How to prevent the spread of diseases

• Pathogens are disease-causing viruses, bacteria, fungi or protists, which can infect animals and plants.
• Humans have an immune system, which can defend them from pathogens.
• Part of Biology (Single Science) Infection and response.
• Viral diseases, bacterial diseases, protist diseases, and fungal diseases are types of diseases caused by pathogens.
• The transmission of pathogens can be close or spreading.
• Pathogens can be prevented or reduced in a number of ways.
• Vaccination introduces a small or weakened version of a pathogen into your body, and the immune system learns how to defend itself.
• Chemicals or UV light kill pathogens in unclean water.
• Treating existing cases of infection kills pathogens.
• A number of important methods of preventing the spread of pathogens are shown in the table below.
• Cooking foods thoroughly and preparing them in hygienic conditions kills pathogens.
• Washing surfaces with disinfectants kills pathogens.
• Using barrier contraception, like condoms, stops the transfer of bodily fluids and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Sterilising water can prevent the spread of pathogens.
• Cholera can be prevented by using chemicals or UV light to kill pathogens in unclean water.
• Suitable hygiene, such as cooking foods thoroughly and preparing them in hygienic conditions, can prevent the spread of pathogens.
• Suitable hygiene, such as washing surfaces with disinfectants, can prevent the spread of pathogens.