HEALTH MODULE FOR
GRADE 8 LEARNERS
This module is intended for Grade 8
learners. It contains two lessons:
Lesson 1: Disease and Infection
• Disease and Infection
• Nutrition and Healthy Habits for
the Prevention of Communicable
Diseases
ICON GUIDE
Lesson 2: Nutrition and Healthy Habits for the
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to be answered
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describe more learning activities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Content overview and objectives 2
Let’s read and learn 2
Show me 4
Let’s try this 5
What have we learned so far 8
Now try this 9
Let’s read and learn 10
Now try this 11
Show me 12
Prevention of Communicable
Diseases
Content overview and objectives 13
Let’s get started 13
Let’s read and learn 14
Now try this 19
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LESSON 1
DISEASE AND INFECTION
CONTENT OVERVIEW OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, you will learn about disease and By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
infection. 1. Discuss the nature of infection and disease.
1. Infection is the abnormal invasion and 2. Explain the three levels of prevention to promote
multiplication of diseases-causing health and prevent disease.
microorganisms, including bacteria, virus, fungi,
and parasites. 3. Demonstrate correct practices in the prevention
of communicable diseases.
2. Many infectious diseases are communicable, and
they spread from one person to another through
air, water, soil, blood, and other body fluids.
3. Diseases are recognized through signs and
symptoms. Signs are physical changes seen by
In this lesson, we will learn to:
an individual and the examiner. Symptoms are
changes in the body felt or experienced by the Choose Nutritious Choose to
Drink Water
individual. and Varied Options and Milk

4. The five stages of disease include: incubation

period, prodromal period, period of illness,
period of decline, and period of convalescence.
5. Ways to prevent the spread of infectious
diseases include: preparing food properly,
washing hands properly, getting vaccinated,
coughing or sneezing through a tissue or sleeve,
cleaning used surface frequently, and not sharing
personal items.

LET’S READ & LEARN

Infection refers to the abnormal invasion and
successful multiplication of disease-causing
microorganisms (called pathogens) in the body. This
causes disruption and damage to body tissues or
organs.
There are four major types of pathogens or
pathogenic microorganisms:
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Fungi
• Parasites

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

Bacteria are small, one-celled, living microorganisms

found in soil, food, animals, and insects. Bacteria can
grow and multiply using the nutrients found in its
environment.
Some examples of bacterial infection are
tuberculosis, leptospirosis, and urinary tract
infection (UTI).

Viruses are very tiny microorganisms that are only

able to multiply inside a living cell. Some examples
of viral infections are common colds, flu, measles
(tigdas), dengue fever, hepatitis and coronavirus.

Fungi are multi-celled microorganisms that cannot

survive in soil, water, or air. They need a living
organism -- like plants or animals -- to get enough
nutrition. Yeast, molds, and mildew are part of this
group. An example of fungal infection is athlete’s
foot, recognized by the smelly and itchy rash in
between the toes.

Parasites are organisms that need a living body to

reproduce, snatching nutrients for its own growth.
Some example of parasitic infections are ascaris,
hookworms, and roundworms, commonly seen in the
intestines.

Since microorganisms are not easily seen by the

naked eye, they can easily spread without our
knowledge.

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

“Communicable” is the word used to describe

diseases that are easily transferred from one person to
another. Microorganisms can be transferred through:
• Air
• Water
• Soil
• Blood
• Other body fluids

One example of a communicable disease is tuberculosis. It is a disease of the respiratory system –

pertaining to the lungs – wherein the person becomes very thin and experiences night sweats and
frequent coughing. When that person coughs, the droplets containing the virus can be inhaled by
someone else.
Another example is COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus that emerged in 2019 and led to a
world-wide pandemic. Scientists are learning more and more about this virus, and as of now, they
know that it spreads through droplets and particles released into the air when an infected person
exhales, talks, laughs, coughs or sneezes.

Diseases are recognized through signs and

symptoms.

Signs are physical changes seen by an individual and

the examiner (like a doctor). They can be directly
observed and measured. For example:
• A doctor can spot paleness of lips
• A thermometer can measure the degree of fever
• High blood pressure can be measured using a
sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor
Symptoms are changes in the body felt by an individual. They are more difficult to measure or
observe. Examples are:
• Nausea
• Pain
• Loss of appetite

SHOW ME
Think about times you’ve been sick in the past. What signs and symptoms have you
experienced? List down as many as you can recall, in the correct column.

SIGNS SYMPTOMS

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

LET’S TRY THIS

These important practices can prevent the spread of

microorganisms:
• Proper food preparation
• Proper handwashing
• Getting vaccinated

Based on what you have learned in health in previous

years, can you explain how each of these actions can
help prevent the spread of a disease?

These are also important practices to prevent the

spread of microorganisms:
• Coughing into a tissue or sleeve
• Cleaning frequently used surfaces
• Not sharing personal items like hair brushes and
toothbrushes

Likewise, can you explain how each of these actions

can help prevent the spread of a disease?

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

LET’S READ AND LEARN

Diseases do not just “suddenly” happen. They develop

in stages.
Although not all stages are apparent and easily
recognizable, knowing the stages makes it easier
to understand the behavior of the disease. It allows
medical professionals to provide the proper treatment
and medication.

The first stage is incubation. This period refers to the

initial invasion of the pathogen into the body.
“Pathogen” is the microorganism that carries the
disease. During the incubation period, the pathogen
starts to multiply. However, the person is still unaware
of the disease.

The next stage is prodromal. During this period,

the pathogen continues to multiply. The person
begins to experience signs and symptoms of the
disease.

The third stage is the illness stage, when signs and

symptoms are already obvious and severe.

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

In the decline stage, the number of pathogens starts

to decrease, and the signs and symptoms begin to
wane.
However, because the immune system was greatly
weakened by the pathogen, the person becomes
susceptible to other kinds of infection.

In the convalescence stage, the body begins

to recover and eventually returns to its normal
functions.

The red line on this graph represents the number of

pathogens in the body. The blue line represents the
severity of signs and symptoms of a disease.
As you can see, both increase over time from
incubation to the illness stage, and begin to decrease
in the decline stage.
As the number of pathogens inside the body
increase (red line), so does the severity of signs and
symptoms of a disease (blue line).

Developing these Healthy Habits can help to maintain the normal function of your immune
system and protect you from disease.
Choose Nutritious and Varied Options. Healthy teenagers need to eat a nutritious and
varied diet because it contains all the essential nutrients needed to give energy, support
growth, maintain health, and recover from illness.
Choose to Drink Water and Milk. Water helps replace the lost fluids in our body.
Drinking water helps regulate the different processes of our body, especially when we
are sick. Fortified milk has calcium and vitamin D for normal bones and teeth. It also has
nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin C that may contribute to the normal function of the
immune system.

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED SO FAR?

Define each of the terms below. Try to use your own words to come up with an accurate definition,
but if you cannot recall what some of these terms mean, you may refer to the previous pages.

Pathogen

Bacteria

Viruses

Fungi

Parasites

Communicable disease

Signs

Symptoms

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

NOW TRY THIS

Describe ways you can help your body prevent or fight an illness at
each stage of its progression.

STAGE OF DISEASE PROGRESSION HOW TO HELP YOUR BODY’S RESISTANCE

1. INCUBATION PERIOD
During this stage, the pathogen
starts to multiply but the
person is still unaware of the
disease.

2. PRODROMAL PERIOD
During this stage, the pathogen
continues to multiply and the
person begins to experience
the signs and symptoms of the
disease.

3. PERIOD OF ILLNESS
During this stage, the signs
and symptoms are obvious
and severe.

4. PERIOD OF DECLINE
During this stage, the
pathogens start to decrease
and signs and symptoms
begin to wane.

5. PERIOD OF CONVALESCENCE
During this stage, the body
begins to recover and
eventually returns to its
normal functions.

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

LET’S READ AND LEARN

Many infectious diseases are contagious during the
five stages of disease. Contagious means a sick
person can spread infection to other people from the
time of incubation until convalescence.
Diseases can cause morbidity and mortality.
Morbidity refers to the state of being sick or ill, while
mortality is related to death or the risk of death.

In 2014, five out of 10 leading causes of morbidity

were infectious in origin, namely: acute respiratory
infection, acute lower respiratory tract infection,
influenza, tuberculosis (respiratory), and tuberculosis
(other forms).

In 2020, three of the ten leading causes of death were

infectious in nature. Can you identify them in this
list? Place a check mark in front of the ones that are
infectious in nature.

This information implies that infectious diseases

continue to be a health concern in the Philippines.

They say that “Prevention is better than cure.”

Prevention is about avoiding disease before it
happens, or avoiding further complications of an
existing disease.

• COVID-19 (probable cases) refers to suspected or probable cases of COVID-19 which were not confirmed by a
laboratory test.
Sources
• Department of Health. (2014). Morbidity. Retrieved from: https://www.doh.gov.ph/morbidity
• Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021). Causes of deaths in the Philippines (preliminary): January to December 2020.
Retrieved from: https://psa.gov.ph/content/causes-deaths-philippines-preliminary-january-december-2020

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

When we talk about prevention of disease, there are

three levels.
• Primary prevention
• Secondary prevention
• Tertiary prevention

Primary prevention includes measures that prevent the onset of disease. The goal is to lower your
chances of getting the disease in the first place. Examples of primary prevention are:
• Getting immunization shots
• Getting regular exercise
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Having annual check-ups with the doctor
Which of these primary prevention methods are you practicing?

Secondary prevention includes measures that lead to early diagnosis and prompt treatment of a
disease. The goal is early detection or screening, so a disease can be treated before it even shows
very clear (and severe) signs and symptoms. Examples are:
• Laboratory screening for fasting blood sugar
• Breast self-examination
• Pap smear tests
What other secondary prevention methods are you familiar with?

Tertiary prevention aims to re-educate and rehabilitate a person after experiencing a disease. The
goal is to prevent complications in the future. For example:
• Diet therapy for a diabetic patient
• Physical therapy for rehabilitation of a stroke patient
Do you know of someone who has gone through tertiary prevention?

NOW TRY THIS

These two Healthy Habits are examples of

Primary Prevention. By developing these habits,
you lower your chances of getting disease in the
first place. Can you explain these habits in your
own words? Record a video of yourself explaining
these habits and why they are important. You
may share the video with your friends, teacher or
on your social media account.

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Grade 8 Lesson 1 - Disease and Infection

SHOW ME
Choose one disease from these options: Hypertension, Dengue Fever, Diabetes Mellitus, Tuberculosis,
or COVID-19. Research and describe methods of preventing the disease based on the three levels of
disease prevention.

DISEASE:

PRIMARY PREVENTION
This includes
measures
that prevent
the onset of
disease.

SECONDARY PREVENTION
This includes
measures that
lead to early
diagnosis
and prompt
treatment of the
disease.

TERTIARY PREVENTION
This aims to
re-educate and
rehabilitate a
person after
experiencing a
disease.

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LESSON 2
NUTRITION & HEALTHY HABITS
FOR THE PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

CONTENT OVERVIEW OBJECTIVES

In this lesson, you will learn about nutrition By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
and Healthy Habits, and their role in 1. Understand the role of nutrition in the
preventing communicable diseases. prevention of communicable diseases.
1. Healthy Habits prevent sickness. While it is 2. Practice Healthy Habits that help prevent
impossible to shield one’s self completely communicable diseases.
from catching a cold or flu, following Healthy
Habits lower the chances of getting sick.
2. The following are Healthy Habits that
adolescents should develop:
• Choose Nutritious and Varied Options
• Manage Portions
• Choose to Drink Water and Milk
• Play Actively
• Enjoy Meals Together

In this lesson, we will learn to:

Choose to
Choose Nutritious Manage Play Enjoy Meals
Drink Water
and Varied Options Portions Actively Together
and Milk

LET’S GET STARTED

What do you already know about these Healthy Habits?

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Grade 8 Lesson 2 - Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Prevention of Communicable Diseases

Eating a nutritious, balanced diet is essential in

preventing communicable diseases. A balanced
diet consists of a variety of food and provides
the recommended amounts of essential nutrients.
This, in turn, strengthens the body’s resistance
against infections.
A balanced diet consists of Go, Grow and Glow
foods eaten in the right proportions.

GO foods are the body’s main source of energy.

Examples include whole grain sources like brown
rice, corn, camote, and cereals made with whole
grains. The macronutrient found in Go foods is
carbohydrates.

GROW foods include fish, egg, chicken, nuts and

legumes, and fortified milk. These contain protein
which builds and repairs tissues, and helps to
protect the body against infections.
If bacteria or another foreign substance enter
the body, the immune system fights back by
producing antibodies. Antibodies bind with the
foreign substance so that it can be destroyed.
Lack of protein can make it hard for the body to
produce these antibodies.

GLOW foods refer to nutrient-rich fruits and

vegetables. According to surveys, teenagers have
a very low intake of Glow foods, which makes
them more susceptible to infectious diseases.
Vitamins and minerals help maintain the normal
function of our immune system. The following
pages describe specific vitamins and minerals
needed by the body.

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Grade 8 Lesson 2 - Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Prevention of Communicable Diseases

Vitamin A keeps the skin and tissues in the mouth,

stomach, and intestines intact and healthy. It
is found in yellow and orange vegetables (e.g.
squash, carrots) and fruits (e.g. papaya, melon,
mango), organ meats (e.g. liver), eggs, fatty fish,
and cheese.

Vitamin C helps stimulate the formation of

antibodies and supports normal function of
the immune system. It is found in yellow and
orange fruits (e.g. papayas, pineapples, mangoes,
oranges), dark green leafy vegetables (e.g.
malunggay, broccoli), fortified milk and chocomalt
milk drink.

Vitamin E works as an antioxidant and may

support immune function. It is found in green leafy
vegetables, nuts, beans, tomatoes, and vegetable
oils.

Vitamin B6 is needed for protein metabolism and

supports the immune function. It is found in fish,
eggs, chicken, organ meats (e.g. liver), nuts, beans
and chocomalt milk drink.

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Grade 8 Lesson 2 - Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Prevention of Communicable Diseases

Zinc helps the immune system and wound healing.

It is found in protein-rich foods like fish, egg,
chicken, red meat, shellfish, and fortified milk.

Iron contributes to normal oxygen transport

in the body. It is also needed for the normal
development of the immune system. It is found in
meat, poultry, fish, green leafy vegetables, beans,
and chocomalt milk drink.

Aside from eating the right kind of food, we must

also eat the right amounts for optimal health.
Do you recall the Pinggang Pinoy® guide?
What do you recall from previous lessons
about the proper portions that we should
follow in our meals?

Adapted from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute.

Department of Science and Technology. (2016). Pinggang
Pinoy® A Healthy Plate for a Well Nourished Nation:
Guide for Nutrition Professionals. Taguig City, Philippines.
FNRI-DOST.

Following the correct portion sizes for every meal ensures adequate nutrition, and having
adequate nutrition helps to strengthen our immunity to fight infection.
Pinggang Pinoy® reminds us that half of the plate should contain fruits and vegetables (Glow
food), with more vegetables than fruits. The other half of the plate should contain rice/grains
(Go food) and protein sources (Grow food), with more grains than protein. Each meal should be
eaten with a glass of water or a nutritious beverage, like fortified milk.

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Grade 8 Lesson 2 - Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Prevention of Communicable Diseases

The body is made up of 75% water. Water prevents

dehydration and is required to properly digest,
absorb, and carry nutrients all over the body. Water
is also part of the lymph, a fluid part of the immune
system.
When we engage in physical activity, we sweat, and
we lose water. When we go to the bathroom, we lose
water. Therefore, water needs to be replenished. It is
recommended that adolescents drink 9 to 12 glasses
of water or more every day.
 

Lack of water intake results in dehydration, with the

following signs and symptoms:
• Thirst
• Fatigue
• Discomfort
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite

Nutritious beverages, like fortified milk, help prevent

dehydration and offer other benefits. Fortified milk
has calcium and vitamin D for normal bones and
teeth. It also has nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin
C that may contribute to the normal function of the
immune system. 

Regular exercise and physical activity – along with

a nutritious diet – is important for strength and
resistance to disease.
It is another important Healthy Habit to develop.

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Grade 8 Lesson 2 - Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Prevention of Communicable Diseases

Regular physical activity builds and strengthens

the body, making it more capable of fighting
infections.
Moderate to average intensity physical activities
can enhance the immune system and reduce
susceptibility to infections. That’s because
exercise temporarily increases the amount of
white blood cells (the body’s immune cells that
fight infection).

Physical activity does not just refer to exercising

and playing sports. It also includes activities like
doing household chores or walking to school.
What are other examples of physical
activities that can help you stay active
every day?

Remember to drink water and nutritious beverages

whenever you engage in physical activity to keep the
body hydrated.
A beverage like chocomalt milk drink contains milk as
the number 1 ingredient. It is high in vitamins B2, B3,
B6, B12, C and iron, to help release energy from fats,
protein and carbohydrates in the food we eat.
 

There is one more Healthy Habit: enjoying meals

with your family.
Studies report that teens who eat with their family
5 times a week are less likely to drink alcohol and
less likely to do drugs.
As you can see, your body’s health is connected to
your emotional and mental health. If you are under
constant stress or going through depression,
your physical health can also be affected. This
threatens your immune system and your body’s
ability to resist diseases.
Spending meaningful time with your family can
help combat stress and depression, and support
your physical health.

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Grade 8 Lesson 2 - Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Prevention of Communicable Diseases

This lesson reminds us of five very important Healthy Habits to protect ourselves from sickness,
and make our bodies strong and resistant to infectious diseases.

Choose Nutritious and Varied Options. One way to build resistance against infectious
diseases is through good nutrition. We should make sure that our diet consists of
nutritious and varied options from each food group.
Manage Portions. Aside from choosing nutritious and varied options, we should
manage our portions to make sure we are getting just the right amount of each nutrient
that our body needs.
Choose to Drink Water and Milk. Water and nutritious beverages contribute to the
normal function of the immune system. We should always keep our bodies well
hydrated. We should also drink nutritious beverages like fortified milk. Fortified milk has
calcium and vitamin D for normal bones and teeth. It also has nutrients like iron, zinc
and vitamin C that may contribute to the normal function of the immune system.
Play Actively. To keep your body fit and healthy, you must have regular physical activity.
Physical activity strengthens the body, making it more capable of fighting infections.
Enjoy Meals Together. Spending meaningful time with your family can help combat
stress and depression, and support your physical health.

NOW TRY THIS

Think of ways to develop each of the Healthy Habits by identifying behaviors that you will
STOP and START doing.
For example, if you want to develop the habit of choosing nutritious and varied options, you
might try the following:
STOP eating only chicken
START eating other protein sources like beef, eggs, seafood, and legumes

If you want to develop the habit of physical activity, you might try to:
STOP spending too many hours in front of the computer
START adding more exercise to my daily schedule, such as 30 minutes of stretching in the
morning and 30 minutes of jogging in the afternoon

Write your answers on the following page.

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Grade 8 Lesson 2 - Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Prevention of Communicable Diseases

I WILL STOP... I WILL START...

Share these goals with two or three of your friends.

Discuss how you can help each other achieve your goals.

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