Communicable & Non-Communicable Disease | Biology for JAMB PDF Download

Introduction

• Diseases are abnormal conditions that affect the normal functioning of an organism.
• They can be classified into common and endemic diseases, easily transmissible diseases, and non-transmissible diseases.
• This topic explores various diseases and their characteristics.
• Candidates should be able to use knowledge of causative organisms, mode of transmission, symptoms, and prevention/treatment/control of these diseases.
• Additionally, the principles of inoculation and vaccination for disease prevention should be applied.

Common and Endemic Diseases

• Common diseases occur frequently in a population and affect a significant number of individuals.
• Endemic diseases are specific to a particular geographic region or population.
• Examples of common diseases include the common cold, influenza, malaria, and dengue fever.
• Endemic diseases vary based on location, such as malaria in tropical regions and Lyme disease in certain parts of North America.
• Prevention and control measures involve promoting personal hygiene, eliminating breeding sites of disease vectors, and implementing vaccination programs where applicable.

Easily Transmissible Diseases

Poliomyelitis:

• Poliomyelitis, commonly known as polio, is caused by the poliovirus.
• It primarily affects children under the age of five.
• The virus spreads through contaminated water or food and direct contact with an infected person.
• Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, paralysis.
• Prevention involves vaccination using oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) to create immunity against the virus.
• Improved sanitation and hygiene practices also contribute to disease prevention.

Cholera:

• Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
• It spreads through contaminated water and food, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean water.
• Symptoms include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
• Treatment involves prompt rehydration and administration of antibiotics in severe cases.
• Prevention focuses on improving sanitation, ensuring access to clean water, and educating communities about hygiene practices.
• Vaccination may also be employed in high-risk areas or during outbreaks.

Tuberculosis:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• It primarily affects the lungs but can also involve other organs.
• TB spreads through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, weight loss, and fatigue.
• Diagnosis involves chest X-rays, sputum tests, and skin tests.
• Treatment requires a combination of antibiotics over an extended period.
• Prevention includes early diagnosis, proper treatment, and promoting good ventilation and infection control practices in crowded areas.

Non-Transmissible Diseases

Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Syndromes (STDs/STIs):

• STDs are infections transmitted through sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
• Common STDs include gonorrhea, syphilis, and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
• Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and affects the reproductive system.
• Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and progresses through stages if left untreated.
• AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which weakens the immune system.
• Prevention involves practicing safe sex, getting tested regularly, and using barrier methods like condoms.
• Education about safe sex practices, access to testing and treatment, and promoting awareness about HIV/AIDS are crucial in disease control.

Inoculation and Vaccination

• Inoculation refers to the deliberate introduction of a pathogen into an individual to stimulate immunity against the disease.
• Vaccination is a specific form of inoculation that involves the administration of vaccines containing weakened or inactivated pathogens or their antigens.
• Vaccines stimulate the immune system to produce a protective response without causing the disease.
• Vaccination programs aim to create immunity within a population, preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
• Vaccines have been instrumental in controlling diseases like polio, cholera, tuberculosis, and some sexually transmitted infections.
• Candidates should understand the importance of vaccination, the types of vaccines available, and the role of vaccination in disease prevention.

Conclusion

• Understanding diseases, their causative organisms, modes of transmission, symptoms, and prevention/treatment/control strategies is crucial.
• Candidates should apply the principles of inoculation and vaccination to prevent and control diseases.
• Promoting personal hygiene, improving sanitation, ensuring access to clean water, and educating communities about disease prevention measures are key strategies.
• Vaccination programs play a vital role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting public health.