
your health.
PRACTICE GOOD HEALTH BEHAVIORS
• Store foods quickly and properly.
• Do NOT share drinking glasses or eating
utensils with ANYONE!
• Wear appropriate clothing and protective
gear.
• Avoid sexual contact.
• Keep your shots up to date.
TO PROTECT OTHERS:
• If you are sick with a contagious disease, stay
away from others!
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough
or sneeze.
• Seek medical treatment to speed up recovery.
• WASH your hands frequently with soap and
warm water.
• Ewwwww!
TO PROTECT OTHERS (CONT’D)
• If a doctor prescribes a medication, follow the
directions and take it exactly as instructed.
• Encourage your family and friends to practice
good health habits along with you.
THE COMMON COLD
• There are 200+ viruses that cause the
“common cold”.
• Cold symptoms include slight fever, runny
nose, itchy/watery eyes, sneezing, coughing
sore throat and headache.
TO PREVENT A COLD:
• Get plenty of rest *9-10 hours+
• Drink plenty of fluids (juice, water, etc.) and
eat healthy nutrient-dense foods.
• Exercise regularly.
• DO NOT share cups and utensils.
• WASH YOUR HANDS.
• DO NOT smoke.
NORMAL IMMUNE RESPONSE
• In a healthy person, T-cells identify the virus.
• B-cells produce antibodies that may neutralize
the virus.
• T-cells destroy virus cells that have not been
neutralized, and stimulate B-cells to produce
antibodies.
• T-cells
IMMUNE SYSTEM IN A PERSON WITH
HIV OR OTHER IMMUNE DISORDER
• In a person with HIV, the virus seeks out and
destroys T-cells.
• With fewer t-cells, the B-cells stop producing
antibodies.
• With a weakened immune system, the body is
open to other infections.
• destroy T-Cells
IMMUNIZATIONS AND YOU
• What diseases have you been immunized
against?
• What other immunizations are available to
people your age?
• What immunizations are being researched
now?
• What else should be done to prevent disease?