Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What are communicable (or infectious) diseases?
Diseases that can be passed from one organism to another, caused by microorganisms known as pathogens.
Name the four types of pathogens.
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protoctists (protists)
- Fungi
How do bacteria affect body cells?
They produce toxins that damage body cells.
What is the replication method of viruses?
They use host cells to replicate before bursting out and destroying cells.
What do protoctists do to host cells?
They take over cells and break them open.
How do fungi destroy cells?
They digest living cells to destroy them and some also produce toxins.
What are the two modes of transmission for communicable diseases?
- Direct transmission
- Indirect transmission
What is direct contact in the context of disease transmission?
Skin-to-skin contact, kissing, or sexual intercourse.
What is airborne droplet transmission?
Coughing or sneezing tiny droplets of mucus or saliva onto someone.
What is indirect transmission?
Pathogens are passed using an intermediate such as water or another organism.
How can food and drinking water transmit diseases?
Ingestion of contaminated food or water can cause disease.
What are vectors in the context of disease transmission?
Organisms that transmit pathogens from one host to another, e.g., mosquitoes transmitting malaria.
How can contaminated objects lead to disease transmission?
Pathogens from infected individuals can live on objects for a short time and infect others.
What living conditions increase the risk of communicable disease?
Overcrowded areas increase the risk of direct transmission.
How does climate influence communicable diseases?
Warmer temperatures allow mosquitoes to breed and transmit diseases like malaria.
What social factors increase the risk of communicable diseases?
A lack of health education and healthcare systems.
What pathogen causes Tuberculosis (TB)?
Bacterium
What is the effect of Tuberculosis (TB) on the body?
Damages the lungs and suppresses the immune system.
What is the mode of transmission for Tuberculosis (TB)?
- Airborne droplets
- Contaminated food and drink
What pathogen causes bacterial meningitis?
Bacterium
Who is primarily affected by bacterial meningitis?
Young children and teenagers.
What is the effect of bacterial meningitis on the body?
Damages membranes of the brain and can cause blood poisoning.
What is the mode of transmission for bacterial meningitis?
Airborne droplets
What pathogen causes HIV/AIDS?
Virus
What is the effect of HIV/AIDS on the body?
Gradually destroys the immune system.
What is the mode of transmission for HIV/AIDS?
Exchange of bodily fluids
What pathogen causes Influenza?
Virus
What is the effect of Influenza on the body?
Kills ciliated epithelial cells in the gas exchange system.
What are the modes of transmission for Influenza?
- Airborne droplets
- Contaminated objects
What pathogen causes Athlete’s foot?
Fungus
What is the effect of Athlete’s foot on the body?
Causes cracking and scaling of skin between the toes.
What is the mode of transmission for Athlete’s foot?
Contaminated objects
What pathogen causes Ringworm?
Fungus
What is the effect of Ringworm on the body?
Causes a circular, red rash.
What is the mode of transmission for Ringworm?
Direct contact
What pathogen causes Malaria?
Protoctist
What is the effect of Malaria on the body?
Damages the red blood cells, liver, and brain.
What is the mode of transmission for Malaria?
Vector (Anopheles mosquito)
