Health, Disease, and Prevention
Core Definitions
Health
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.
Illness (Malady)
A state of poor health or sickness, often characterized by symptoms like difficulty sleeping due to a malfunction of the body.
Infectious Diseases
Are those caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Non-Infectious Diseases
Are
not produced by pathogenic microorganisms and therefore are not contagious. The causes include:
- Bad habits.
- Environmental factors.
- Deterioration of the body (e.g., age, trauma).
- Genetic abnormalities.
Disease Transmission Routes
Direct Contact Transmission
Causes skin diseases, digestive diseases, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Transmission via Contaminated Water
If the water receives no treatment, drinking it allows microorganisms to enter the body.
Transmission via Food
Foods should also receive treatment (preparation/sanitation) to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Transmission via Animal Vectors
Example: Malaria.
Healthy Lifestyles and Public Health
Individual Healthy Lifestyles
Includes:
- Sports and outdoor activities.
- Maintaining a regular schedule.
- Following a regular and balanced diet.
- Avoiding toxic substances and practicing good hygiene.
Collective Lifestyles (Public Health)
Includes:
- Access to healthcare for all citizens.
- Health monitoring and control of drinking water.
- Air pollution control.
- Management of urban waste.
The Body's Defense Mechanisms
The Skin Barrier
The difficulty most microorganisms have crossing the skin, unless there is a wound.
Mucous Membranes
Mucous membranes and their secretions coat and block body cavities, helping to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.
Inflammation Response
Consists of a response by the body when pathogenic microorganisms or foreign particles traverse the skin. This part of the skin
reddens, swells, increases its temperature, and hurts. White blood cells (leukocytes) move to the area to
phagocytize the microorganisms—that is, surround and destroy them. The pus that forms at the site of inflammation is composed of destroyed pathogens and white blood cells.
Specific Immunity (The Immune System)
Mechanisms that are part of the immune system, which identify pathogenic microorganisms and produce a defense strategy. The most important components are white blood cells, also called
lymphocytes. These white blood cells, besides phagocytizing, can create
antibodies to destroy pathogens.
Medical Interventions
Vaccines
A preparation of microorganisms that are killed or weakened (attenuated) so that they stimulate the production of necessary antibodies by white blood cells.
Serum (Antiserum)
Prepared antibodies that are capable of destroying pathogenic microorganisms immediately.
Antibiotics
Substances produced by microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria that inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. The first antibiotic was
penicillin, discovered by the Scottish physician Alexander Fleming.
