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Health and Hygiene - Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

Grade 6ICSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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Health is defined by the WHO as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

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Diseases are broadly classified into two categories: Communicable (Infectious) and Non-communicable (Non-infectious).

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Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens such as BacteriaBacteria, VirusesViruses, ProtozoaProtozoa, and FungiFungi. They spread through air, water, food, or vectors.

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Vectors are organisms, like the female AnophelesAnopheles mosquito (carrying PlasmodiumPlasmodium), that transmit pathogens from an infected person to a healthy person.

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Non-communicable diseases are not spread from person to person. They may be caused by nutritional deficiencies (e.g., lack of Vitamin DD), organ failure, or lifestyle factors.

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Nutritional deficiency diseases include Scurvy (lack of Vitamin CC), Rickets (lack of Vitamin DD and Ca2+Ca^{2+}), and Anemia (lack of FeFe).

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Hygiene involves practices like maintaining clean surroundings, drinking boiled H2OH_2O, and regular handwashing to prevent the spread of micro−organismsmicro-organisms.

📐Formulae

Health=Physical Wellbeing+Mental Wellbeing+Social Wellbeing\text{Health} = \text{Physical Wellbeing} + \text{Mental Wellbeing} + \text{Social Wellbeing}

Communicable Disease∝1Hygiene Standards\text{Communicable Disease} \propto \frac{1}{\text{Hygiene Standards}}

C6H8O6 (Vitamin C)→Prevention of ScurvyC_6H_8O_6 \text{ (Vitamin C)} \rightarrow \text{Prevention of Scurvy}

Fe (Iron)→Hemoglobin ProductionFe \text{ (Iron)} \rightarrow \text{Hemoglobin Production}

I2 (Iodine)→Prevention of GoitreI_2 \text{ (Iodine)} \rightarrow \text{Prevention of Goitre}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A student suffers from bleeding gums and slow healing of wounds. Identify the possible deficiency and the chemical name of the required nutrient.

Solution:

The student is likely suffering from Scurvy. This is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin CC. The chemical name for Vitamin CC is Ascorbic Acid (C6H8O6C_6H_8O_6).

Explanation:

Vitamin CC is essential for the maintenance of healthy gums and the repair of tissues. Its absence leads to the weakening of capillaries.

Problem 2:

Classify the following as Communicable or Non-communicable: (a) Tuberculosis, (b) Diabetes, (c) Malaria, (d) Hypertension.

Solution:

(a) Tuberculosis: Communicable (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosisMycobacterium\ tuberculosis), (b) Diabetes: Non-communicable (metabolic disorder), (c) Malaria: Communicable (protozoan PlasmodiumPlasmodium), (d) Hypertension: Non-communicable (lifestyle related).

Explanation:

Communicable diseases require a pathogen and a mode of transmission, whereas non-communicable diseases are internal physiological or nutritional issues.

Problem 3:

Explain the role of FeFe in the human body and the disease caused by its deficiency.

Solution:

Iron (FeFe) is a core component of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Its deficiency causes Anemia.

Explanation:

Hemoglobin binds with O2O_2 to transport it to various tissues. Low FeFe levels result in reduced O2O_2 carrying capacity, leading to fatigue and paleness.