Infectious Diseases: Causes, Prevention, and Defense

How Infectious Diseases Spread

Infectious diseases can spread through various means:

• Water: Consuming water contaminated with feces from humans or animals.
• Food: Eating fruits and vegetables irrigated with contaminated water or improper food handling.
• Animals: Through disease vectors. For example, the Anopheles mosquito transmits malaria.

Stages of Infectious Disease Development

The development of infectious diseases involves several stages:

• Infection: The organism enters the body.
• Incubation Period: The time from infection to the appearance of symptoms.
• Period of Manifestation: The disease is fully manifested, with symptoms like fever and pain.
• Period of Decline: Symptoms subside due to the immune system and medications.
• Convalescence: The patient recovers and returns to health.

Preventing Infectious Diseases

Preventive measures include:

• Avoid drinking water from potentially contaminated sources.
• Store and handle food according to package instructions.
• Boil water.
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
• Wash hands after using the toilet.
• Use condoms.

Nonspecific Defense Mechanisms

The body employs nonspecific defense mechanisms:

• Skin: Microorganisms cannot penetrate unless there is an injury.
• Mucous Membranes: Epithelium lining cavities (stomach, respiratory, genitals) coated with mucus and secretions that destroy microorganisms (acidic pH, enzymes).
• Inflammation: The area of infection shows redness, swelling, increased temperature, and pain. White blood cells are involved.