Why Do We Fall Ill

Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)

1. Which one of the following is not important for individual health?
a. Living in clean space
b. Good economic condition
c. Social equality and harmony
d. Living in a large and well-furnished house.
Ans: a. Living in clean space

2. ‘Penicillin’, a lifesaving antibiotic, was discovered by

a. Alexander Fleming 
b. Edward Jenner
c. H.G. Khorana
d. William Harvey.
Ans: a. Alexander Fleming

3. Making anti-viral drugs is more difficult than making anti-bacterial medicines

because-
a. Viruses make use of host machinery.
b. Viruses are on the border line of living and non-living
c. Viruses have very few biochemical mechanisms of their own
d. Viruses have a protein coat.
Ans: c. Viruses have very few biochemical mechanisms of their own.

4. Which one of the following deficiency disease?

a. Diabetes
b. Malaria
c. Goitre
d. Tetanus
Ans: c. Goitre

5. The chemical that kill or stop the growing of certain kinds of microbes are called-
a. Vaccines
b. Microbes
c. Antibiotics
d. fungi
Ans: c. antibiotics

6. Choose the wrong statement –

a. High blood pressure is caused by excessive weight and lack of exercise.
b. Cancers can be caused by genetic abnormalities.
c. Peptic ulcers are caused by eating acidic food.
d. Acne is not caused by staphylococci.
Ans: d. Acne is not caused by staphylococci.
7. Rabies occurs through the bite of.
a. Female Anopheles Mosquito
b. Female culex mosquito
c. Rabid dog
d. housefly.
Ans: c. Rabid dog

8. AIDS is caused by –
a. Bacteria
b. Virus
c. Protozoa
d. Fungi
Ans: b. Virus

9. Identify a protozoan disease –

a. Ringworm
b. Measles
c. Diphtheria
d. Amoebiasis
Ans: d. Amoebiasis

10. If you live in a overcrowded and poorly ventilated house, it is possible that you
may suffer from which of the following diseases.
a. Cancer
b. AIDS
c. Air borne diseases
d. Cholera.
Ans: c. Air borne diseases

11. The symptom of goitre is

a. Swelling of eye
b. Swelling of the thyroid gland
c. Swelling of the liver
d. Swelling of the limbs.
Ans: b. Swelling of the thyroid gland

12. Which one of the following does not help in the prevention of AIDS?
a. Use of disposable syringes.
b. Safe sex practiced between single partners.
c. Proper screening of blood before transfusion
d. Using same syringe again and again
Ans: d. Using same syringe again and again

13. You are aware of Polio Eradication Programme in your city. Children are
vaccinated because –
a. vaccination kills polio causing micro-organisms
 b. Prevents the entry of polio causing micro-organisms
c. It creates immunity in the body.
d. all the above.
Ans: c. It creates immunity in the body.

14. ‘BCG’ vaccine is given to infants for protection against –

a. Diarrhoea
b. Cholera
c. Pneumonia
d. Tuberculosis
Ans: c. Pneumonia

15. Which one is not sexually transmitted disease?

a. AIDS
b. Gonorrhoea
c. Syphilis
d. Diabetes.
Ans: d. Diabetes.

16. Which one of the following causes kala-azar?

a. Ascaris
b. Trypanosome
c. Leishmania
d. Bacteria
Ans: c. Leishmania

Short Answer Questions (2 Marks) 

1. State any two conditions essential for good health.
Ans: The two conditions essential for good health are:
i. Clean and Hygienic surroundings
ii. A sound physical, mental and social state

2. State any two conditions essential for being free of disease.

Ans: The two conditions essential for being free of disease are:
i. Personal as well as domestic hygiene
ii. Consuming a balanced diet

3. Are the answers to the above questions necessarily the same or different? Why?
Ans: The answers to the above questions are different as a person may be disease free
but does not have a good physical, mental or social state which lead to a poor health.

4. How many times did you fall ill in the last one year? What were the illnesses?
a. Think of one change you could make in your habits in order to avoid any of/most of
the above illnesses.
Ans: I fell ill twice last year. I had suffered from viral fever and typhoid.
In order to prevent myself from getting infected again in future, I will avoid street
food especially those cooked at unhygienic places and are kept uncovered. Also, I will
drink filtered or boiled water.
b. Think of one change you would wish for in your surroundings in order to avoid any
of/most of the above illnesses.
Ans: In order to prevent myself from getting infected again in future, I shall keep my
surroundings cleaner than earlier and also maintain my personal hygiene.

5. A doctor/nurse/health-worker is exposed to more sick people than others in the

community. Find out how she/he avoids getting sick herself/himself.
Ans: A doctor/nurse/health-worker is exposed to more sick people than others in the
community, still they prevent themselves from getting sick as they take proper care of
their personal hygiene as well as domestic hygiene. Also, they maintain clean and
immune surroundings to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

6. A baby is not able to tell her/his caretakers that she/he is sick. What would help us
to find out
a. that the baby is sick?
Ans: If the baby is crying continuously and remains restless for a long time despite
providing comfort then he/she might be sick.
b. What is the sickness?
Ans: We should observe the symptoms and its severity to diagnose the sickness.

7. Under which of the following conditions is a person most likely to fall sick?
(a) when she is recovering from malaria.
(b) when she has recovered from malaria and is taking care of someone suffering from
chicken-pox.
(c) when she is on a four-day fast after recovering from malaria and is taking care of
someone suffering from chicken-pox. Why?
Ans: A person is most likely to fall sick when she is on a four-day fast after
recovering from malaria and is taking care of someone suffering from chicken-pox
because during her fast she must have consumed a limited diet and hence less nutrition
is given to her body. Also, she is at a high risk of getting infected from chicken-pox
while taking care of someone suffering from it. Therefore, we can state that her health
is poor and she is very likely to fall sick again.

8. Under which of the following conditions are you most likely to fall sick?
(a) when you are taking examinations.
(b) when you have travelled by bus and train for two days.
(c) when your friend is suffering from measles. Why?
Ans: We are most likely to fall sick when our friend is suffering from measles since
measles is an infectious/communicable disease which can be easily spread from
person to person.

9. How are acute diseases different from chronic diseases?

Ans: Acute disease are diseases which are sudden but severe and last for short periods
of time. For example: Malaria, Jaundice, etc.
Chronic disease are diseases which develop gradually over a period of time and are
long lasting causing damage to the organs of the body. For example: Cancer, Diabetes,
etc.

10. What is the full form of AIDS? Name the causal organism.
Ans: The full form of AIDS is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is
caused by HIV – Human Immunodeficiency virus.

11. Define the following terms:

(a) health
Ans: Health is defined as a sound state of physical, mental and social well-being and it
does not relate to the absence of disease.
(b) disease.
Ans: Disease refers to the malfunctioning of the organs or parts of the body due to
internal dysfunctions or external factors.

12. What are non-communicable diseases? Give examples.

Ans: Non-communicable diseases are non-infectious diseases which cannot be spread
from one person to another and are long-lasting.
For example – Diabetes, cancer.

13. Define carriers. Give two examples.

Ans: Carriers are the organisms that carry disease causing agents and has the ability to
spread the disease amongst healthy individuals without showing any sign of disease
For example – Housefly, female insect Anopheles.

14. Why do children need vaccination?

Ans: Vaccination is important for children because it protects them from getting
infected by deadly diseases like tetanus, polio and also prevents the spread of these
diseases from child to child.

15. How can we prevent influenza?

Ans: Influenza is an air-borne disease, therefore it can be prevented by maintaining a
distance from the others and washing your hands regularly.

16. State giving reasons whether the following statements are correct or not.
a. Health is only the absence of any physical disease.
Ans: This statement is incorrect because health is a state of sound physical,
mental and social well-being. Hence, being disease free does not ensure that the
person has a good health.
b. Children need not be immunized.
 Ans: This statement is incorrect because there is a need to immunize children as
their immune system is not fully developed and so they are more susceptible to
diseases.

17. What is peptic ulcer?

Ans: Peptic ulcer is a disease in which ulcers or sores are formed on the lining of your
stomach or duodenum and the person suffers from pain due to acidity.

18. What are the different types of diseases? Explain them.

Ans: Diseases are broadly classified into two types –
a. Communicable or infectious disease – Those diseases which are spread from
one person to another in contact and it generally lasts for a short term. It can be
spread through air, water, food, physical contact and insects. 
For example: Chicken pox, malaria, cholera, etc.
b. Non-communicable or non- infectious diseases – Those diseases which cannot be
spread from person to person and are long-lasting. For example - arthritis,
marasmus etc.

19. Which bacterium causes peptic ulcers? Who discovered the above pathogen?
Ans: Helicobacter pylori bacterium causes peptic ulcers and it was discovered by
Robin Warren and Barry Marshall.

20. Name the target organs for the following disease-

1. Hepatitis targets - liver
2. Fits or unconsciousness targets - brain
3. Pneumonia targets - lungs
4. Fungal disease targets _ skin

21. How are diseases diagnosed by physician?

Ans: When a person is infected from a disease, it may cause malfunctioning of organs
or body parts which produces external symptoms of diseases. On the basis of the
symptoms and physical examination of the person, the disease is diagnosed by the
physician.

22. Who discovered ‘vaccine’ for the first time? Name two diseases which can be
prevented by using vaccine.
Ans: Vaccine was discovered by a surgeon, Edward Jenner. Two diseases which can
be prevented by using vaccines are polio and tetanus.

23. Name the approaches generally adopted to treat infectious diseases.

Ans: Infectious diseases can be treated by two ways:
1. By reducing its effect using medications that may reduce its symptoms.
2. By killing its cause using antibiotics.
Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)
1. Why are we normally advised to take bland and nourishing food when we are sick?
Ans: When we are sick, our body becomes fragile and our digestion process also
becomes poor. Hence, we are advised to take bland and nourishing food when we are
sick because we need complete nourishment for faster recovery.

2. What are the different means by which infectious diseases are spread?
Ans: Infectious diseases can spread by the following means:
a. Through contaminated food and water
b. Through atmosphere
c. Through vectors or carriers (housefly, mosquito etc)
d. Through direct skin contact or sexual contact
e. Through cuts or wounds

3. What precautions can you take in your school to reduce the incidence of infectious
diseases?
Ans: To reduce the incidence of infectious diseases, I would take the following
precautions in my school:
i. Maintain distance from an infected person
ii. Keep my surroundings clean
iii. Wash my hands regularly.
iv. I would not consume open/uncovered food materials

4. What is immunisation?
Ans: Immunisation is a method in which an immunized person develops resistance
towards a specific disease. 
In this method weak or dead microbes of a specific disease are injected into the body
such that they develop memory lymphocytes (WBCs) but do not cause disease. For
example: vaccination against polio, tetanus etc.

5. What are the immunisation programmes available at the nearest health centre in
your locality? Which of these diseases are the major health problems in your area?
Ans: The immunisation programmes available at the nearest health centre in our
locality are as follows:
a. For infants: DPT, polio, measles
b. For children: TT, TAB, smallpox
c. Hepatitis-B for pregnant women
The diseases like typhoid, measles, smallpox, polio are the major health problems in
our area.

6. List any three reasons why you would think that you are sick and ought to see a
doctor. If only one of these symptoms were present, would you still go to the doctor?
Why or why not?
Ans: If we have continuous headache, stomach ache, loose motions, fever, cough and
cold, then we would consult a doctor. If only one of these symptoms were present
continuously for a period of time then also we will go to see the doctor as it may be
the initial signs of a severe disease.

7. In which of the following case do you think the long-term effects on your health are
likely to be most unpleasant?
a. if you get jaundice
b. if you get lice
c. if you get acne.
Why?
Ans: If I suffer from jaundice, I believe that its long-term effects on our health are
likely to be most unpleasant because the symptoms severely affect our body parts and
the internal organs and persist for a long time.

8. Conduct a survey in your neighbourhood to find out what the three most common
diseases are. Suggest three steps that could be taken by your local authorities to bring
down the incidence of these diseases.
Ans: Three most common diseases in my locality are diarrhoea, malaria and
tuberculosis. 
To bring down the incidence of these diseases I would suggest the following steps:
i. Supply of safe drinking water and closed drains.
ii. Hygienic and clean environment.
iii. Eradication of mosquitoes
iv. Immunisation or vaccination camps

9. Why are antibiotics not effective for viral disease.

Ans: Viruses are different from bacteria. They do not have cell walls which can be
attacked by antibodies. Thus, antibodies are ineffective against viral disease.
Antibiotics tend to break the bacterial cell wall and block the bacterial pathways.
Thus, they are effective on bacterial infections.

10. What is inflammation? What are the changes occur during inflammation?
Ans: Inflammation is a process carried by the immune system in which it recruits
many cells to the affected tissue during an injury or burn to kill the disease-causing
germs and protect the tissue from external pathogens.
During this process, swelling, pain and redness may develop.
11. Why do some children fall ill more frequently than others living in the same
locality?
Ans: It is the immune system which protects our body from various diseases and
infections. Children tend to fall ill more frequently because they have a poor or not a
well-developed immune system.
A balanced diet, proper sleep and exercise would help children develop a strong
immune system.

12. How can the disease be prevented?

Ans: Diseases can be prevented by taking the following measures–
a. By avoiding crowded places
b. By maintaining public hygiene
c. By washing our hands regularly
d. By consuming a balanced diet and maintaining personal hygiene.
e. By immunization.

13. Give two examples for each of the following:

a. Chronic Diseases
Ans: Chronic diseases – Diabetes, arthritis
b. Infectious Diseases
Ans: Infectious diseases – Chicken pox, Influenza
c. Non-infectious Diseases.
Ans: Non-infectious diseases – asthma, obesity

14. Give difference between vaccines and antibiotics.

Ans: Difference between vaccines and antibiotics is stated as follows:

Vaccines Antibiotics

Vaccines are the suspension of weak or dead

Antibiotics are medicines made by
1. microbial agents of the same disease in a
living microbes and it may be used
person so that he is immune against that
for one or more diseases.
disease.

2. They are given before the person gets They are given after the person
infected in order to prevent him. gets infected from a disease.

3. They provide immunity or protection for a Antibiotics provide protection for

longer period. a short period of time.

15. The body of a patient has lost its power of fighting against infections. Which
disease may the patient be suffering from? Name the pathogen and describe any two
modes of its transmission from the patient to other person.
Ans: The patient is suffering from AIDS, i.e., Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome. 
AIDS is caused by HIV – Human Immunodeficiency virus.
Two modes of transmission are
i. By sexual contact with an infected person.
ii. By the use of an infected syringe or needle.
iii.

16. What are the conditions favouring for air-bone diseases?

Ans: Conditions favouring for air-borne infections -
a. Close contact with the infected person.
b. Over – crowding
c. Poor – Ventilation

17. What are the various dimensions of health?

Ans: Various dimensions of health are as follows–
a. Physical Dimensions- It implies perfect functioning of all the organs and parts
of the body.
b. Mental Dimensions – It implies a state of mental balance, harmony and peace
between the individual and his environment.
c. Social Dimensions – A person is socially sound if he shares a good bond with
his surroundings and the people around him, i.e., if he has a good job, a good
house, a happy family, helpful friends.

18. What are the causes of diseases?

Ans: Causes of diseases are –
a. Microorganisms – Bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa and worms cause most of the
communicable diseases.
b. Malfunctioning of parts of the body or body organs.
c. Nutritional deficiency.
d. Genetic factors.
e. Polluted environment.

19. Give the schedule of immunization for infants and children up to six
years.
Ans: The schedule of immunization for infants and children up to six years is
given below:

Vaccin
Age No. of doses
e
 3-9 months DPT 3 doses at intervals of 1-2 months

Polio 3 doses at intervals of 1-2 months

BCG 1
Infant 9-12 months Measles 1

18-24 months DPT 1 (booster)

Polio 1 (booster)

Childre
5-6 years Typhoid 2
n

20. Explain giving reasons –

a. Balanced diet is necessary for maintaining health body.
Ans: Balanced diet contains all the nutrients required for maintaining
proper health as well as they are needed for growth and repair of the
damaged cells.

b. Health of an organism depends upon the surrounding environmental conditions.

Ans: Surrounding environmental conditions plays an important role in the
maintenance of health. For example we feel uneasy if –
i. Our surroundings are dirty and the garbage is not collected or disposed off.
ii. Drains are not cleaned and water gets collected in the streets or open spaces. 

21. What is immunization, immune system, immunity?

Ans: Immunisation is a method in which an immunized person develops resistance
towards a specific disease. 
Immune system is a system which protects the body against pathogens which may
lead to infections.
Immunity refers to our body’s power to resist and overcome infection.

22. Name the agents and the diseases caused by them?

Ans: A list of agents and the disease caused by them is given below:

Agents Disease Caused

Bacteria Tuberculosis, whooping cough

1.

Viruses AIDS, chicken pox, Common cold

2.

Fungi Skin infection, ringworm, athlete’s foot

3.
 Protozoa Sleeping-sickness, Malaria, amoebic dysentery
4.

Worms Giardiasis, Amebiasis

5.

23. What are the different aspects of maintaining good health?

Ans: Different aspects for maintaining good health-
a. Community health – Keeping our surrounding clean and hygienic contributes
to our personal health.
b. Maintaining personal hygiene by washing our hands continuously and avoiding
close contact and overcrowded places. 
c. Regular exercise and a proper sleep are very necessary to keep the mind and
body fit. Also, relaxation is very essential for good health.
d. Optimum nutrition through a balanced diet is essential for maintenance of good
health. One should avoid the consumption of junk food to maintain good
health.