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7 Cards in this Set
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- Back
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Infectious Diseases
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Illnesses that pass from one organism to another. There are thousands of kinds of infectious diseases. Examples are colds, strep throat, or the chicken pox. Some are common in one part of the world but rare or absent in other places. Many infectious diseases are caused by viruses and bacteria. Others are caused by protists and fungi.
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How are infectious diseases spread?
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Infectious diseases are spread through contact with either an infected person, a contaminated object, an infected animal, or an environmental source. Once contact occurs, some disease-causing agents may enter a person through breaks in the skin, or they may be inhaled or swallowed. Others may enter the body through the moist linings of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or other body openings.
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Viral Diseases
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There are no cures for viral diseases. Medications can treat symptoms only.
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Bacterial Diseases
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Bacterial diseases can be cured with medications known as antibiotics.
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Antibiotic
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A chemical that can kill bacteria without harming a person's cells. Antibiotics are made naturally by some bacteria and fungi. Penicillin, an example of an antibiotic, works by weakening the cell walls of some bacteria and causing the cells to burst. Unfortunately, some bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics over the years. This means that the bacteria are able to survive in the presence of an antibiotic.
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Vaccine
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A substance that stimulates the body to produce chemicals that destroy viruses or bacteria. A vaccine may be made from dead or altered viruses or bacteria. The vaccine does not cause disease, but activates the body's natural defenses. If that virus or bacteria invade the body, it is destroyed before it can produce disease.
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How to Protect Your Body From Infectious Diseases
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1) Eat nutritious foods
2) Get plenty of rest, fluids, and exercise 3) Wash your hands often 4) Do not share eating/drinking containers 5) Get all of your vaccinations 6) Store food properly 7) Keep kitchen clean 8) Cook meals completely |
