Health and Disease
Communicable diseases are spread from person to person, or through the environment.
They are caused by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria and is spread through sexual contact.
There are often no symptoms, but if it is not treated with antibiotics, it can cause serious health problems.
It can be prevented by using a condom when having sex.
Salmonella is caused by food or water contaminated with bacteria.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps.
Treatment usually includes hydration, and sometimes antibiotics.
It can be prevented by proper food handling and hygiene.
Tuberculosis, or TB, is caused by bacteria that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs.
It affects the lungs.
Treatment involves a long six month course of antibiotics.
The BCG vaccination is used to prevent it.
HIV is caused by a virus spread through infected blood, unprotected sex and breast milk.
It damages the immune system and if left untreated leads to AIDS.
Antiviral medications are now used to control the virus when someone is infected.
Transmission can be prevented by using condoms while having sex.
Viruses are also responsible for the common cold and flu, which spread through droplets when people sneeze or cough.
The treatment is usually rest and painkillers.
Handwashing, using tissues to blow the nose and flu vaccines all prevent the spread.
The human papilloma virus, or HPV, is spreads through skin-to-skin contact, often during sexual activity.
It can cause warts, verrucas and some cancers such as cervical cancer.
Currently there is no cure, but it can be prevented through vaccination.
Regular screening detect infections early, so they can be treated.
Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus and usually affects the skin between the toes.
It spreads through contact with infected skin or surfaces like floors, and sharing footwear with people that have fungus.
Sweaty feet create the warm, damp conditions it needs to thrive.
It can be prevented by keeping feet dry and using antifungal creams.
The final disease affects plants rather than humans.
It's known as potato blight is caused by a fungus.
It develops in damp, humid conditions, spreading through spores in the air and soil.
The only way to stop the spread is for infected plants to be removed.
To prevent potato blight, farmers cause resistant crop varieties and fungicides.
A communicable disease can be passed from one organism to another. It is also known as an infectious disease. It is caused by a microorganism – bacteria, virus or fungus.
A non-communicable disease is not passed from one organism to another. It is caused by lifestyle or genetic abnormalities.
A person free from both types of disease is described as being healthy.
What is the cost to society?
The presence of disease has an effect on society, as unhealthy people may not be able to work and require healthcare.
The NHS spends large amounts on treating these diseases, including expenses for medicines, staff and hospital care.
What are the types of communicable diseases?
| Disease | Microorganism | Spread | Prevention | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIV (leading to AIDS) | Virus | Sexual contact, infected blood | Abstinence. Using a condom. Drug addicts not sharing needles | Anti-viral drugs |
| Cold/flu | Virus | Airborne | Flu vaccination | Painkillers and rest |
| Cancer and genital warts | Human papilloma virus (HPV) | Sexual contact | Abstinence. HPV vaccination (offered to 12–13 years old girls and boys) | Chemotherapy. Drugs to remove warts |
| Salmonella food poisoning | Bacterium | Contaminated food | Always cook food thoroughly. Do not mix cooked and uncooked foods. | Antibiotics |
| Tuberculosis | Bacterium | Airborne - coughing and sneezing | BCG vaccination | Antibiotics |
| Chlamydia | Bacterium | Sexual contact | Abstinence. Using a condom. | Antibiotics |
| Athlete’s foot | Fungus | Indirect contact | Avoiding direct contact with spores (eg wear flip flops in changing rooms). | Anti-fungal cream. |
| Potato blight | Fungus | Spores are spread in the air from plant to plant (especially in humid, warm conditions). | Crop rotation. Remove and destroy infected plants. | Fungicide |
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