Communicable Disease 1 - Introduction

• What is a pathogen?

  A microorganism that can cause disease 
• Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease.

  Are these diseases classed as communicable or non-communicable diseases? 

  Communicable diseases
• Four main ways that pathogens can spread

  air

  contaminated water

  contaminated food

  direct contact
• Give three ways we can reduce the spread of infectious disease?

  Improved hygiene, such as washing hands and cleaning surfaces 

  Vaccination 

  Killing the vectors that carry pathogens 

  Isolating or quarantining people who are infected