Types of Diseases and Pathogens
This page provides an overview of different types of diseases and pathogens, their characteristics, and examples of specific diseases.
Diseases
Diseases are categorized into two main types: communicable and non-communicable.
Definition: Communicable diseases are those that can spread from one person to another, while non-communicable diseases cannot be transmitted between individuals.
Examples of communicable diseases include measles, while non-communicable diseases include heart disease.
Highlight: Health is defined as a state of physical and mental well-being. Causes of ill-health include diseases, poor diet, stress, and other life situations such as working with harmful chemicals.
Pathogens
Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infectious diseases. There are four main types of pathogens:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protists
- Fungi
Example: The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is an extremely common virus that can cause cervical cancer. About 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK.
Viral Diseases
Vocabulary: Viruses are pathogens that cannot be killed by antibiotics.
Examples of viral diseases include:
- Measles: Highly infectious, with symptoms including fever and a red skin rash.
- HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): Initially presents with flu-like symptoms, but eventually severely damages the immune system, leading to AIDS.
Highlight: Antiretroviral drugs can stop the HIV virus from multiplying, allowing infected individuals to have a normal life expectancy, although this is not a cure.
Bacterial Diseases
Bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Examples include:
- Salmonella (food poisoning): Spread through ingesting infected food, causing symptoms like fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
- Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted disease with symptoms including yellow/green discharge and pain when urinating.
Highlight: Many strains of gonorrhea have become resistant to penicillin antibiotics.
Protist Diseases
Example: Malaria is a protist disease spread by mosquitoes, causing symptoms such as fever and potentially fatal complications.
