Infectious Diseases and the Immune System

Prepared by Lloyd Kauseni

Objectives
● Discuss the four main types of pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
● Explain how each type of pathogen can cause illness.
● Discuss how the immune system works to protect the body from pathogens.
● Explain how vaccines work to help the immune system fight off pathogens
● Discuss ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as washing hands, covering your mouth when you
cough or sneeze, and staying home when you are sick.
● Explain how antibiotics work to treat bacterial infections.
●
Introduction

● Have you ever been sick before?

● What do you think caused your illness?

○ Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria,

viruses, fungi, and parasites.
○ Pathogens can enter the body through the mouth, nose, eyes, or
cuts in the skin.
 Types of Pathogens

● Bacteria are single-celled organisms that can cause infections such as

strep throat and urinary tract infections.
● Viruses are tiny particles that can cause infections such as the flu and
COVID-19.
● Fungi are organisms such as yeasts and molds that can cause
infections such as athlete’s foot and ringworm.
● Parasites are organisms that live on or inside another organism and can
cause infections such as malaria and lice.
 The Immune System

The immune system is the body system that helps fight off sickness
● The immune system is made up of cells, tissues, and organs that work
together to protect the body from pathogens.
● White blood cells are a key part of the immune system and can recognize
and destroy pathogens.
● Vaccines work by introducing a small amount of a pathogen into the body
so that the immune system can learn to recognize and fight it off in the
future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQGOcOUBi6s
 Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases
1. Washing your hands regularly with soap and water is one of the best ways to
prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
2. Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze can help prevent the spread of
respiratory infections such as the flu.
3. Staying home when you are sick can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases
to others.
Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections and are not effective against viral
infections such as colds or flu.
a. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. They don’t work for viral infections
like colds or flu.
b. When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and their side effects could
still cause harm.
Antibiotics
● Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections and are not effective
against viral infections such as colds or flu.
○ Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. They don’t work for viral
infections like colds or flu.
○ When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and their side
effects could still cause harm.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Their Prevention

● STDs are infections that are spread through sexual contact with an
infected person.
● Common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV,
and HIV/AIDS.
● Abstinence is key!!!
Conclusion

Review