Communicable Diseases Chapter 13

Disease Any condition that interferes with the normal or proper functioning of the body or mind

Communicable Disease A disease that can be spread to a person from another person, an animal, or an object

Germs Organisms that are so small they can only be seen through a microscope Communicable diseases are caused by germs!!!

Pathogens Germs that cause diseases

Infection A condition that happens when pathogens enter the body, multiply, and cause harm **When the body cannot fight off an infection that is when a disease develops

4 BASIC KINDS OF PATHOGENS

1. VIRUS Smallest pathogen Not alive Examples: Mono, Flu, Herpes, Measles, Chicken Pox

2. BACTERIA Simple one-celled organisms Most kinds are good and fight off infections Harmful bacteria cause diseases such as strep throat and pneumonia

3. FUNGI Organisms that are more complex than bacteria but cannot make their own food Thrive in warm, moist environments Examples: Athlete’s foot and ringworm

WHAT IS RINGWORM?

4. PROTOZOA One-celled organisms Some can cause serious disease Malaria is caused by protozoa and is transferred to people through mosquito bites

6 WAYS PATHOGENS ARE SPREAD

1. Direct contact with others *Wash your hands often with soap 2. Indirect contact with others *Never share eating utensils, cups, or personal items such as toothbrushes or razors

3. Contact with someone else’s blood Spreads HIV or other infections 4. Sexual contact Spreads STI’s such as chlamydia, genital warts, & syphilis

5. Contact with contaminated food or water Cook foods thoroughly, store dairy properly 6. Contact with animals or insects Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus, other animals spread rabies

5 Barriers that Block Pathogens Tears, Saliva, Skin, Mucous Membranes, and Stomach Acid Your body can block, trap, or break down most pathogens before they make you sick

Immune System A combination of body defenses that fight pathogens in the body Goes to work if pathogens get past the barriers

Immunity The ability to resist the pathogens that cause a particular disease Example: mothers pass immunity to their babies during pregnancy and during breast feeding

Vaccines A preparation of dead or weakened pathogens that is introduced into the body to cause an immune response Because they are dead they cannot make you sick but your body builds barriers to stop the live pathogens

FLU VACCINE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbwfQLqxO3Q

Common Communicable Diseases Cold – no vaccine because there are too many different viruses The Flu – affect you more quickly than cold symptoms Flu season is December-March

The Contagious Period The length of time that a particular disease can spread from person to person Often includes a length of time before the infected person shows signs of being sick Chicken Pox – 1 week before signs of symptoms

Communicable Diseases Mono - “the kissing disease” spread by coming into contact with the saliva of an infected person Hepatitis – A,B, and C Hep A – from contaminated water or food Hep B & C – contaminated blood

Pneumonia – serious inflammation of the lungs Spread through direct or indirect contact with infected person Strep Throat – caused by bacteria Spread through people coughing or breathing infected air Must be treated

KEEPING PATHOGENS FROM SPREADING Hygiene – cleanliness Eating foods that are good for you, getting exercise, sleeping well and keeping environment clean

How to Protect Yourself from Getting Sick Avoid close contact with people who have a communicable disease Never share eating utensils, cups, or glasses Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially before eating or preparing food

Keep your fingers and hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes Don’t bite your nails Empty the trash often Handle and prepare food safely Keep pets clean and healthy

Ways to Protect Others Tell a parent if you feel sick If you are ill, stay home from school and other public places Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough Use a tissue only once and throw it away

Take medicine a doctor has given you and take it until it is gone

LIVE A HEALTHFUL LIFESTYLE EAT A BALANCED DIET BATHE OR SHOWER REGULARLY WITH SOAP REST WHEN YOU ARE SICK GET 8-9 HOURS OF SLEEP AVOID TOBACCO, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL