COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites that are not
normally present within the body. An infection may cause no symptoms and be subclinical or it may
cause symptoms and be clinically apparent.

Systemic infection

This means a disease that affects the entire body, rather than just a single organ or body part. Eg,
high blood pressure, flu

Local infection

An infection that affects on one part of the body

Infestation

The presence of unusually large number of insects or animals in place typically so as to cause damage
or disease.

Immunity

The state or quality of being resistant to particular infectious disease or pathogen

Immune response

How your body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses and substances that appear
foreign and harmful.

SDG 3.2.1

Effective diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia is critical to improve child survival.

Microbes

A microbe is a microorganism especially bacterium causing disease or fermentation

pathogenic bacteria

bacteria which are capable of causing disease when it enters into the body which can spread through
water, air, soil and also through physical contact.

Non pathogenic bacteria

The microorganism or bacteria that do not cause disease or harm or death to another organism

Eradication

Eradication is the reduction of the prevalence of an infectious disease in the global host population
to zero eg. Small pox

Elimination

Stopping the transmission of a disease in a specific geographical area or country but not worldwide

Incubation period
This is the time it takes for an infection to develop after a person has been exposed to a disease -
causing organism. Eg bacteria, viruses etc…. the incubation period ends when the first signs or
symptoms of the disease appear.

Communicable period

The time during which an infectious agent may be transferred directly or indirectly from an infected
person to another person from an infected animal to humans or from an infected person to animals,
including arthropods