Unit 3 Lesson 2:

Communicable / infectious
diseases
Ms. Sarina PROMTHONG

Causes of Communicable
Diseases
Communicable diseases, also know as infectious
diseases are caused by organisms or viruses that
enter and multiply within the human body.
Microorganisms are organisms that can be seen
only through a microscope.
Microorganisms and viruses that cause disease are
called pathogens.
Pathogens can cause an infectious disease when they
enter your body and multiply.

TYPES OF PATHOGEN
Bacteria
Virus
Protozoans
Prion
Fungi
Helminthes

Bacteria
Bacteria are simple, single-celled
microorganisms. Bacteria live in
air, soil, food, and in and on the
bodies of plants and animals,
including you.
Some bacteria injure cells by
giving off poisons called toxins.

Viruses
The smallest pathogens are
viruses.
A virus can multiply only after
entering a living cell.
The virus then takes over the
cells reproductive mechanisms,
resulting in cell damage or
death.

Fungi
Organisms such as
yeasts, molds, and
mushrooms are known
as fungi (FUN jy).
Fungi grow best in warm,
dark, moist areas.

Protozoans
Single-celled organisms
that are much larger and
more complex than
bacteria are known as
protozoans (proh tuh
unz). have the
ZOH
Protozoans
ability to move through
fluids in search of food.

HOW PATHOGENS ARE SPREAD

Pathogens can spread through contact with
an infected person
an infected animal
contaminated objects
contaminated food
contaminated soil
contaminated water
The pathogens can then enter the body
through breaks in the skin or through the
moist linings of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth,
or other openings.

Chain of infection

Infected People
Many infectious diseases are spread through
some form of contact with a person who has
the
The disease.
contact may be direct physical contact.
Infectious diseases
can also spread
through indirect
contact.

Infected Animals
Some infectious diseases
are transmitted to humans
through the bites of
animals.

Contaminated Objects
Some pathogens can survive for a period of
time outside a persons body.
These pathogens can be spread from person
to person on objects such as
doorknobs
eating utensils
towels
needles used
for body
piercings and
tattoos

Contaminated Food, Soil, or Water

Some pathogens are
naturally present in food and
soil.
Sometimes water and food
become contaminated with
pathogens from infected
people.

Your Bodys Physical and Chemical Defenses

1)

Saliva and tears

Saliva and tears can wash
away some pathogens.

2)

Mucous membranes
Mucus traps some pathogens,
preventing them from entering
your body.

3)

4)

Cilia
Cilia help move mucus
and pathogens out of
your body when you
cough or sneeze.
Skin
Your skin is an effective barrier
against many pathogens.

1
2
3

4
5

Your Bodys Physical and Chemical Defenses

5)

Stomach acid
When you swallow certain pathogens
with food, water, or mucus, acids in your 1
stomach can kill those pathogens.
2
3

4
5

Slide 15 of 28

Health Stats Note the difference between the leading causes of death in
the United States in 1900 and in 2000.

Were any of the leading causes of death in 2000 infectious

diseases? Explain why you think this is the case.
Slide 17 of 26

Bacterial Diseases
There are thousands of infectious diseases, and over
40 kinds commonly occur in the United States.
Four infectious diseases caused by bacteria are
strep throat
Lyme disease
meningitis
tuberculosis

Strep Throat
Strep is short for Streptococcus, the bacterium that
causes the disease.
Strep bacteria, which are usually found in the nose
and throat, can be spread by contact with mucus
from an infected person.
Symptoms include
sore throat
swollen lymph nodes on the sides of the neck
headache
fever

Lyme Disease
Humans can become infected with the bacteria that
cause Lyme disease when they are bitten by an
infected tick.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include
a red rash at the site of the tick bite
fever
chills
body aches
The best way to protect yourself from Lyme disease
is by avoiding tick bites.

Bacterial Meningitis
An infection of the fluid in the spinal cord and the
fluid that surrounds the brain is called meningitis.
Symptoms of meningitis include high fever,
headache, vomiting, and a stiff neck.
There are two types of meningitisone is caused by
bacteria, the other by a virus.

Slide 21 of 26

Tuberculosis
A highly contagious bacterial infection of the lungs is
tuberculosis (too bur kyuh LOH sis), or TB.
It is transmitted when droplets from an infected
persons cough or sneeze are inhaled.
Symptoms, which include fatigue, weight loss, a mild
fever, and a constant cough, may not show up for
many years after the initial infection.

Treating Bacterial Diseases

An antibiotic (an tih by AHT ik) is a drug that inhibits
or kills bacteria.
Using antibiotics exactly as they are prescribed is
very important to prevent bacteria from developing
resistance to the medicine.
Antibiotic resistance can result if you dont finish your
prescription and some of the bacterial pathogens in
your body survive.

Slide 23 of 26

Viral Diseases
Viral diseases include
the common cold
influenza
pneumonia
hepatitis

Slide 24 of 26

The Common Cold

The common cold is really a group of symptoms that is caused by a
number of different viruses.
One or two days after exposure to a cold virus, people develop
sneezing
sore throats
runny noses
coughing
chest congestion
fever
headaches
muscle aches
Colds spread when a person touches a contaminated object or inhales
droplets from a sneeze or a cough.

Slide 25 of 26

Influenza
The flu, or influenza, is a common viral infection of
the upper respiratory system.
Influenza is spread by airborne droplets and contact
with contaminated objects.
High fever, sore throat, headache, and a cough are
typical symptoms of the flu.

The Stages of the Flu

Pneumonia
In people who are elderly, or who have heart disease
or breathing problems, flu may develop into
pneumonia (noo MOHN yuh), a serious infection of
the lungs.
Many people die each year from pneumonia, which
can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or even fungi.

Hepatitis
A group of viruses that infect the liver can cause hepatitis
(hep uh TY tis), or inflammation of the liver.
Symptoms of hepatitis include
fever
nausea
pain in the abdomen
jaundice (JAWN dis), or yellowing of the skin.
Hepatitis A is transmitted in human wastes and in
contaminated water and food.
Hepatitis B can be transmitted in blood, during sexual
contact, or during tattooing or body piercing.
Hepatitis C can be transmitted in blood, during sexual
contact, or during tattooing or body piercing.

Treating Viral Diseases

In most cases, there is no particular medicine that
can cure a viral infection.
The best treatments for viral infections are rest, a
well-balanced diet, and plenty of fluids.
Many over-the-counter medicines can treat the
symptoms of viral infections.

When to Seek Medical Care

If you are worried about your health for any reason, see a
doctor and discuss your concerns with him
or her.
Seek professional medical care if you have
an extremely sore throat, earache, vomiting, diarrhea,
or a temperature of 101F that lasts more than two
days
mucus from your nose or throat that is thick and
yellowish green
difficulty breathing, or severe pain anywhere
a cut, scrape, or sore that does not seem to be
healing as it should
an illness that lasts longer than usual

Preventing Infectious Diseases

Here are some healthful behaviors you should
practice to help you avoid disease.
Wash your hands several times a day, especially
before eating and after using the bathroom.
Do not share items that can transfer pathogens,
such as towels, eating utensils, cups,
or hairbrushes.
Cook and store foods properly. Meats should be
cooked thoroughly. Hot foods should be kept hot,
and cold foods should be kept cold.
Avoid close contact with people who are ill.

Preventing Infectious Diseases

Here are some healthful behaviors you should
practice to help you avoid disease.
Stay home when you are not feeling well.
Learn to manage stress in healthful ways, and
get at least eight hours of sleep each night.
Eat well-balanced meals, and do not skip meals.
Exercise regularly, at least three or more times a
week.
Avoid unhealthful substances, such as tobacco,
alcohol, and illegal drugs.