Non communicable diseases

• Diseases can be grouped into two types:

  • communicable, which can be transferred from one person to another, or from one organism to another, eg in humans, these include measles, food poisoning and malaria
  • non-communicable, which are not transferred between people or other organisms
• Non-communicable diseases include:

  • cancer
  • diabetes
  • genetic diseases and conditions
  • heart disease
• • Defects in the immune system mean that an individual is more likely to suffer from infectious diseases. For instance, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, which lead to AIDS, affect the immune system and lead to an increase in infectious diseases.
• Viruses living in cells can be the trigger for cancers. For instance, the majority of cases of cancer of the cervix are linked with a virus present in the female reproductive system
• • The reaction of the immune system to pathogens and other foreign bodies can trigger allergic reactions that lead to skin rashes and asthma. For instance, severe respiratory infections in babies can lead to asthma in later childhood. Severe physical ill health can lead to depression and other types of mental illness.
• Communicable diseases are those that spread from one person to another via various means including airborne transmission, droplet infection, vector borne transmission, sexual transmission and blood transfusion.
• Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These microorganisms enter the body through ingestion, inhalation or direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated objects.