Preventing Communicable Diseases
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Transcript Preventing Communicable Diseases
Preventing Communicable
Diseases
Immune System – a network of cells, tissues,
organs, and chemicals that fight pathogens.
First line of Defense- Physical and Chemical:
skin, mucous membranes, cilia
enzymes in tears, saliva, gastric juices
Inflammatory Response
A reaction to tissue damage caused by injury or
infection. (hot, swollen, red, painful)
Release of Phagocytes – a white blood cell that
attacks invading pathogens.
(Pus- a collection of dead white blood cells and
damaged tissues)
Repair now begins at injured site.
Specific Defenses
When certain pathogens enter the body, the
body’s immune response will recognize this
pathogen and send out specific antigens- a
substance that is capable of triggering an
immune response.
This response is what we call immunity – the
state of being protected against a certain disease.
Battling Specific Diseases
Lymphocyte- a specialized white blood cell that
coordinates and performs many of the functions of
specific immunity.
Two Types – “T” cells and “B” cells
(Helper “T” cells, Killer “T” cells, Suppressor “T” cells)
“B” cells produce antibodies – a protein that acts
against a specific antigen.
An antibody will either mark a cell for destruction,
destroy the antigen or block the virus from entering the
body.
Memory Lymphocytes
Some “B” and “T” cells actually have a memory
and circulate through the body looking for
“bad” invaders who have been there before- if
found, they begin the attack to prevent illnesses.
Active immunity- developed by your body
Artificial immunity- vaccine- a preparation of
dead or weakened pathogens that are introduced
into the body to stimulate an immune response.
Vaccines
Live virus vaccines – made from pathogens grown
under special lab conditions to make them lose most of
their disease causing properties. (measles, mumps,
rubella, chicken pox)
Killed virus vaccines – inactivated pathogens. Still cause
an immune response and antibodies are produced. (flu
shots, polio, rabies, hepatitis A)
Toxoids – inactivated toxins from pathogens (tetanus,
diptheria) used to stimulate production of antibodies.
New and second generation vaccines- developed by
scientists using new technologies. (hepatitus B)
Common Communicable Diseases
Respiratory Infections (URI)
most caused by viruses and bacteria
avoid contact with infected people
smoking can reduce chances of fighting uri’s
Common Cold- runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, headache
Influenza- fever, chills, dry cough, joint pain, runny nose, sore throat,
extreme fatigue
Pneumonia- an infection of the lungs in which the air
sacs fill with pus and other liquids.
Strep Throat –(bacterial infection) sore throat, fever, enlarged lymph
nodes. Treated with antibiotics.
Tuberculosis – (Bacterial) attacks the lungs.
fatigue, coughing
(blood), fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
Hepatitis- inflammation of the liver.
Caused by chemicals and many
other pathogens. No cure – but vaccines for A and B.
“A” – spread through contact with feces of an infected person. Not
washing hands properly before handling objects or food.
Jaundice- yellowing of skin and eyes.
“B” – more serious than “A”. Found in most bodily fluids, especially
blood. Transmitted sexually. Drug use, piercings, tatoos, etc.
“C” – most common, transmitted by direct contact with infected blood.
Other Common Diseases
Mononucleosis- virus, spread by direct contact sharing utensils,
kissing- “kissing disease”. Chills, fever, sore throat, fatigue and swollen lymph
nodes.
Measles – virus, spread by coughs, sneeze, close contact-highly
contagious. Fever, red eyes, runny nose, cough, bumpy red rash.
Encephalitis – virus, transmitted by mosquitoes. Causing swelling of
the brain. Headaches, fever, hallucinations, confusion, paralysis.
Meningitis – Virus or bacteria cause inflammation of the membranes
that cover the brain. Fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck