Viruses, Bacteria, and Your Health

 I. How infectious diseases spread  A. Infected person  1. touching, kissing, inhaling droplets of sneezes or coughs can transfer the virus or bacteria.  B. Contaminated object  1. eating, drinking utensils used by an infected person can transfer the viruses or bacteria to other people.  C. Infected animal  1. bites (from mosquitoes, ticks, or other animals) transfer bacteria or viruses into our bloodstream.  D. Environment  1. foods (poultry, meat, eggs)  2. soil

 II. Treating infectious diseases  A. Viral disesase  1. NO CURES  2. Medicines treat the symptoms (runny nose, cough, fever)  3. Only your immune system can rid your body of a virus.  B. Bacterial disease  1. Antibiotics - kill bacteria without harming our own cells.  – a. many bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics

 III. Preventing infectious disease  A. Vaccine  1. An altered virus injected into our body.  2. Our immune system switches on and learns to recognize it.  3. Can fight it off quickly if you ever get the real thing.  B. Staying healthy  1. eat nutritious foods  2. get lots of rest, fluids, and exercise  3. wash hands often  4. store and cook foods properly

 IV. Common diseases  A. Caused by viruses  1. rabies  2. measles  3. colds/flu  4. chicken pox  5. AIDS  B. Caused by bacteria  1. food poisoning  2. strep throat  3. lyme disease  4. tetanus  5. tuberculosis