Health and Disease Basics
Communicable diseases are the sneaky ones that jump from person to person like unwanted party crashers. Think HIV, measles, and salmonella - they spread through contact with contaminated surfaces, bodily fluids, blood, insect bites, or even just breathing the same air as someone infected.
Non-communicable diseases work completely differently - you can't "catch" cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or asthma from your mate. These conditions typically develop because of lifestyle choices and behaviours rather than infections.
The scary truth? Lifestyle factors like smoking, vaping, munching on junk food, skipping exercise, and using drugs (stimulants, depressants, etc.) are quietly setting you up for non-communicable diseases later in life.
Quick Check: Remember that communicable = contagious, non-communicable = caused by your choices and environment!