Health– According To WHO, health is defined as “ Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely an absence of disease or physical fitness “. Health is a state of body when all the organs and systems are functionally properly, and a perfect balance is maintained b/w the environment and body.
Diseases-Any conditions which interferes with the normal functioning of the body and impairs the body is called disease. On the basis of their period of their occurrence.
1. Congenital disease:- These are inborn diseases which are present from birth and generally inherited. Example:- Disease caused by gene mutation (colour blindness) and chromosomal mutation (Down Syndrome).
2. Acquired diseases:- These occur only after birth and are non- inherited. On the basis of their communication, acquired diseases are of 2 types: a). Communicable/ infectious b). Non- communicate/ Non- infections
Communicable Diseases
These can be transmitted from an infected person to the healthy person by means of air, water, food and physical contact or vectors. Depending upon the causative agent, communicable disease are of following types:
Bacterial Diseases: (Typhoid Pneumonia, Tuberculosis etc.), Viral Diseases: (Dengue, Polio, influenza, AIDs, measles etc.), Protozoan Diseases: (Malaria, amoebiasis, Kala azar, sleeping sickness etc)., Helminths Diseases: (Ascariasis, Elephantiasis, Prichinosis etc.), Fungal Diseases: (Ringworm, athlete’s foot), Rickettsial Diseases: (Typhus fever, Trench fever etc.)
Types of Communicable Diseases
On the basis of their mode of transmission, communicable diseases are of two types:
Contagious diseases: (Direct contact)
These communicable diseases can spread from infected people to healthy people by actual contact b/w them.eg. STDs, smallpox, chicken pox etc.
Non-contagious diseases: (Indirect contact)
These communicable diseases can spread from healthy people to infected people with food, air or water. Eg. Typhoid, Cholera or by microorganisms enters through host (eg. Malaria).
Non-Communicable Diseases
These do not spread from an infected person to a healthy person. These are of 4 types:-
a). Degenerative disease- eg. Cardiovascular Arthritis.
b). Cancerous diseases
c). Allergies- Asthma, fever
d). Deficiency disease-Diabetes mellitus, Kwashiorkor (protein)
Pathogen These are such microorganisms like bacteria, viruses and fungi which could cause disease in humans.
Means of Spread
Direct transmission: direct contact with an infected person (STDs), droplet infection (common cold), contact with soil (tetanus), animal bite (rabies) and transplacental transmission (syphilis).
Indirect transmission: Vector borne diseases (eg. Malaria), contaminated food and water (cholera), Air borne (influenza), Formite borne, uncleaned hand (ascariasis).
Prevention of Diseases:- To prevent diseases, consider the following general prophylactic measures:
•Immunization: Regular vaccinations are crucial for preventing infectious diseases. Vaccines protect against various illnesses, including influenza and COVID-19.
•Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular physical activity, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
•Regular Check-ups: Visit healthcare providers for routine screenings and check-ups to identify and address health risks early.
These measures can significantly reduce the risk of developing diseases and promote overall health.
