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Researched by Romessa A. |
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Disease: The Basics
A disease is a sickness of the mind or body. It could be serious or
something as minor as a common cold. Diseases can strike at almost any
body part. Sometimes disease can even cause death or disability.
Diseases can affect all types of life, even plants and one-cell
organisms. When humans get ill it can be sudden and can cause long-term
disabilities. During your life there is nearly a 100% guarantee that
you will get ill with some communicable disease caused by bacteria,
fungi or a virus. Older people are more susceptible to diseases.
Bacteria
Bacteria are microscopic one-celled organisms. There are an enormous
number of bacteria on the earth. For example, soil contains a lot of
bacteria. Most bacteria do not cause diseases, but many do and a few
are extremely dangerous. Bacteria live almost everywhere, including in
our mouth, skin and intestines. Resident bacteria protect our body by
either crowding out or killing disease causing bacteria.
Fungi and
Protozoan
A fungus is a tiny type of plant related to yeast and mushrooms.
Some types of fungus can enter your body and cause damage. Different
types of fungus range dramatically in the diseases that they cause. One
disease that is caused by fungi is meningitis (mehn ihn JY tihs). This
deadly disease affects the membranes surrounding the brain.
Protozoans are one-celled organisms. They can live in the body and
cause damage. One type of protozoan is the amoeba which can
cause diarrhea. Another, plasmodia (plaz MOH dee uh), is the
protozoan that causes malaria, an epidemic disease. Pathogens cannot
make food for themselves so they have to break down our body tissue to
eat, or eat our digested food.
Viruses
A virus is so tiny that scientists need an electron microscope to see
it. The only way viruses can multiply is by taking over a living cell.
When the virus multiplies, it kills the cell. Some common viral
diseases are the flu and colds. Others are chicken pox, measles, mumps,
hepatitis, polio, and rabies. AIDS is a disease where the virus
multiplies in certain cells in our immune system and weakens the body’s
defense system. The most common disease that is caused by a virus is
the flu.
Flu
Overview
There are many different viruses, and types of flu. The flu is a
respiratory infection meaning that the virus enters the lungs or
targets the lungs. Another name for the flu is influenza. People say
that when flu spreads it “knocks you off your feet.” The flu and common
cold are different from each other in several ways. 1.The flu is a
respiratory infection, the common cold is not. 2.The flu is caused by a
different virus than the common cold. 3.The flu causes a fever and a
cold rarely does. 4. The flu causes headaches most of the time, but a
cold rarely causes headaches. 5. The flu causes exhaustion or tiredness
but the cold can cause tiredness, but rarely does. The C.D.C. (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates 10-30% of all Americans
get the flu every flu season, from about November through March.
Children have three times grater chance to get the flu than adults.
Why? When one kid gets infected and goes to school, chances are that
other kids are going to get infected. That may cause a mini epidemic.
C.D.C. estimates that over 100,000 people are hospitalized every year
from the flu and 32,000 die every year from the flu.
Transmission
You can get flu by a cough, sneeze, or by touching a surface that has
the virus on it. Viruses can pass through air so as you breathe in from
your mouth or nose you can breathe in the flu virus. If you touch a
contaminated surface with your hand and put your hand in your mouth or
nose, you get the viruses. You are also at risk if you live in crowded
living environments or go to a crowded school.
Flu Complications
You can get the flu complications if you also get a bacterial infection
at the same time. That can cause pneumonia in your weak lungs.
Sometimes when you feel a little better, suddenly you get the flu
complications. The complications may include high fever, chills, chest
pain with each breath and coughing that produces thick mucus. Pneumonia
can be serious and sometimes life threatening.
Flu
complications in children and teens
Reye’s syndrome is a condition that affects the nerves. Sometimes it
develops in children and teens recovering from the flu. It starts out
with vomiting and nausea then starts mental changes such as delirium
and confusion which are the greatest concerns. It usually happens to
kids who are taking aspirin to help them get better. Some other
complications include: convulsions caused by fever, croup, and ear
infection, like otitis media. Newborns have a 50-50% chance of getting
the flu complications.
Symptoms
You will experience flu symptoms 1-4 days after you get infected. You
can also spread the virus to others before you start to see the
symptoms as well as 3-4 days after the symptoms appear. Sometimes you
will see the symptoms early in your sickness. The symptoms usually
include body aches, chills, dry cough, fever, headaches, sore throat
and a stuffy nose. Most of the time, the fever goes away after the 2nd
or 3rd day. The flu rarely causes problems in the intestines and
stomach.
Importance
The flu is an important sickness because it can cause serious
complications. Most people get well again in a week, but may still have
a cough. For people that have certain chronic diseases, elderly and the
newborns the flu complications can be life threatening.
Treatments
You can help yourself to recover from the Flu by: 1. Getting lots of
rest. 2. Drinking a lot of fluids (like water). 3. Taking medicine such
as Tylenol. DO NOT give aspirin to children and teenagers if they have
the flu. Also DO NOT give antibiotics to cure the flu! Antibiotics do
not work on viruses. Antibiotics work on some of the infections caused
by bacteria.
Medicine
People sometimes take a medication to keep them from getting the flu.
Here are the four common vaccinations.
· Tamiflu
(oseltamivir) can be taken children (1 and over) or by adults. This
medicine treats types A and B.
· Relenza (zanamivir)
can be taken by adults and children (7 and older) if they have an
uncompleted infection of the flu and have had symptoms no more that 2
days. This medicine treats types A and B.
· Flumadine
(rimantadine) can be taken by adults and it treats type A only.
· Symmetrel
(amantadine) can be taken by adults and children 1 and over. It
prevents type A. Symmetrel causes more side effects like
lightheadedness and inability to sleep more than Flumadine.
For these medication to work well you must take them within 2 days of
your sickness.
Side
Effects
The most common side effect people have is aching pain in the site
where you got your shot. Other side effects are fever, tiredness and
sore muscles. The side effects start about 12 hours after you get your
shot and lasts about 2 days.
The virus needed for the vaccine is grown in chicken eggs. Thus the
vaccine then carries protein. Then they use a chemical to make it non
Infectious.
Diagnosis
Most of the time H.C.P. (Health Care Providers) diagnose the flu based
on symptoms shown by patients or if there is a community epidemic.
H.C.P. rarely use laboratory test to identify a flu virus. Although
Health Officials monitor health clinics around the U.S. and do
laboratory tests to find out which flu caused that epidemic.
Prevention
The top way to protect you against the flu is to get a vaccine yearly.
You can get the vaccine at your local clinic or at your doctors. In
some communities you can get them at drug stores, super markets, and
work places. You have to get the flu vaccine every year because every
year the flu virus changes.
Vaccine
Recommendations
The following groups should get the flu vaccine: People who are 50
years or older; those with a chronic disease of the kidneys, lungs or
heart, or diabetes; people with an immune system that is not working
properly; those with a severe form of anemia; women that are more than
3 month pregnant; those who live in a nursing home or are in contact
with children 0-23 months. The C.D.C. (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention) suggests a child 6-23 months should get the vaccine. Also
children and teens ages 2-18 years old taking aspirin should get the
vaccine because they may be at risk for getting Reye’s Syndrome
followed by the flu. If you live with anyone listed above.
Outbreaks
The flu usually affects people in late fall and winter. If the flu goes
through a community and affects a lot of people that is called an
epidemic. The flu affects a lot of people in the first 3 weeks and goes
away after another 3-4 weeks. Half the population of a community may be
infected and sometimes more. This is often because of schools. If one
kid gets infected and goes to school,chances are that someone else will
get infected.
Flu outbreaks since
1918
If the flu is new or returning after a very long time, it can spread
person- person and easily spread fast around the world, causing serious
sickness and killing millions in it’s way. That would be called flu
pandemic.
In 1918 the Spanish Flu was the worst flu pandemic in all history. More
than 20 million people died worldwide. More than 500,000 people died in
the United States alone. This virus killed fast and easily.
In 1957 and1968 the Asian flu and the Hong Kong Flu took over the
United States. Lots of people died … thousand! But that did not top the
Spanish Flu.
In 1976 the United States had a swine flu scare. A new virus was
discovered at Fort Dix, New Jersey. They called it “The Killer Flu”.
The researchers thought that the whole world might get infected, but it
never did leave the Fort Dix area. Researchers who have studied this
virus estimated if it would have spread it would have been a lot less
deadly that the Spanish flu.
In 1997 a new flu virus infected 18 people. Six died shortly after
being infected. Most viruses first infect chickens then move to pigs,
and finally to humans. But this flu infected chickens and then to
humans. That bird flu did not become a pandemic because it did not
spread easily. Also public health authorities slaughtered all living
chickens in Hong Kong.
In 2003 a flu labeled H5N1 caused 2 Hong Kong people hospitalized and 1
killed, which was a 33-year-old man killed after his visit to China.
Netherlands, Canada and Egypt have had several strains of the flu that
has caused many illnesses.
In January 21, 2005 flu H5N1 caused 52 people in Vietnam and Thailand
became ill and 37 died. Researchers are worried because this flu is
transmitted by bids and is starting to become epidemic in India and it
is very, very deadly.
Research
Epidemics have occurred in communities, but there has not been a
pandemic since 1968. Scientists are very worried that a new flu strain
will appear in this century and will cause a pandemic so bad that they
will not know how to cure it. That is why institutes and health
departments are tracking flu outbreaks in the human world and animal
world too. For example, NIAD (National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases) supports research to find out how to treat the
flu, develop better vaccines, and find out how viruses work.
Infectious vs. Noninfectious
The top five ways diseases spread are: 1. People, 2. Animals, 3. Water,
4. Food and 5. Nonliving sources. The bacteria, virus or fungus that
gets in the human body and makes you sick can enter through your mouth,
nose, ear, eye or any cut or wound. That is why we cover our cuts with
band-aids! Then after entering our bodies the bacteria or fungi start
to multiply (one bacterium divides into two. Then those two grow and
divide into four … and so on). Viruses on the other hand go and attack
our cells and use our cell’s DNA to multiply.
People spread diseases directly, person-to-person. For example, if I
sneeze and you are in front of me and if you breathe in my contaminated
air you just got my germs…. DIRECTLY!!!!!!! “Communicable” is another
word meaning diseases that spread person-to-person. Some other
communicable diseases are: AIDS, colds, hepatitis, pneumonia, sore
throat and tuberculosis… they mostly spread by the human hand. Colds
even usually spread by hands and then the virus or bacteria or fungi
enters the body through the mouth, nose or the human eye, if we rub our
eyes, pick our nose or touch our mouth. They also can spread by coughs
or sneezes.
The second major disease spreaders are animals, including our cats and
dogs! Some of the tiniest insects can cause and spread diseases. Some
very small insects cause very, very, serious and life-threatening
diseases or conditions. The animals that cause diseases range from tiny
insects, to deer and even bigger animals! Blood sucking animals like
mosquitoes and fleas are the most dangerous. Mosquitoes can carry
malaria, yellow fever and things like that. Fleas though carry diseases
like plaque… and when plaque becomes epidemic or a pandemic it kills
millions in its way. Ticks (insects that are related to spiders) spread
Lymes disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and much more. Birds or
mammals both can carry rabies. So can bats, cats, raccoons, dogs,
skunks and more. Just one bite and you can get infected right
away. Psittacosis (siht uh KOH sihs) that is a bird disease, but
humans can get it too.
The third way diseases spread is by water. In most poor countries water
is dirty, and that is the #1 cause of diseases. Also in poor countries
they lack a way to treat sewage from toilets and purification of water.
So that means in poor countries waste enters into their drinking water,
then bacteria, worms, pathogens and protozoans enter your body and
cause diarrhea and more intestinal disorders. Sometimes even in
developed countries (like the U.S.) sewage unexpectedly enters the
drinking water.
The fourth way disease spreads is by food. Bacteria called E coli (EE
KOH uh), campy lobactor, (kam puh loh BAK tur) and salmonella (sal muh
NEHL uh) all multiply in chicken, beef and mayonnaise. These pathogens
cause vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal problems.
The last way diseases spread is by nonliving sources. Nonliving sources
spreads diseases less than people, animals, food and water. Some
pathogens live so long that they can pass person-to-person. Then they
live on things like kitchen sponges and dish clothes. Those things
contain a huge, huge amount of pathogens. F.D.A. Food and Drug
Administration recommend that you replace kitchen sponges and dish
clothes regularly.
Communicable
The main causes of communicable diseases are: Bacteria, 2, Viruses 3.
Fungi and 4. Rickettsiae. These are found worldwide. Bacteria, viruses,
fungi and Rickettsiae have been on earth for more than 395,000,000
years. There is evidence in fossils and rock formations that prove even
Ancient Egyptians had many of the diseases that come from bacteria,
viruses, fungi and Rickettsiae.
Bacteria
Bacteria are very small, one cell organisms. They are found worldwide.
If we did not have bacteria there will be no life on earth. Most
bacteria are not harmful. Many bacteria are needed for plant growth.
One disease that is caused by bacteria is impetigo that is a contagious
skin disease. When you eat cheese you are actually eating a lot of
bacteria, but the bacteria in cheese is good bacteria. Bacteria are
active if the temperature ranges 32 F-160 F. If the environment is
right, bacteria can multiply every 15 minutes. Good bacteria live in
our mouth, organs and on our skin. Most bacteria do not harm our body,
and our body control their growth.
Viruses
Viruses are so small that if you want to look at one you will need an
electron microscope to see it. Viruses multiply by multiplying on
living cells. Viruses causes rang from eye inflammation to Polio even
Rubella (German measles)
Rickettsiae
This cause of disease in not often found in the United States. It is as
small as bacteria and can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever
and typhus. Sometimes it is life threatening. Those diseases are spread
by insects as well.
Fungi
Fungi is found worldwide. Fungi and most bacteria need oxygen. Fungi
very in size and complexity like from one-cell organisms to puffballs.
Sometimes a fungus is varying helpful to humans, but other times it is
not.
Non
infectious
Non infectious are an extremely broad group of illnesses that is not
caused by pathogens. Some important categories of infectious diseases
are 1. Inherited diseases, 2.cancer, 3. Metabolic diseases, 4.disorder
of the immune system, 5. Environmental and occupational diseases. 6.
Diseases associated with aging.
Inherited
diseases
Inherited diseases are the diseases that are past down from our
parents. Sickle hemoglobin is an inherited blood disease. If both
parents have a disease in their genes the child of the parents will
likely get the disease. Some diseases are not inherited but are so
common that they run in families like heart disease and high blood
pressure.
Cancer
People fear cancer a lot. This disease is common everywhere in the
world. What happens in cancer is the cells in your body multiply
without control. Any cancerous cell can cause cancer. Cancer as well
kills it by invading your tissue. Also the cell that caused the cancer
can more to distant parts of your body and start the same cancer, but
in a different part of the body. If not cured, cancer can be fatal.
Cancer can develop either by radiation, viruses, or environmental
causes.
Metabolic
diseases
Metabolic diseases make problems in our metabolism (the system in our
body that maintains our body). Our metabolism nourishes and maintains
it self. The biggest metabolism in our body is our body is our liver!
Our metabolism controls the energy needed to grow, the storage our
body, maintain our skin and repair our skin. Metabolic diseases usually
start by poor nutrition to endocrine disorder.
Disorders of the immune
system
Tissue and cells make our immune system. Our immune system protects our
body against infections and diseases. New born immune systems are very
weak. Immune systems respond to environmental substances such as food,
dust, animals, mold and pollens by causing allergies. The most common
reactions are runny noses, itchy eyes and getting tired easily. One
kind of immune disorder is autoimmune disease which is very common.
What happens is your immune systems attacks its own tissue as if it was
an invader. Another disease is systemic lumpus erythem atosus and (sihs
TEHM ihk LOO puhs ehr uh TOH sihs) also known as SLE. The disease
causes attacks on the heart, lungs, skin, nerves, kidneys and more!
Environmental and
Occupational
Some diseases come from the side out like the air or water. One disease
that is caused by air pollution is Asthma. Noise is another good
example. If you listen to loud noise too much you will get hearing
loss. In addition to that you could also get a stress illness. Smokers
inhale chemicals that can cause cancer, heart disease, and cause non
smokers to inhale the cigarette smoke causing them to have a risk of
getting heart disease and cancer. Smokers make the choice to subject
them selves to these hazards.
Diseases Associated with
aging
There is no avoiding disease when you get older. Some diseases can
cause you to get a disability. Atherosclerosis (ath ur oh skluh ROH
sihs) that is when some fat blocks the arteries to the heart causing a
stroke or heat attack. If you are a part of a American family probably
your grandparent gets more diseases or sicknesses than you? That is
caused because they are older than you and more vulnerable.
Smoking
People usually start smoking mostly because they see other people doing
it and think they have to. Some people think it relives stress and
calms them down. The chemicals in a cigarette are very addicting. Kids
look up to celebrities and if celebrities start smoking in a movie or
on tv kids might also start smoking. Cigarette manufacturers
targettheir advertising to children and teens. For example Joe Camel is
a cartoon character that does cool stuff and always smokes. Teens spend
1.23 billion dollars a year on cigarettes, also one thousand African
Americans die every week from smoking. Seventy percent of all teens
prefer to date non smokers. Smoking gives you bad breath, but some say
if you brush your teeth the stink goes away. Smoking also gives you
wrinkles. Two thirds of all smokers get addicted by age 16, also a
thousand die a day from smoking. Smoking is as addictive as heroin and
nicotine and other hard core drugs. Tobacco kills more people than the
alcohol, cocaine, heroin, homicide, suicide, fires, car-accidents and
AIDS combined!
Prevention
The one big thing you can do to stop many diseases is to prevent them.
Try not to do stuff that might harm your body or just not do things
that might cause bacteria, fungi or viruses to enter the body, and make
you sick. Governments, medical professionals such as a surgeon or
doctor and people themselves are what we rely on to prevent disease.
Governments
The top agency that people rely on for health concerns is WHO (World
Health Organization). WHO helps especially in undeveloped countries,
such as people in Africa. The second bet is CDC (Centre for Disease
Control) and Prevention). They track epidemics and pandemics around the
world and keep data for history. They also set guidelines for
treatment and prevention. In developed countries people need less help.
But for citizens and the poor in the United States do need help. In
developed countries we expect food, clean water, medicine and control
of animals so fewer diseases will spread. In undeveloped countries they
do not take very good care of the animals, environmental pollution and
all the problems we take for granted.
Individuals
If you keep your self-healthy the less everyone else is in risk of
getting sick. The most important thing you can do everyday to
prevent sickness is to wash your hands. Other good things you could do
to prevent disease is to avoidm stress, rest, have a good diet and
exercise. Some personal safety things that can prevent disabilities and
disease are wearing your seat belt and wear your helmet. Also know the
danger of drugs.
Medical
professionals
People like doctors provide medical attention. Immunizations like shots
help prevent diseases or sicknesses. Checkups help to find a problem in
its early stages.
Research
The reason we research diseases is understand the sicknesses so we can
find out how to cure and prevent it. Also how it is transmitted. For
example, if we did now research on AIDS, we would not know how
the disease is transmitted, and how to prevent it, Research is mostly
is done in the laboratory.
Fighting
Diseases
Scientists have learned a lot in recent years about the human body and
how it fights and defends itself from bacteria, viruses and
funguses. The human body has natural barriers and the immune system to
defeat pathogens and other disease causing germs. Medicine also helps
the human body when fighting germs and pathogens.
Natural
Barriers
Our natural barriers can be chemical or physical. Their job is to
stop pathogens from entering our body. For example, when a foreign
object enters our eyes we cry, because our tears have protein in them,
and protein kills pathogens. That is what I mean by chemical and
natural barriers. The best physical barrier we have is our undamaged
and unbroken skin, because how can pathogens enter our body through our
skin when it is unbroken! Other natural barriers are our mucus
membranes in the nose. When pathogens enter the nose, the membranes
release mucus. Then the pathogen gets stuck in the mucus, and dries up
and gets pushed out of our nose. We also have mucus membrane
surrounding our breathing tube called our bronchi (BBRONG Ky) that
protects our lungs. Bronchi cells have cilia (SIHL ee uh) that moves
the mucus-trapped pathogen out of the bronchi, up the windpipe and out
the mouth. Usually we swallow it and then our stomach juices destroy
it. Good bacteria live on our skin, mouth and intestines. Some barriers
though kill certain pathogens.
Medical
Treatment
Ever since Ancient Egyptians roamed the earth we have tried medical
treatments of all kinds. They knew a little, but had no exact
knowledge. Over the centuries our knowledge of medical treatments has
increased a lot. Now we have manydifferent ways for treatments. What
doctors first do is try to identify the sickness from your complaints.
Next, your doctor would probably run some tests to see if you really
have the sickness that your doctor thinks you have.
Medicine
We as human beings use medicine as a cure for almost every sickness we
have. Medicine can be in many different forms, such as pills, liquids,
and injections.
Basics
Since the beginning of time people have tried and succeeded at curing
diseases… even animals. Different methods that humans have tried are
praying to gods, minerals, plants, animals and plant remedies for
cures. In some countries medical treatment is way too expensive.
Commonly used medicine varies a lot. Exercising and having a healthy
diet are mostly how people today prevent disease. If you have a
sickness first what will happen is that you will notice signs and
symptoms. Next, is the diagnosis. Finally, there is the treatment of
the disease or sickness.
Instinctive
Medicine knowledge is found in people as well as animals. When an
animal is ill, its instincts will naturally make the animal vomit, eat
or drink certain things or lie down. In West Africa gorillas eat
several plants that protects the animal from joint pain, intestinal
worms and more!
Chemical
Today we mostly use drugs and surgery to cure the more serious diseases
like cancer. Drugs work really well. The first kinds of drugs were made
out of either plants or animals. In 1785 William Withering wrote “an
account for Foxglove” meaning how to use thu=isplant to cure dropsy. He
was a famous physician. What his drug would do is that the fluid would
gather, in the tissue around the heart. This drug was usually used to
solve heart circulation problems. Withering’s drug worked, but if you
took too much it could be harmful or fatal. The first scientific drug
is still used today. The important chemicals that are used to make
Foxglove are digitalis. We still use the Foxglove today.
Surgical
Ever since 3994 BC people have been trying to repair and remove the
diseased parts, slicing-and-cutting the human body. The tools that were
used in the past are not used anymore, but the old equipment has
inspired new tools and equipment today. Guillotine was an old-fashioned
tonsil remover. It would take the swollen tonsil out by: taking two
small blades and poke in to your tonsil. Then, the two blades would cut
the tonsil out. They stopped using it because it was unsafe.
Tonsillectomy is not always the best treatment. Most people heal all by
themselves.
Systems
Some cultures do not use technology, and chemical medicine such as
Tylenol. They use the spiritual way. In central Africa, Congo, there is
a tribe named Yombe. They have a ceremony where there is a statue.
Then, they hammer-in nails in certain body parts on the statue. That
means that certain place is where the disease struck.
Diagnostic
In the western side of the United States even if you have a cold you go
to the doctor. A Stethoscope helps when maybe you suspect there is a
problem with your heart, or you want to make sure that your heart is
fine.
Science
The only way that we make medicine is by technology. Technology has
also made it possible for us to have machines for different treatments
and diagnosis for the conditions. Electrocardiograph (ECG) monitors
your heart. Why? Well, then your doctor can see if you are in risk of a
heart attack. Even athletes get checked. To make sure how their heart
reacts to physical activities and stress.
Future
In developed countries there is a great amount of money, but some
places such, as parts of the Philippines have not that much money. So
diseases are part of everyday routines. They probably do not have that
much medicine. There are more medications nowadays for all the
different conditions you may have.
Research Summary
Disease: The Basics
A disease is a sickness of the mind or body. It could be serious or
something as minor as a common cold. Diseases can strike at almost any
body part. Sometimes disease can even cause death or disability.
Diseases can affect all types of life, even plants and one-cell
organisms. When humans get ill it can be sudden and can cause long-term
disabilities. During your life there is nearly a 100% guarantee that
you will get ill with some communicable disease caused by bacteria,
fungi or a virus. Older people are more susceptible to diseases.
Bacteria
Bacteria are microscopic one-celled organisms. There are an enormous
number of bacteria on the earth. For example, soil contains a lot of
bacteria. Most bacteria do not cause diseases, but many do and a few
are extremely dangerous. Bacteria live almost everywhere, including in
our mouth, skin and intestines. Resident bacteria protect our body by
either crowding out or killing disease causing bacteria.
Fungi and
Protozoan
A fungus is a tiny type of plant related to yeast and mushrooms.
Some types of fungus can enter your body and cause damage. Different
types of fungus range dramatically in the diseases that they cause. One
disease that is caused by fungi is meningitis (mehn ihn JY tihs). This
deadly disease affects the membranes surrounding the brain.
Protozoans are one-celled organisms. They can live in the body and
cause damage. One type of protozoan is the amoeba which can
cause diarrhea. Another, plasmodia (plaz MOH dee uh), is the
protozoan that causes malaria, an epidemic disease. Pathogens cannot
make food for themselves so they have to break down our body tissue to
eat, or eat our digested food.
Viruses
A virus is so tiny that scientists need an electron microscope to see
it. The only way viruses can multiply is by taking over a living cell.
When the virus multiplies, it kills the cell. Some common viral
diseases are the flu and colds. Others are chicken pox, measles, mumps,
hepatitis, polio, and rabies. AIDS is a disease where the virus
multiplies in certain cells in our immune system and weakens the body’s
defense system. The most common disease that is caused by a virus is
the
flu.
Flu
Overview
There are many different viruses, and types of flu. The flu is a
respiratory infection meaning that the virus enters the lungs or
targets the lungs. Another name for the flu is influenza. People say
that when flu spreads it “knocks you off your feet.” The flu and common
cold are different from each other in several ways. 1.The flu is a
respiratory infection, the common cold is not. 2.The flu is caused by a
different virus than the common cold. 3.The flu causes a fever and a
cold rarely does. 4. The flu causes headaches most of the time, but a
cold rarely causes headaches. 5. The flu causes exhaustion or tiredness
but the cold can cause tiredness, but rarely does. The C.D.C. (Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates 10-30% of all Americans
get the flu every flu season, from about November through March.
Children have three times grater chance to get the flu than adults.
Why? When one kid gets infected and goes to school, chances are that
other kids are going to get infected. That may cause a mini epidemic.
C.D.C. estimates that over 100,000 people are hospitalized every year
from the flu and 32,000 die every year from the flu.
Transmission
You can get flu by a cough, sneeze, or by touching a surface that has
the virus on it. Viruses can pass through air so as you breathe in from
your mouth or nose you can breathe in the flu virus. If you touch a
contaminated surface with your hand and put your hand in your mouth or
nose, you get the viruses. You are also at risk if you live in crowded
living environments or go to a crowded school.
Flu
Complications
You can get the flu complications if you also get a bacterial infection
at the same time. That can cause pneumonia in your weak lungs.
Sometimes when you feel a little better, suddenly you get the flu
complications. The complications may include high fever, chills, chest
pain with each breath and coughing that produces thick mucus. Pneumonia
can be serious and sometimes life threatening.
Flu complications in children and
teens
Reye’s syndrome is a condition that affects the nerves. Sometimes it
develops in children and teens recovering from the flu. It starts out
with vomiting and nausea then starts mental changes such as delirium
and confusion which are the greatest concerns. It usually happens to
kids who are taking aspirin to help them get better. Some other
complications include: convulsions caused by fever, croup, and ear
infection, like otitis media. Newborns have a 50-50% chance of getting
the flu complications.
Symptoms
You will experience flu symptoms 1-4 days after you get infected. You
can also spread the virus to others before you start to see the
symptoms as well as 3-4 days after the symptoms appear. Sometimes you
will see the symptoms early in your sickness. The symptoms usually
include body aches, chills, dry cough, fever, headaches, sore throat
and a stuffy nose. Most of the time, the fever goes away after the 2nd
or 3rd day. The flu rarely causes problems in the intestines and
stomach.
Importance
The flu is an important sickness because it can cause serious
complications. Most people get well again in a week, but may still have
a cough. For people that have certain chronic diseases, elderly and the
newborns the flu complications can be life threatening.
Treatments
You can help yourself to recover from the Flu by: 1. Getting lots of
rest. 2. Drinking a lot of fluids (like water). 3. Taking medicine such
as Tylenol. DO NOT give aspirin to children and teenagers if they have
the flu. Also DO NOT give antibiotics to cure the flu! Antibiotics do
not work on viruses. Antibiotics work on some of the infections caused
by bacteria.
Medicine
People sometimes take a medication to keep them from getting the flu.
Here are the four common vaccinations.
· Tamiflu
(oseltamivir) can be taken children (1 and over) or by adults. This
medicine treats types A and B.
· Relenza (zanamivir)
can be taken by adults and children (7 and older) if they have an
uncompleted infection of the flu and have had symptoms no more that 2
days. This medicine treats types A and B.
· Flumadine
(rimantadine) can be taken by adults and it treats type A only.
· Symmetrel
(amantadine) can be taken by adults and children 1 and over. It
prevents type A. Symmetrel causes more side effects like
lightheadedness and inability to sleep more than Flumadine.
For these medication to work well you must take them within 2 days of
your sickness.
Side
Effects
The most common side effect people have is aching pain in the site
where you got your shot. Other side effects are fever, tiredness and
sore muscles. The side effects start about 12 hours after you get your
shot and lasts about 2 days.
The virus needed for the vaccine is grown in chicken eggs. Thus the
vaccine then carries protein. Then they use a chemical to make it non
Infectious.
Diagnosis
Most of the time H.C.P. (Health Care Providers) diagnose the flu based
on symptoms shown by patients or if there is a community epidemic.
H.C.P. rarely use laboratory test to identify a flu virus. Although
Health Officials monitor health clinics around the U.S. and do
laboratory tests to find out which flu caused that
epidemic.
Prevention
The top way to protect you against the flu is to get a vaccine yearly.
You can get the vaccine at your local clinic or at your doctors. In
some communities you can get them at drug stores, super markets, and
work places. You have to get the flu vaccine every year because every
year the flu virus
changes.
Vaccine
Recommendations
The following groups should get the flu vaccine: People who are 50
years or older; those with a chronic disease of the kidneys, lungs or
heart, or diabetes; people with an immune system that is not working
properly; those with a severe form of anemia; women that are more than
3 month pregnant; those who live in a nursing home or are in contact
with children 0-23 months. The C.D.C. (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention) suggests a child 6-23 months should get the vaccine. Also
children and teens ages 2-18 years old taking aspirin should get the
vaccine because they may be at risk for getting Reye’s Syndrome
followed by the flu. If you live with anyone listed above.
Outbreaks
The flu usually affects people in late fall and winter. If the flu goes
through a community and affects a lot of people that is called an
epidemic. The flu affects a lot of people in the first 3 weeks and goes
away after another 3-4 weeks. Half the population of a community may be
infected and sometimes more. This is often because of schools. If one
kid gets infected and goes to school,chances are that someone else will
get infected.
Flu outbreaks since
1918
If the flu is new or returning after a very long time, it can spread
person- person and easily spread fast around the world, causing serious
sickness and killing millions in it’s way. That would be called flu
pandemic.
In 1918 the Spanish Flu was the worst flu pandemic in all history. More
than 20 million people died worldwide. More than 500,000 people died in
the United States alone. This virus killed fast and easily.
In 1957 and1968 the Asian flu and the Hong Kong Flu took over the
United States. Lots of people died … thousand! But that did not top the
Spanish Flu.
In 1976 the United States had a swine flu scare. A new virus was
discovered at Fort Dix, New Jersey. They called it “The Killer Flu”.
The researchers thought that the whole world might get infected, but it
never did leave the Fort Dix area. Researchers who have studied this
virus estimated if it would have spread it would have been a lot less
deadly that the Spanish flu.
In 1997 a new flu virus infected 18 people. Six died shortly after
being infected. Most viruses first infect chickens then move to pigs,
and finally to humans. But this flu infected chickens and then to
humans. That bird flu did not become a pandemic because it did not
spread easily. Also public health authorities slaughtered all living
chickens in Hong Kong.
In 2003 a flu labeled H5N1 caused 2 Hong Kong people hospitalized and 1
killed, which was a 33-year-old man killed after his visit to China.
Netherlands, Canada and Egypt have had several strains of the flu that
has caused many illnesses.
In January 21, 2005 flu H5N1 caused 52 people in Vietnam and Thailand
became ill and 37 died. Researchers are worried because this flu is
transmitted by bids and is starting to become epidemic in India and it
is very, very deadly.
Research
Epidemics have occurred in communities, but there has not been a
pandemic since 1968. Scientists are very worried that a new flu strain
will appear in this century and will cause a pandemic so bad that they
will not know how to cure it. That is why institutes and health
departments are tracking flu outbreaks in the human world and animal
world too. For example, NIAD (National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases) supports research to find out how to treat the
flu, develop better vaccines, and find out how viruses work.
Infectious vs. Noninfectious
The top five ways diseases spread are: 1. People, 2. Animals, 3. Water,
4. Food and 5. Nonliving sources. The bacteria, virus or fungus that
gets in the human body and makes you sick can enter through your mouth,
nose, ear, eye or any cut or wound. That is why we cover our cuts with
band-aids! Then after entering our bodies the bacteria or fungi start
to multiply (one bacterium divides into two. Then those two grow and
divide into four … and so on). Viruses on the other hand go and attack
our cells and use our cell’s DNA to multiply.
People spread diseases directly, person-to-person. For example, if I
sneeze and you are in front of me and if you breathe in my contaminated
air you just got my germs…. DIRECTLY!!!!!!! “Communicable” is another
word meaning diseases that spread person-to-person. Some other
communicable diseases are: AIDS, colds, hepatitis, pneumonia, sore
throat and tuberculosis… they mostly spread by the human hand. Colds
even usually spread by hands and then the virus or bacteria or fungi
enters the body through the mouth, nose or the human eye, if we rub our
eyes, pick our nose or touch our mouth. They also can spread by coughs
or sneezes.
The second major disease spreaders are animals, including our cats and
dogs! Some of the tiniest insects can cause and spread diseases. Some
very small insects cause very, very, serious and life-threatening
diseases or conditions. The animals that cause diseases range from tiny
insects, to deer and even bigger animals! Blood sucking animals like
mosquitoes and fleas are the most dangerous. Mosquitoes can carry
malaria, yellow fever and things like that. Fleas though carry diseases
like plaque… and when plaque becomes epidemic or a pandemic it kills
millions in its way. Ticks (insects that are related to spiders) spread
Lymes disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and much more. Birds or
mammals both can carry rabies. So can bats, cats, raccoons, dogs,
skunks and more. Just one bite and you can get infected right
away. Psittacosis (siht uh KOH sihs) that is a bird disease, but
humans can get it too.
The third way diseases spread is by water. In most poor countries water
is dirty, and that is the #1 cause of diseases. Also in poor countries
they lack a way to treat sewage from toilets and purification of water.
So that means in poor countries waste enters into their drinking water,
then bacteria, worms, pathogens and protozoans enter your body and
cause diarrhea and more intestinal disorders. Sometimes even in
developed countries (like the U.S.) sewage unexpectedly enters the
drinking water.
The fourth way disease spreads is by food. Bacteria called E coli (EE
KOH uh), campy lobactor, (kam puh loh BAK tur) and salmonella (sal muh
NEHL uh) all multiply in chicken, beef and mayonnaise. These pathogens
cause vomiting, diarrhea and intestinal problems.
The last way diseases spread is by nonliving sources. Nonliving sources
spreads diseases less than people, animals, food and water. Some
pathogens live so long that they can pass person-to-person. Then they
live on things like kitchen sponges and dish clothes. Those things
contain a huge, huge amount of pathogens. F.D.A. Food and Drug
Administration recommend that you replace kitchen sponges and dish
clothes regularly.
Communicable
The main causes of communicable diseases are: Bacteria, 2, Viruses 3.
Fungi and 4. Rickettsiae. These are found worldwide. Bacteria, viruses,
fungi and Rickettsiae have been on earth for more than 395,000,000
years. There is evidence in fossils and rock formations that prove even
Ancient Egyptians had many of the diseases that come from bacteria,
viruses, fungi and Rickettsiae.
Bacteria
Bacteria are very small, one cell organisms. They are found worldwide.
If we did not have bacteria there will be no life on earth. Most
bacteria are not harmful. Many bacteria are needed for plant growth.
One disease that is caused by bacteria is impetigo that is a contagious
skin disease. When you eat cheese you are actually eating a lot of
bacteria, but the bacteria in cheese is good bacteria. Bacteria are
active if the temperature ranges 32 F-160 F. If the environment is
right, bacteria can multiply every 15 minutes. Good bacteria live in
our mouth, organs and on our skin. Most bacteria do not harm our body,
and our body control their growth.
Viruses
Viruses are so small that if you want to look at one you will need an
electron microscope to see it. Viruses multiply by multiplying on
living cells. Viruses causes rang from eye inflammation to Polio even
Rubella (German measles)
Rickettsiae
This cause of disease in not often found in the United States. It is as
small as bacteria and can cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever
and typhus. Sometimes it is life threatening. Those diseases are spread
by insects as well.
Fungi
Fungi is found worldwide. Fungi and most bacteria need oxygen. Fungi
very in size and complexity like from one-cell organisms to puffballs.
Sometimes a fungus is varying helpful to humans, but other times it is
not.
Non
infectious
Non infectious are an extremely broad group of illnesses that is not
caused by pathogens. Some important categories of infectious diseases
are 1. Inherited diseases, 2.cancer, 3. Metabolic diseases, 4.disorder
of the immune system, 5. Environmental and occupational diseases. 6.
Diseases associated with aging.
Inherited
diseases
Inherited diseases are the diseases that are past down from our
parents. Sickle hemoglobin is an inherited blood disease. If both
parents have a disease in their genes the child of the parents will
likely get the disease. Some diseases are not inherited but are so
common that they run in families like heart disease and high blood
pressure.
Cancer
People fear cancer a lot. This disease is common everywhere in the
world. What happens in cancer is the cells in your body multiply
without control. Any cancerous cell can cause cancer. Cancer as well
kills it by invading your tissue. Also the cell that caused the cancer
can more to distant parts of your body and start the same cancer, but
in a different part of the body. If not cured, cancer can be fatal.
Cancer can develop either by radiation, viruses, or environmental
causes.
Metabolic
diseases
Metabolic diseases make problems in our metabolism (the system in our
body that maintains our body). Our metabolism nourishes and maintains
it self. The biggest metabolism in our body is our body is our liver!
Our metabolism controls the energy needed to grow, the storage our
body, maintain our skin and repair our skin. Metabolic diseases usually
start by poor nutrition to endocrine disorder.
Disorders of the immune
system
Tissue and cells make our immune system. Our immune system protects our
body against infections and diseases. New born immune systems are very
weak. Immune systems respond to environmental substances such as food,
dust, animals, mold and pollens by causing allergies. The most common
reactions are runny noses, itchy eyes and getting tired easily. One
kind of immune disorder is autoimmune disease which is very common.
What happens is your immune systems attacks its own tissue as if it was
an invader. Another disease is systemic lumpus erythem atosus and (sihs
TEHM ihk LOO puhs ehr uh TOH sihs) also known as SLE. The disease
causes attacks on the heart, lungs, skin, nerves, kidneys and more!
Environmental and
Occupational
Some diseases come from the side out like the air or water. One disease
that is caused by air pollution is Asthma. Noise is another good
example. If you listen to loud noise too much you will get hearing
loss. In addition to that you could also get a stress illness. Smokers
inhale chemicals that can cause cancer, heart disease, and cause non
smokers to inhale the cigarette smoke causing them to have a risk of
getting heart disease and cancer. Smokers make the choice to subject
them selves to these hazards.
Diseases Associated with
aging
There is no avoiding disease when you get older. Some diseases can
cause you to get a disability. Atherosclerosis (ath ur oh skluh ROH
sihs) that is when some fat blocks the arteries to the heart causing a
stroke or heat attack. If you are a part of a American family probably
your grandparent gets more diseases or sicknesses than you? That is
caused because they are older than you and more vulnerable.
Smoking
People usually start smoking mostly because they see other people doing
it and think they have to. Some people think it relives stress and
calms them down. The chemicals in a cigarette are very addicting. Kids
look up to celebrities and if celebrities start smoking in a movie or
on tv kids might also start smoking. Cigarette manufacturers
targettheir advertising to children and teens. For example Joe Camel is
a cartoon character that does cool stuff and always smokes. Teens spend
1.23 billion dollars a year on cigarettes, also one thousand African
Americans die every week from smoking. Seventy percent of all teens
prefer to date non smokers. Smoking gives you bad breath, but some say
if you brush your teeth the stink goes away. Smoking also gives you
wrinkles. Two thirds of all smokers get addicted by age 16, also a
thousand die a day from smoking. Smoking is as addictive as heroin and
nicotine and other hard core drugs. Tobacco kills more people than the
alcohol, cocaine, heroin, homicide, suicide, fires, car-accidents and
AIDS combined!
Prevention
The one big thing you can do to stop many diseases is to prevent them.
Try not to do stuff that might harm your body or just not do things
that might cause bacteria, fungi or viruses to enter the body, and make
you sick. Governments, medical professionals such as a surgeon or
doctor and people themselves are what we rely on to prevent disease.
Governments
The top agency that people rely on for health concerns is WHO (World
Health Organization). WHO helps especially in undeveloped countries,
such as people in Africa. The second bet is CDC (Centre for Disease
Control) and Prevention). They track epidemics and pandemics around the
world and keep data for history. They also set guidelines for
treatment and prevention. In developed countries people need less help.
But for citizens and the poor in the United States do need help. In
developed countries we expect food, clean water, medicine and control
of animals so fewer diseases will spread. In undeveloped countries they
do not take very good care of the animals, environmental pollution and
all the problems we take for granted.
Individuals
If you keep your self-healthy the less everyone else is in risk of
getting sick. The most important thing you can do everyday to
prevent sickness is to wash your hands. Other good things you could do
to prevent disease is to avoidm stress, rest, have a good diet and
exercise. Some personal safety things that can prevent disabilities and
disease are wearing your seat belt and wear your helmet. Also know the
danger of drugs.
Medical
professionals
People like doctors provide medical attention. Immunizations like shots
help prevent diseases or sicknesses. Checkups help to find a problem in
its early stages.
Research
The reason we research diseases is understand the sicknesses so we can
find out how to cure and prevent it. Also how it is transmitted. For
example, if we did now research on AIDS, we would not know how
the disease is transmitted, and how to prevent it, Research is mostly
is done in the laboratory.
Fighting
Diseases
Scientists have learned a lot in recent years about the human body and
how it fights and defends itself from bacteria, viruses and
funguses. The human body has natural barriers and the immune system to
defeat pathogens and other disease causing germs. Medicine also helps
the human body when fighting germs and pathogens.
Natural Barriers
Our natural barriers can be chemical or physical. Their job is to
stop pathogens from entering our body. For example, when a foreign
object enters our eyes we cry, because our tears have protein in them,
and protein kills pathogens. That is what I mean by chemical and
natural barriers. The best physical barrier we have is our undamaged
and unbroken skin, because how can pathogens enter our body through our
skin when it is unbroken! Other natural barriers are our mucus
membranes in the nose. When pathogens enter the nose, the membranes
release mucus. Then the pathogen gets stuck in the mucus, and dries up
and gets pushed out of our nose. We also have mucus membrane
surrounding our breathing tube called our bronchi (BBRONG Ky) that
protects our lungs. Bronchi cells have cilia (SIHL ee uh) that moves
the mucus-trapped pathogen out of the bronchi, up the windpipe and out
the mouth. Usually we swallow it and then our stomach juices destroy
it. Good bacteria live on our skin, mouth and intestines. Some barriers
though kill certain pathogens.
Medical Treatment
Ever since Ancient Egyptians roamed the earth we have tried medical
treatments of all kinds. They knew a little, but had no exact
knowledge. Over the centuries our knowledge of medical treatments has
increased a lot. Now we have manydifferent ways for treatments. What
doctors first do is try to identify the sickness from your complaints.
Next, your doctor would probably run some tests to see if you really
have the sickness that your doctor thinks you have.
Medicine
We as human beings use medicine as a cure for almost every sickness we
have. Medicine can be in many different forms, such as pills, liquids,
and injections.
Basics
Since the beginning of time people have tried and succeeded at curing
diseases… even animals. Different methods that humans have tried are
praying to gods, minerals, plants, animals and plant remedies for
cures. In some countries medical treatment is way too expensive.
Commonly used medicine varies a lot. Exercising and having a healthy
diet are mostly how people today prevent disease. If you have a
sickness first what will happen is that you will notice signs and
symptoms. Next, is the diagnosis. Finally, there is the treatment of
the disease or sickness.
Instinctive
Medicine knowledge is found in people as well as animals. When an
animal is ill, its instincts will naturally make the animal vomit, eat
or drink certain things or lie down. In West Africa gorillas eat
several plants that protects the animal from joint pain, intestinal
worms and more!
Chemical
Today we mostly use drugs and surgery to cure the more serious diseases
like cancer. Drugs work really well. The first kinds of drugs were made
out of either plants or animals. In 1785 William Withering wrote “an
account for Foxglove” meaning how to use thu=isplant to cure dropsy. He
was a famous physician. What his drug would do is that the fluid would
gather, in the tissue around the heart. This drug was usually used to
solve heart circulation problems. Withering’s drug worked, but if you
took too much it could be harmful or fatal. The first scientific drug
is still used today. The important chemicals that are used to make
Foxglove are digitalis. We still use the Foxglove today.
Surgical
Ever since 3994 BC people have been trying to repair and remove the
diseased parts, slicing-and-cutting the human body. The tools that were
used in the past are not used anymore, but the old equipment has
inspired new tools and equipment today. Guillotine was an old-fashioned
tonsil remover. It would take the swollen tonsil out by: taking two
small blades and poke in to your tonsil. Then, the two blades would cut
the tonsil out. They stopped using it because it was unsafe.
Tonsillectomy is not always the best treatment. Most people heal all by
themselves.
Systems
Some cultures do not use technology, and chemical medicine such as
Tylenol. They use the spiritual way. In central Africa, Congo, there is
a tribe named Yombe. They have a ceremony where there is a statue.
Then, they hammer-in nails in certain body parts on the statue. That
means that certain place is where the disease struck.
Diagnostic
In the western side of the United States even if you have a cold you go
to the doctor. A Stethoscope helps when maybe you suspect there is a
problem with your heart, or you want to make sure that your heart is
fine.
Science
The only way that we make medicine is by technology. Technology has
also made it possible for us to have machines for different treatments
and diagnosis for the conditions. Electrocardiograph (ECG) monitors
your heart. Why? Well, then your doctor can see if you are in risk of a
heart attack. Even athletes get checked. To make sure how their heart
reacts to physical activities and stress.
Future
In developed countries there is a great amount of money, but some
places such, as parts of the Philippines have not that much money. So
diseases are part of everyday routines. They probably do not have that
much medicine. There are more medications nowadays for all the
different conditions you may have.
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