Chapter 3

Health: The Ultimate Treasure

What is Health?

WHO Definition: Health is a "state of complete physical, mental,

and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease."

Three Aspects of Health

💪
Physical Health: Proper functioning of body organs and
systems, maintaining fitness and energy
🧠
Mental Health: Emotional well-being, positive mindset, ability to
handle stress and challenges
👥
Social Health: Strong relationships, good social interactions,
fitting well in society

Ayurvedic Perspective on Health

Ayurveda teaches that true health is a balance of body, mind,

and surroundings. Key principles include:
 Following dinacharya (daily routine) and ritucharya (seasonal
routine)
 Eating fresh, wholesome food suited to one's prakriti (body
constitution)
 Regular exercise, cleanliness, restful sleep, and maintaining a
calm mind
 Practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness for overall well-
being

How to Stay Healthy?

Staying healthy requires a combination of good habits, proper

lifestyle choices, and maintaining a clean environment. Health
depends on both our personal choices and our surroundings.

Essential Good Health Habits

🧼
Personal Hygiene: Keep yourself clean, brush teeth regularly,
bathe daily
🥗
Balanced Diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
and avoid processed foods
🏃
Regular Exercise: Stay physically active through walking,
cycling, sports, or outdoor activities
😴
Adequate Sleep: Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep to help body and
mind recover
🧘
Stress Management: Practice yoga, meditation, or simple
breathing exercises like pranayama
🌳
Nature Connection: Limit screen time, spend more time
outdoors in nature
Habits to Avoid for Good Health
📱
Excessive Screen Time: Too much time on phones, computers,
or TV
🍔
Junk Food: Regular consumption of fast food, processed snacks,
sugary drinks
🌙
Poor Sleep Habits: Sleeping very late or not getting enough
sleep
🚭
Harmful Substances: Tobacco, alcohol, and addictive drugs

Importance of Clean Environment

Our surroundings play a crucial role in our health. A clean

environment helps prevent diseases and promotes well-being:
 Environmental Health Factors

Clean Air: Air Quality Index (AQI) helps monitor pollution levels.
Poor air quality causes coughing, asthma, and breathing problems
💧
Safe Water: Clean drinking water prevents waterborne diseases
and infections

Proper Sanitation: Clean surroundings reduce breeding of

disease-causing organisms
🏡
Hygiene at Home: Clean living spaces prevent infections and
improve mental health
Understanding Diseases

Disease: A condition that affects the normal functioning of the

body or mind, occurring when one or more organs or organ
systems stop working properly.
How do we know that we are unwell? - Symptoms and
Signs

Symptoms
What we feel internally - subjective experiences that only the
person can describe
Examples: Pain, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, headache

Signs
What can be seen or measured - objective indicators that others
can observe
Examples: Fever, rash, swelling, high blood pressure, fast
heartbeat
Diseases can be caused by various factors including harmful
microorganisms, poor lifestyle choices, environmental factors, or
nutritional deficiencies. Understanding different types of diseases
helps us prevent and manage them effectively.
11.4%
of India's population is diabetic
28.6%
of Indians are obese
100M+
people in India have diabetes

Two Major Categories of Diseases

Communicable Diseases

Infectious Diseases
Cause: Harmful microorganisms called pathogens (bacteria,
viruses, fungi, worms, protozoa)
 Transmission: Spread from one person to another through
various means
Examples: COVID-19, influenza, tuberculosis, typhoid, dengue,
malaria, chickenpox
Prevention: Hygiene, vaccination, isolation, vector control
Non-communicable Diseases

Lifestyle-Related Diseases
Cause: Not caused by pathogens; linked to lifestyle, diet,
genetics, and environment
Transmission: Do not spread from person to person
Examples: Diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma, obesity,
hypertension
Prevention: Healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, balanced diet
Important Trend in India
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become the leading
cause of death in India. This shift is due to:
 Changes in lifestyle - more sedentary behavior
 Dietary changes - increased processed food consumption
 Urbanization and stress
 Longer life expectancy leading to age-related diseases

Communicable Diseases in Detail

Communicable diseases are illnesses caused by harmful

microorganisms(pathogens) that can pass from one person to
another. By understanding the ways they spread, we can take
effective steps to protect ourselves and prevent their
transmission.

How Communicable Diseases Spread

Airborne Transmission
Method: Through droplets when infected person coughs,
sneezes, or talks
Examples: Common cold, influenza, tuberculosis (TB),
chickenpox, measles
Prevention: Cover mouth when coughing, wear masks, maintain
distance

💧 Water/Food-borne
Method: Through contaminated water, food, or poor sanitation
Examples: Cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, ascariasis (worms)
Prevention: Drink boiled water, eat properly cooked food,
maintain hygiene

🦟 Vector-borne
Method: Through insects like mosquitoes, flies that carry
pathogens
Examples: Malaria (mosquitoes), dengue fever (Aedes
mosquitoes)
Prevention: Use mosquito nets, repellents, eliminate breeding
sites

🤝 Direct/Indirect Contact
Method: Through touching infected person or sharing
contaminated items
Examples: Skin infections, some viral diseases
Prevention: Wash hands frequently, don't share personal items
 Common Communicable Diseases

Airborne Diseases

Disease Pathogen Symptoms Prevention

Common Cold & Nasal congestion, sore throat, fever, Hand washing, covering
Virus
Flu cough, body ache sharing items

Chickenpox Virus Mild fever, itchy skin, rashes, blisters Isolation, covering mouth

Measles Virus Fever, sore throat, reddish rashes Vaccination, isolation, hy

Persistent cough, fever, fatigue, night Avoid close contact, vacc

Tuberculosis (TB) Bacteria
sweats hygiene
Waterborne Diseases
Disease Pathogen Symptoms Prevention

Hepatitis A Virus Fatigue, fever, nausea, jaundice Boiled water, vaccination, hy

Cholera Bacteria Severe diarrhea, dehydration Clean water, cooked food, va

Typhoid Bacteria Headache, abdominal pain, fever Boiled water, cooked food, v

Ascariasis Roundworms Worms in stool, weight loss, anemia Clean water, hygiene, dewor
Vector-borne Diseases

Disease Vector Symptoms Prevention

High fever, sweating, periodic Mosquito nets, repellents, elimi

Malaria Mosquitoes
chills breeding sites

Dengue Aedes Fever, headache, severe muscle

Remove stagnant water, use rep
Fever Mosquitoes pain

Prevention of Communicable Diseases

Essential Prevention Methods

🧼
Hand Hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap - reduces
infection by 50%
😷
Respiratory Etiquette: Cover mouth and nose while coughing
or sneezing
🏠
Isolation: Stay home when sick to prevent spreading to others
🚫
Avoid Sharing: Don't share personal items like towels, utensils
🦟
Vector Control: Use mosquito nets, repellents, eliminate
breeding sites
💧
Safe Food & Water: Drink boiled water, eat properly cooked
food
Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Chronic Diseases: NCDs that persist for long periods (more than
3 months) and require ongoing management.
Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens but are
linked to lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors. They have
become the leading cause of death in India.

Common NCDs

Diabetes
Symptoms: Frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss,
tiredness, slow healing
Causes: Hormonal imbalance, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity
Prevention: Balanced diet, regular exercise, maintain healthy
weight

Heart Disease
Risk Factors: High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking,
obesity
Prevention: Regular exercise, healthy diet, no smoking, stress
management

Cancer
Risk Factors: Tobacco use, poor diet, pollution, certain viruses
Prevention: Healthy lifestyle, avoiding carcinogens, regular
check-ups

Asthma
 Triggers: Air pollution, allergens, stress, cold air
Management: Avoiding triggers, proper medication, breathing
exercises

Deficiency Diseases

These are also non-communicable diseases caused by lack of

specific nutrients:
 Scurvy: Vitamin C deficiency - causes bleeding gums, weakness
 Anemia: Iron deficiency - causes fatigue, pale skin
 Goiter: Iodine deficiency - causes swelling of thyroid gland
Dr. Kamal Ranadive (1917-2001)
Pioneering biomedical researcher who studied how hormones and
viruses are linked to cancer. Her work showed how tobacco, diet,
and pollution increase cancer risk, highlighting the importance of
healthy lifestyle.

Prevention Strategies for NCDs

Lifestyle Modifications

🥗
Diet Mantra: Reduce oil and sugar in diet by 10%, eat balanced
meals
🏃
Regular Exercise: Physical activity prevents obesity, diabetes,
heart disease
🧘
Yoga Benefits: Reduces anxiety, increases concentration,
improves overall health
⚖️
Weight Management: Maintain healthy BMI to prevent various
diseases
🚭
Avoid Harmful Substances: No tobacco, alcohol, or addictive
drugs
Disease Prevention & Control

Remember: "Prevention is better than cure" - It's always better

to prevent diseases than to treat them later.

Community Health Measures

Community-led initiatives can significantly reduce disease spread:

Case Study: Odisha Sanitation Campaign
In Bhadrak district, Odisha, a community sanitation campaign
helped build toilets and reduce open defecation, leading to
improved child health with fewer cases of diarrhea and infections.
Community Prevention Strategies

🚽
Sanitation Programs: Building toilets, reducing open defecation
💧
Clean Water Supply: Safe drinking water reduces waterborne
diseases by 50%

Waste Management: Proper disposal prevents vector breeding

📚
Health Education: Awareness programs in communities

Government Health Initiatives

Fit India Movement

National campaign promoting physical fitness and healthy
lifestyle habits across India to combat rising NCDs.
Immunity & Vaccines
Immunity: The natural ability of our body to fight diseases
through the immune system is called Immunity. Some people
have stronger immunity than others.

Types of Immunity

Natural Immunity
What: Body's inborn defense mechanism
Characteristics: Varies from person to person, present from
birth
Example: Some people get sick less frequently than others

Acquired Immunity
What: Protection developed after exposure to pathogens or
vaccines
Characteristics: Long-lasting, specific protection
Example: Immunity after vaccination or recovering from disease

Understanding Vaccines

A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a

particular disease by producing antibodies against the disease
causing microbes.
How Vaccines Work

🦠
Made from: Weakened/dead pathogens or their harmless parts

Training: Train immune system to recognize threats without

causing disease
⚡
Response: Provide quick, strong response when real pathogen
attacks
👶
Protection: Protect people of all ages - infants to elderly
Edward Jenner & Smallpox Vaccine (Late 1700s)
Observation: Jenner noticed that milkmaids who had cowpox
didn't get smallpox.
Experiment: He injected cowpox material into a boy, who later
showed resistance to smallpox.
Result: This led to the first vaccine and eventually worldwide
eradication of smallpox by 1979.

Indian Traditional Method - Variolation

Ancient Indian practice using material from smallpox sores to
create mild infection and build immunity. Practitioners were
called teekedaars.
India's Role in Global Vaccine Production
India is one of the world's largest vaccine producers, supplying
vaccines globally and playing a crucial role during COVID-19
pandemic in providing affordable vaccines worldwide.

Antibiotics & Treatment

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are medicines that kill or stop the growth

of harmful bacteria in the body, helping to treat bacterial
infections. They do not work against viral diseases like the
common cold or flu.
Discovery of Penicillin (1928)
Discoverer: Alexander Fleming, a bacteriologist from London
Discovery: He noticed that mould on a petri dish stopped
bacteria from growing
Significance: First antibiotic that saved millions of lives
worldwide
⚠️Antibiotic Resistance - Major Health Problem
🦠
Problem: Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics due to overuse
and misuse
💊
Result: Makes common infections harder to treat and more
dangerous
⏰
Impact: Leads to prolonged illness, complications, and even
death

Prevention of Antibiotic Resistance

N
Doctor's Prescription: Take antibiotics only when prescribed by
a qualified doctor
💊
Complete Course: Finish the full course even if feeling better
🚫
Not for Viruses: Don't use antibiotics for viral infections like
cold, flu
 🐄
Animal Use: Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use in livestock

Traditional Medicine Systems

Indian traditional systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and

Unani use natural substances (herbs, oils, minerals) for:
 Managing common health problems and promoting recovery
 Focusing on healthy lifestyle and balanced diet
 Preventive care and overall well-being
 Note: May not be effective for all diseases and all stages

Treatment Approaches

Communicable Diseases
• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Supportive care for viral infections
• Isolation to prevent spread
• Specific treatments for parasites

Non-communicable Diseases
• Lifestyle modifications
• Long-term medication management
• Regular health monitoring
• Rehabilitation programs
NCERT Probe and Ponder Questions (Page 28)

Question 1.
How does your body respond to an infection such as the common cold?
Answer:
The body responds to a common cold (caused by viruses) through the immune system.
Symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, or cough occur as the body fights the infection.
The immune system produces antibodies to neutralize the virus, and white blood cells
attack infected cells. Rest, hydration, and sometimes medication (e.g., for fever) help
recovery.

Question 2.
We rarely see cases of smallpox or polio these days, but diseases like diabetes and heart
problems are more common. Why?
Answer:
Smallpox and polio have been nearly eradicated due to widespread vaccination programs
(e.g., Edward Jenner’s smallpox vaccine, polio vaccines). In contrast, non-communicable
diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and heart problems are increasing due to modern lifestyle
factors such as unhealthy diets (e.g., processed and junk foods like pizza, burgers, etc.),
lack of exercise, stress, and longer life expectancies.

Question 3.
Could climate change lead to new types of diseases?
Answer:
Yes, climate change can lead to new or increased disease risks. Warmer temperatures and
changing weather patterns can expand the range of disease-carrying vectors like
mosquitoes (e.g., malaria, dengue), alter water quality, and create conditions for new
pathogens to emerge or spread more easily.

Question 4.
How do emotions like stress or worry affect us and make us sick?
Answer:
Stress or worry can weaken the immune system by releasing hormones like cortisol, making
the body more susceptible to infections (e.g., colds). Chronic stress can also contribute to
non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure or diabetes by affecting sleep, diet,
and mental health.

Question 5.
Why do some groups of people get affected more than others during disease outbreaks?
Answer:
Some groups are more affected due to factors like weaker immunity (e.g., children, elderly),
poor living conditions (e.g., lack of sanitation), malnutrition, or preexisting health issues.
Social factors, such as crowded living spaces or limited healthcare access, also increase
vulnerability.

NCERT Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Question Answer

Health: The Ultimate Treasure (Exercise)
Question 1.
Group the diseases shown in the images as communicable or non-communicable.
Answer:
Communicable Diseases

 Cold and Flu

 Typhoid Chickenpox

Non-communicable Diseases

 Diabetes
 Asthma

Question 2.
Diseases can be broadly grouped into communicable and non-communicable diseases.
From the options given below, identify the non-communicable diseases.
(i) Typhoid
(ii) Asthma
(iii) Diabetes
(iv) Measles
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (i) and (iv)
(d) (ii) and (iv)
Answer:
(b) (ii) and (iii)

Question 3.
There is a flu outbreak in your school. Several classmates are absent, while some are still
coming to school coughing and sneezing.

1. What immediate actions should the school take to prevent further spread?
2. If your classmate, who shares the bench with you, starts showing symptoms of the flu,
how can you respond in a considerate way without being rude or hurtful?
3. How can you protect yourself and others from getting infected in this situation?

Answer:
 1. The school should close temporarily, sanitise classrooms, and encourage sick
students to stay home to prevent further spread.
2. You can politely suggest that your classmate see a doctor and take a rest at home,
and offer to share notes with them.
3. To protect yourself and others, wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact, and
wear a mask.

Question 4.
Your family is planning to travel to another city where malaria is prevalent.

1. What precautions should you take before, during, and after the trip?
2. How can you explain the importance of mosquito nets or repellents to your sibling?
3. What could happen if travellers ignore health advisories in such areas?

Answer:

1. To protect our family from malaria during travel, focus on preventing mosquito bites
and taking prescribed preventative medication.

 Before travel, consult a doctor, get necessary vaccinations, and pack mosquito
repellent and protective clothing.
 During the trip, continue using repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep
under mosquito nets.
 After returning, monitor for any symptoms like fever, and seek immediate
medical attention if they occur.
2. Explain to your sibling that mosquitoes spread malaria and that nets or repellents
protect by blocking bites.
3. If travellers ignore health advisories in such areas, they risk malaria infection, severe
illness, or even death.

Question 5.
Your uncle has started smoking just to fit in with his friends, even though it is well known
that smoking can seriously harm health and even cause death.

1. What would you say to him to make him stop, without being rude?
2. What would you do if your friend offered you a cigarette at a party?
3. How can schools help prevent students from indulging in such harmful habits?

Answer:

1. Dear Uncle, I care about your health and well-being, and I want to talk to you about
smoking. It’s well-known that smoking can lead to serious health issues, including
heart disease and lung cancer. Quitting smoking can greatly improve your health and
quality of life.
2. Politely decline the cigarette at the party and explain the health risks to your friend.
 3. Schools can help prevent students from indulging in such habits by educating them
about the health risks and organizing awareness programs regularly.

Question 6.
Saniya claims to her friend Vinita that “Antibiotics can cure any infection, so we don’t need
to worry about diseases.” What question(s) can Vinita ask her to help Saniya understand
that her statement is incorrect?
Answer:
Why Saniya’s Statement is Wrong:

 Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, not viral ones like the flu or common
cold.
 Overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance, making them less
effective in the future.
 Some diseases are caused by fungi, protozoa, or viruses, which require different
treatments.

Vanita can ask Saniya, Did you know that antibiotics don’t work on viruses like the flu or
measles? They’re only useful for bacterial infections. Also, if we take antibiotics when we
don’t need them, they might stop working when we really do. That’s why doctors are careful
about prescribing them.”

Question 7.
The following table contains information about the number of dengue cases reported in a
hospital over one year:

Make a bar graph of the number of cases on the Y-axis and the month on the X-axis.
Critically analyse your findings and answer the following:

1. In which three months were the dengue cases highest?

2. In which month(s) were the cases lowest?
3. What natural or environmental factors during the peak months might contribute to the
increase in dengue cases?
4. Suggest a few preventive steps that the community or government can take before the
peak season to reduce the spread of dengue.
Answer:

1. The dengue cases were highest in July, August, and September.

2. The cases were lowest in January.
3. Natural or environmental factors during the peak months, such as the rainy season
and standing water for mosquito breeding, might contribute to the increase in dengue
cases.
4. The community or government can take preventive steps like removing stagnant
water, using mosquito nets, and spraying insecticides during this period regularly to
reduce the spread of dengue.

Question 8.
Imagine you are in charge of a school health campaign. What key messages would you use
to reduce communicable and non-communicable diseases?
Answer:
Key messages for a school health campaign to reduce communicable and non-
communicable diseases include washing hands regularly, eating a healthy diet, exercising
daily, getting vaccinated, and avoiding smoking.

Question 9.
It is recommended that we not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold, a cough, or
the flu. Can you provide the possible reason for this recommendation?
Answer:
The recommendation to avoid antibiotics for a viral infection like a cold, cough, or flu is
because antibiotics do not work on viruses, which cause these illnesses.

Question 10.
Which disease(s) among the following may spread if drinking water gets contaminated by
the excreta from an infected person?
Hepatitis A, Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Cholera, Chickenpox.
Answer:
The diseases that may spread if drinking water gets contaminated by the excreta from an
infected person are Hepatitis A, Poliomyelitis, and Cholera.

Question 11.
When our body encounters a pathogen for the first time, the immune response is generally
low, but on exposure to the same pathogen again, the immune response by the body is
much more compared to the first exposure. Why is it so?
Answer:
When our body faces a pathogen (like a virus or bacteria) for the first time, our immune
system needs time to:

 Identify the invader

 Create specific antibodies
 Build memory cells that remember the pathogen

This first reaction is called the primary immune response, and it’s usually slow and weak.
When the same pathogen enters our body again:

 Our memory B cells quickly produce the correct antibodies

 Our memory T cells help destroy infected cells faster

This is called the secondary immune response, and it’s faster, stronger, and more effective.

Class 8 Health: The Ultimate Treasure Question Answer

(Activities)
Activity 3.1: Let us Read (Page 29)

Question 1.
What was the cause of the boy’s health problems?
Answer:
The boy’s health problems were caused by a combination of loneliness, lack of social
support (due to busy parents and no friends), and excessive screen time. His isolation and
reliance on social media worsened his mental state, leading to physical symptoms like
headaches, weight loss, and insomnia. The absence of a supportive environment and
healthy coping mechanisms contributed significantly.

Question 2.
How did his habits and surroundings affect his well-being?
Answer:
  Habits: Spending excessive time on his phone and social media increased his
loneliness and stress, disrupting his sleep and mental health. Avoiding social
interaction further isolated him, impacting his emotional well-being.
 Surroundings: Moving to a new city with no friends and busy parents created an
unsupportive environment, exacerbating his feelings of isolation. The lack of a social
network and guidance affected both his mental and physical health negatively.
 Overall Impact: This led to a decline in his well-being, manifesting as physical
symptoms (headaches, weight loss, sleeplessness) and emotional distress, aligning
with the WHO definition of health as physical, mental, and social well-being.

Activity 3.3: Let us Compare (Page 31)

Question 1.
Look at Fig. (a) and Fig. (b). Which playground would you like to play in, and why?

Answer:
Preferred Playground: Most students would prefer to play in the playground shown in Fig.
(a).
Reason:
  The text describes Fig. (a) as clean, well-maintained, and beautiful, making it a safe
and enjoyable place to play.
 In contrast, Fig. (b) is described as polluted, dirty, unhygienic, and full of flies and
mosquitoes, which can increase the risk of sickness and make it unpleasant.
 A clean environment, as highlighted in the text, supports health by reducing exposure
to pathogens and pollutants, aligning with the chapter’s emphasis on environmental
health.

Activity 3.6: Let us Read (Page 37)

Question 1.
What do you infer from this case study?
Ans.

 The case study shows that improving sanitation, such as building and using toilets,
can greatly reduce open defecation and improve health, especially for children. The
significant drop in diarrhoea and infections suggests that clean sanitation prevents the
spread of communicable diseases caused by pathogens in contaminated
environments (e.g., through water or soil)
 It highlights the importance of community effort and simple measures, aligning with
the document’s emphasis on hygiene and clean surroundings as key to disease
prevention.
 Inference: Better sanitation directly enhances physical health by reducing exposure to
disease-causing agents, supporting the WHO definition of health as physical well-
being.

Question 2.
Find out about such community campaigns held in your location. Share in your class and
discuss with your peers about the impact of such initiatives.
Answer:
Finding Campaigns: (This depends on local context; example based on general knowledge
and the document’s focus on India):

 Example campaigns might include the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission),
a nationwide initiative to improve sanitation by building toilets and promoting hygiene,
similar to the Odisha campaign. Local efforts might involve village clean-up drives or
water purification projects.
 Students should research through local news, school resources, or community leaders
to identify specific campaigns in their area.