Communicable and Respiratory Diseases Lesson #61 and 62

Pathogen: a germ that causes disease Communicable / Infectious Disease: Illness caused by pathogens that can be spread from one living thing to another.

Types of Disease Bacteria: single celled microorganisms Strep throat Virus: smallest known pathogen. Takes over the cell, makes new cells. Common cold Fungi: single or multi celled parasitic organisms. Obtain their food from organic materials. Athlete’s foot

Types of Disease Protozoa: Tiny, single celled organisms that produce toxins that cause disease. Malaria (bite of a mosquito) chills and fever Helminth: parasitic worm (undercooked food) Tapeworms Rickettsia: grow inside living cells and resemble bacteria. Rocky mountain spotted fever

Lymphocytes: white blood cells that help the body fight pathogens. B Cell: WBC that produces antibodies. Helper T-Cell: WBC that signals B cells to produce antibodies. Antibody: special protein that helps fight infection.

Immunity: Body’s resistance to disease causing agents. Active Immunity: resistance to disease due to the presence of antibodies. Vaccine or immunization Passive Immunity: Introducing antibodies into a person’s blood stream. Short term

How pathogens are spread Direct contact Air Contaminated objects Contact with animals and insects Contaminated food, drinking infected water, and undercooked foods

How the immune system protects the body. Immune system: removes harmful organisms from the blood and combats pathogens. Skin Perspiration and oils Tears Mucus and hairs Saliva Stomach acids

Types of Infectious Respiratory Diseases The common cold (Virus) Influenza (Virus) Pneumonia (Bacteria or Virus) Strep Throat (Bacteria) Tuberculosis (Bacteria) lungs