Diseases And Your Defense Systems

A disease is a condition that affects the ability of your body to function normally.

There are many types of diseases that can affect your health and body.

Diseases are caused by germs infection.

Some diseases are mild such as colds and others are more serious such cancer.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are diseases that are spread from person to person, you can catch diseases from an infected person.

Examples of infectious diseases are,

• HIV/AIDS (Human immunodeficiency virus infection / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

• Chicken pox

Noninfectious or non-communicable Diseases

Noninfectious diseases are diseases that cannot be spread from person to person.

Examples of non-infectious diseases are,

• Down Syndrome

• Diabetes

Diseases are due to many causes,

• Poor diet / Overeating leads to diarrhea

• Low minerals and vitamins lead to lethargy

• Worn out joint leads to arthritis

Earlier, people are vague and has incorrect ideas about what causes diseases.

This began to change with the invention of microscopes.

In the 19th century, scientists confirmed that germs cause many diseases.

Germs

Germs are microscopic living things that enter your body and make you sick.

Germs spread through air, water and food and also through close contact with an infected person.

No matter how hard you try, you will never get rid of germs.

They are everywhere, present in most everyday objects that you touch, such as keys, door knobs / handles, coins, dollar bills, wallet, shoes, keyboards, pens, pencils and particularly toilet seats.

You can stop the spreading of germs by,

• Washing your hand with soap after using the toilet.

• Keep your kitchen surfaces and equipment clean.

• Foods should be kept cool or frozen to prevent germs from growing on them.

• Cover your mouth when you sneeze.

Bacteria, fungi and protists are examples of germs and viruses are germs made of genetic materials.

Genetic materials stores information of life form and is passed from parents to offspring.

Your body has defense systems to protect you from diseases.

These defense systems are the reasons why you able to stay healthy and help you recover from sickness of diseases attack.

Your body defense systems

Your body has three lines of defence to fight invading germs.

1. First line of defence

Your body’s barriers from the environmental elements are,

• Skin

• Tears

• Mucus in your nose and throat

• Acid in your stomach

2. Second line of defence

Blood - if germs enter through a cut your white blood cell will destroy them.

Body temperature - A rise in your body temperature called fever helps to slow down the growth of germs.

3. Third line of defence

Immune System – Makes antibodies in your blood, it recognizes problematic germs and destroy them.

Vaccines

Vaccines can be used to fight against diseases, vaccines work by preparing your immune system to fight a specific kind of germs.

Diseases such as polio and smallpox can be eliminated by using vaccines.

Posted by: Mo Salle

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