Health and Disease Flashcards
Give the World Health Organisation’s definition of health.
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
Describe the difference between a communicable and a non-communicable disease.
A communicable disease can be transmitted between individuals, whereas a non-communicable disease can not
What are pathogens?
Organisms that cause communicable diseases
Give four examples of pathogens.
- Fungi
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protists
Describe the effects of cholera.
It causes diarrhoea
Describe the pathogen that causes cholera and how the disease is spread.
- It is caused by a bacterium called Vibrio cholerae
- It is spread via contaminated water sources
Describe how the spread of cholera can be reduced.
Making sure that people have access to clean water supplies
Describe the effects of tuberculosis.
It causes lung damage
Describe the pathogen that causes tuberculosis and how the disease is spread.
- It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- It is spread through the air when infected individuals cough
Describe how the spread of tuberculosis can be reduced.
- Infected people should avoid crowded public spaces, practise good hygiene and sleep alone
- Their homes should also be well-ventilated
Describe the effects of malaria.
- It damages red blood cells
- In severe cases, it damages the liver
Describe the pathogen that causes malaria and how the disease is spread.
- It is caused by a protist
- Mosquitoes act as animal vectors (carriers) - they pass on the protist to humans
Describe how the spread of malaria can be reduced.
Use mosquito nets and insect repellent to prevent mosquitoes carrying the pathogen from biting people
Describe the effects of chalara ash dieback.
It causes leaf loss and bark lesions
Describe the pathogen that causes chalara ash dieback and how the disease is spread.
- It is caused by a fungus that infects ash trees
- It is carried through the air by the wind
