Lec10

Health and Hygiene Mental

Health Physical

Environmental

Health The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

So health is defined as a state of the body when all the organs and systems are functioning properly according to their physiology and a perfect balance is maintained between the environment and the body.

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CONGENITAL DISEASES: These are diseases which are present from the time of birth, due to some genetic disorders, e.g. Haemophilia [Hemophilia A results from a deficiency (lack) of clotting factor VIII], Color blindness. 2. ACQUIRED DISEASES: These diseases develop after birth due to environmental reasons. Various physical non-living agents such as heat, cold, radiation, humidity, pressure, electricity, sound are responsible for causing such diseases.

Disease Disease is a condition which impairs health and interferes with the normal physiological functioning of the body. Disease is also defined as the illness of the body or mind caused by infections or internal disorders that inhibits proper functioning of the organism. Disease can be grouped into two categories: a. Congenital diseases

b. Acquired disease

D is e a s e C o n g e n it a l I n fe c t io u s

A c q u ir e d N o n - in fe c t io u s

Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases are caused by the infection of a pathogen or germ in to the body of the host. Pathogens are parasitic organisms which cause disease. They include virus, bacteria worms, protozoa and fungi. The organism in which the pathogen lives and reproduces is called host. The common infectious diseases are common cold, chicken pox, influenza, jaundice, mumps, AIDS, cholera, tetanus, tuberculosis, whooping caugh, leprosy, pneumonia, diphtheria.

Non-infectious diseases: are also known as non-communicable or non-transmittable diseases. They remain confined to the diseased person and do not infect others by contact or through vectors (pathogens).

COMMON NON-INFECTIOUS DISEASES 1. Degenerative diseases-Which are caused by the

malfunctioning of the vital organs of the body like heart, lungs, central nervous system, kidney, etc. Examplesarthritis, cataract, hypertension, heart diseases, etc. a) Hypertension: Which is caused due to emotional stress and nervous tension. b) Arteriosclerosis: Is caused due to the deposition of cholesterol and calcium on the walls of the artery, leading to their hardening and thickening, thereby reducing the blood flow. c) Coronary thrombosis: Which is a condition where the blood supply to the heart is blocked. This leads to heart attacks.

• Allergy It is caused due to hypersensitivity of parts of the body to certain foreign sub-stances like dust, cold, drugs, food stuffs like eggs, prawn, vegetables, etc. Any substance that causes allergy is called an allergen. Hay-fever and asthma are two common allergy diseases.

• Deficiency disease Are caused due to the deficiency of essential nutrients in the diet, eg, Kwashiorkor (proteins), Beri-beri (Vitamin B1), Scurvy (Vitamin C), Anaemia ( Iron) .

• Cancer • Cancer is caused due to the uncontrolled growth of tissues and chromosome numbers in certain part of the body. The causative agent has been identified as virus. So far, cancer is known to be a noninfectious disease. • Hormone disorders • Under-secretion (hypo) or over-secretion (hyper) of hormones leads to disorders referred to as hormonal or glandular diseases, eg, goiter (A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is not cancer), Diabetes mellitus, dwarfism, etc.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES • Infectious diseases are caused by disease-causing organisms called pathogens. Microorganisms which live in the cells of plants or animals and feed on the cytoplasm called parasite. Parasitic organisms which cause diseases are called pathogen. The organism in which they live and reproduce is called host. • All viruses are pathogens but only a small proportion of bacteria are pathogenic.

BACTERIAL DISEASES Bacteria are one of the common disease causing organisms. They are present all around us. In this section, we shall discuss the diseases caused by bacteria and their modes of control.

Tuberculosis (TB) • Cause : Tuberculosis is caused by a bacillus bacterium “Mycobacterium tuberculosis”. The bacterium usually enters the body through the nose or mouth and affects the lungs. The germs may be carried by air or dust. The disease is spread by sputum from the infected persons. The incubation period is about 2-10 weeks, during which the bacteria multiply and produce a toxin called tuberculin, which causes the disease. • Symptoms: The bacteria damages the lung tissues and gives rise to fever, chest pain, blood in the sputum, loss of weight and persistent cough. • Preventive measures: – Isolation of TB patients. – Inoculation with BCG (Bacillus-calmette-guerin) vaccine. • Treatment: Drugs like streptomycin, para-amino salicyclioc acid.etc

Cholera • Cause: Cholera is caused by a comma-shaped bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The incubation period is 2-6 days. The cholera germ is spread through food and water. The contamination spreads through dust and houseflies. The flies sit on the faeces of the infected person and mechanically carry the germs to food and water. • Symptoms: Cholera is an acute disease characterized by acute diarrhea, muscular cramps, and rice water stools, sunken eyes, and shriveled fingertips, loss of minerals in urine, low blood pressure, and dehydration leading to death. • Preventive measures – – – – –

Proper sanitation. Underground disposal of infected human faeces. Properly covered food materials. Immunization with cholera vaccine and anticholera injections. Use of boiled water and properly cooked food.

• Treatment: Antibiotic tetracycline is very effective for the treatment of cholera.

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Cholera In Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, cholera outbreaks occur regularly twice a year, both before and after monsoon. (ICDDR, B Annual Report, 1998) Case-control studies have shown that, in Bangladesh, the rate of contamination of household water with V. cholerae 01 is significantly higher in water used for cooking than in water used for drinking. However, only 0.13% of the food samples cultured were contaminated with V. cholerae 01. indicating the risk of food-borne transmission of cholera during the non-epidemic season. Nevertheless, V cholerae 01 has been isolated from aquatic flora and fauna in this region (Islam MS, Miah MA, Hasan MK, Sack RB), including blue- green algae (reservoir of V. cholerare 01. (Islam MS, Miah MA, et al) Transmission of cholera through contaminated foods served by street vendors and restaurants should be considered: in Dhaka, there were two outbreaks of cholera in 1974 and 19

Tetanus • Cause: The disease is caused by tetanus bacteria Clostridium tetani contacted through deep wounds, cuts or sometimes by a tiny pin-prick or a scratch. Tetanus bacteria are present worldwide and are commonly found in soil, dust and nature. • Symptoms: Tetanus does not spread by contact from person to person. Tetanus commonly called “lockjaw” symptom affects the nervous system leading to stiffness of the muscles of jaw, stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing. • Preventive measures: Vaccination is the best way to protect against tetanus. Due to widespread immunization tetanus is now a rare disease. A combination shot of Td vaccine protects against tetanus and diphtheria. • Treatment: Adults who have never received immunization against tetanus should start with a 3-dose primary series given over 7 to 12 months.

Diphtheria • Cause: Diphtheria is caused by a bacillus bacterium, Corynebacterium diptheriae. It generally affects children up to the age group of 5 years. The bacteria spread through air and dust. The germ is generally spread through sneezing and coughing. • Symptoms: Diphtheria is characterized by inflammation of mucous membrane of nose, throat and tonsil. In severe cases, the respiratory tract is blocked causing difficulty in breathing and even death due to choking. • Prevention and treatment: • The disease can be prevented by inoculating DPT (DiphtheriaPertussis-Tetanus) vaccine within six months of the birth of the baby. It is also called Triple Antigen. First DPT vaccine is given when the baby is about six months old. • Diphtheria antitoxins are given within 24 hours of appearance of the symptoms. Penicillin and erythromycin antibiotics are recommended.

Control of Bacteria 3. Persons infected by bacterial diseases like tuberculosis, cholera, etc, should be isolated from one another. This can control the spread of bacteria from infected persons. 5. Bacteria can be killed or inactivated at very high or very low temperatures. Drinking water should always be boiled before use since heat kills the bacterial germs present. 7. Vaccination is an effective method of controlling bacterial infection. 9. Bacterial has a definite role in spoilage of food stuffs. It can be controlled /checked by heating food at regular intervals or by storing foods in refrigerators. 11. Strong sunlight, Ultra violates rays, Gamma rays; X rays are used for killing bacteria and preserving food items. 13. Antiseptics like iodine, spirit, check the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms.

VIRAL DISEASE Viruses are mostly smaller than bacteria and can be seen only with the electron microscope. Common viral diseases are common cold, chicken pox, poliomyelitis and the recently widespread AIDS

The common cold • Cause: It is a common infectious viral disease. It is caused by a rhinovirus. It is spread by droplet infection and contact. • Symptoms: The symptoms of the disease develop within 12-78 hours after infection. The common symptoms are dry throat, watering of the eyes, copious secretion of watery mucus from the nose, swollen nasal membranes, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms last for a few days, but the damage by the virus to nose and throat membranes often allow Streptococcus bacteria to invade. This secondary bacterial infection gibes rise to sore throat, cough etc. • Though the body develops immunity to the cold, there are at least 80 different strains of rhinovirus as well as other species which causes cold. • Treatment: There is no cure for cold. Antibiotics are ineffective against rhinoviruses, but they may be prescribed to combat a secondary bacterial infection if it is acute or persistent.

Influenza (flu) • Cause: It is caused by a virus which exists in three strains, A, B and C. The virus attacks the lining of the throat and respiratory passages giving rise to inflammation of the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. The incubation period is 24-72 hours. It tends to occur in epidemic form. • Symptoms: Fever, headache, dry cough, mild sore throat. The symptoms subside in 2-4 days but the damage to the respiratory lining may allow streptococci to invade, causing a secondary bacterial infection. • Prevention and treatment An effective vaccine called Salk Vaccine has been developed from dead virus. The human body is given three doses of killed viruses at intervals of 4-6 weeks in the age group of 3-12 months. Oral Live Sabin Vaccine is given orally and is called OPV vaccine (Oral Polio Vaccine). Nowadays, polio vaccines are combined with DPT. Physiotherapy and orthopaedic measures are adopted.

AIDS AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by the human Immuno-deficiency Virus of HIV. The virus attacks the white blood cells which help to protect the body against disease. People with HIV eventually become ill and are said to have AIDS. A person does not catch HIV by breathing the same air as someone with the virus, by touching them or by Using the same shower, cutlery, furniture or toilet. HIV gets into the body when someone has sexual intercourse with an infected person, it they have a transfusion of infected blood, or if they inject themselves with an infected needle. If a pregnant woman has HIV, she is fairly likely to pass the virus on to her baby. Such babies do not always develop AIDS.

• AIDS was first recognized in 1981 and there are now 18 million people in the world known to have HIV. Most are in North and South America, Central Africa and Western Europe. There are also increasingly large numbers in Asia. AIDS is a significant cause of death in men and women under the age of 45 years and of children under 5years. • Scientists are trying to find a cure and a vaccine to protect people against HIV. Information and education about HIV and AIDS are important in the fight against the disease.

Parasitic diseases • Apart from bacteria and virus, several parasites like fungi, protozoa, worms and mites also cause diseases in man. Some parasites infect our body and cause severe damage. • Common helminthes are the parasites that reside in our digestive system and cause intestine disorders.

Round Worm Causal Organism: Ascaris lumbricoids Disease name: Ascaris Cause: Human beings get the infection by consuming food and water contaminated with infective eggs. In the intestine, the hatched eggs with their hook-like structure penetrates the intestine-wall and migrate to the liver and from there to the heart and lungs, finally they return back to the intestine and develop into adult parasites. Symptoms: Adult ascaris in the intestine causes abdominal pain vomiting, headache, irritability and dizziness. In extreme cases adult worms may cause to intestinal destruction. Control/Prevention: Proper sanitary habits to be followed. Eatables to be washed in clean water and covered properly, washing hands properly before meals can help reduce the chances of infection.

Tapeworm Causal Organism: Taenia solium Disease Name: Taeniasis This is also known as “porkworm”. Adult worms get attached to the wall of the small intestine by suckers and hooks. This disease is common in areas where pigs are domesticated and their pork in eaten. Pig is the intermediary or secondary host in the life-cycle of a Tapeworm whereas the man is the primary host. Cause: Human infection is direct and oral. It occurs by eating raw and under-cooked pork. Infection to vegetarian occurs through improperly washed vegetables. Symptoms: Disease caused by tapeworm-Taeniasis is characterized by abdominal pain, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, anaemia etc. Prevention: Eating of thoroughly cooked pork is a good preventive measure. Proper sanitation of human faeces, cleaning of eatables by clean water are also very important.

Amoebic Dysentery • Cause: It is caused by an amoebic parasite, “Entamoeba histolytica”. It lives in the large intestine and destroys the lining of the intestinal wall. Contaminated food spreads the infection and flies are the chief carriers (Vectors) of the disease. • Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, discharge of mucus and sometimes blood with stools. • Preventive measures: Since the disease spreads through contaminated food, hygienic conditions must be maintained with proper sanitation. Food articles must be covered and protected from dust and flies.

Hygiene • Hygiene is commonly understood as preventing infection through cleanliness. In broader call, scientific terms hygiene is the maintenance of health and healthy living. Hygiene ranges from personal hygiene, through domestic up to occupational hygiene and public health; and involves healthy diet, cleanliness, and mental health. • The term hygiene originates as a reference to Hygieia, who was a daughter of Asclepius and the goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation.

Hygiene • Good hygiene is an aid to health, beauty, comfort, and social interactions. It directly aids in disease prevention and/or disease isolation • Washing (with water) is the most common example of hygienic behavior. Washing is often done with soap or detergent which helps to remove oils and to break up dirt particles so they may be washed away. Frequent hand washing is among the most common hygienic advice.

• getting a good night's sleep • eating a good breakfast (don't skip breakfast because it gives you the energy you need to make it through to lunch) • dental care (brush & floss daily, visit your dentist regularly and don't eat too many sweets) • wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading germs

• take a bath daily to keep the dirt and odors away (use deodorant daily if you are ready) • get plenty of exercise by walking, playing, riding your bike (don't forget to exercise your brain by reading and doing your school work too!) • eating healthy foods (to learn more about eating healthy foods visit our nutrition section