4.3.1.1 communicable (infectious) diseases

Cards (9)

What are communicable diseases?
Diseases caused by infectious agents and can be transmitted from an infected organism to another
what is an epidemic?
a widespread occurrence of a disease in a community at a particular time
what is a pandemic?
a disease affecting people in many countries
what are pathogens?
microorganisms that cause infectious disease
what different types of pathogens are there?
viruses, bacteria, protists or fungi
how can pathogens be spread?
by direct contact, by water or by air
what can bacteria and viruses do?
reproduce rapidly inside the body
what do bacteria produce and what does this mean?
they produce poisons (toxins) that damage tissues and make us feel ill`
what do viruses do?
they live and produce inside cells which causes cell damage