CSEC HSB – Section D: Disease and Its Impact on Humans
1. Good Health & Disease
• Good health (WHO): A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the
absence of disease/infirmity.
• Disease: Any abnormal condition affecting structure/function of the body, leading to impaired
health.
2. Disease Classification
• Communicable (infectious): Spread from person to person/animals via pathogens (e.g. influenza,
HIV, malaria).
• Non-communicable:
o Chronic/degenerative – e.g. heart disease, arthritis.
o Nutritional deficiency – e.g. rickets (Vit. D), scurvy (Vit. C).
o Inherited disorders – e.g. sickle-cell anaemia.
3. Signs vs Symptoms
• Signs: Objective, observable/measurable (e.g. rash, fever).
• Symptoms: Subjective, felt by patient (e.g. pain, dizziness).
4. Asthma – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
• Causes: Allergens (pollen, dust, pet dander), pollutants, cold air, exercise, stress.
• Symptoms: Wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing.
• Treatment: Inhaled bronchodilators, corticosteroids, avoiding triggers.
5. How Asthma Affects the Respiratory Tract
• Airways become inflamed and narrowed.
• Excess mucus production.
• Reduces airflow → difficulty in breathing.
6. Chronic/Lifestyle Diseases
a) Causes, Signs/Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
• Obesity:
o Cause: Excess caloric intake vs energy expenditure.
o Symptoms: Excess body fat, fatigue.
o Treatment: Diet control, exercise.
o Prevention: Healthy eating, active lifestyle.
• Diabetes Mellitus:
o Type I: Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells.
o Type II: Insulin resistance, often linked to obesity.
o Symptoms: Frequent urination, thirst, fatigue.
o Treatment: Insulin (Type I), diet + oral meds (Type II).
o Prevention (Type II): Diet, exercise.
• Cardiovascular Disease:
o Hypertension: High blood pressure.
o Coronary heart disease: Narrowed heart arteries.
o Treatment: Medication, low-salt/fat diet, exercise.
b) Complications of Obesity
• Type II diabetes and secondary hypertension.
c) Importance of Diet & Exercise
• Reduces risk of chronic disease, maintains healthy weight, improves heart health.
7. Infectious Diseases
Disease Causative Agent Symptoms Prevention & Control
Influenza Virus Fever, cough, sore throat Vaccine, hygiene
Bronchitis Virus/bacteria Cough, mucus Hygiene, avoid smoke
Pneumonia Bacteria/virus Chest pain, fever Vaccine, antibiotics
Gonorrhoea Neisseria gonorrhoeae Discharge, pain urinating Safe sex, antibiotics
Syphilis Treponema pallidum Sores, rash Safe sex, antibiotics
Herpes Herpes virus Blisters Safe sex, antivirals
Ringworm Fungus Circular rash Hygiene, antifungals
Typhoid Salmonella typhi Fever, rash Safe water, antibiotics
Tuberculosis Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cough, weight loss Vaccine (BCG)
Cholera Vibrio cholerae Diarrhoea, dehydration Clean water, oral rehydration
Gastroenteritis Virus/bacteria Vomiting, diarrhoea Hygiene, safe food
8. HIV/AIDS
• Cause: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Transmission: Sexual contact, blood transfusion, sharing needles, mother-to-child.
• Symptoms: Weak immunity, opportunistic infections.
• Prevention: Safe sex, screened blood, sterile needles.
• Treatment: Antiretroviral drugs (side effects: nausea, fatigue).
9. STI Effects on Pregnancy
• Miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, congenital infection, blindness, brain damage.
10. Socio-Economic Impact of Disease
• Loss of workforce productivity, increased healthcare costs, poverty cycle, emotional strain on
families.
11. Malaria & Dengue
Disease Causative Agent Transmission Symptoms Prevention Treatment
Malaria Plasmodium Anopheles Fever, chills, Mosquito Antimalarials
parasite mosquito anaemia control, nets
Dengue Dengue virus (4 Aedes aegypti High fever, joint Mosquito Supportive
strains) mosquito pain, rash control care
12. Vectors
• Definition: Organisms that transmit pathogens.
• Examples: Rats (leptospirosis), mosquitoes (malaria, dengue), houseflies (gastroenteritis).
13. Life Cycle
• Mosquito: Egg → larva → pupa → adult.
• Housefly: Egg → larva (maggot) → pupa → adult.
14. Vector Control
• Destroy breeding sites, use insecticides, improve sanitation, personal protective measures.
15. Personal Hygiene
• Prevent odours, infections, dental caries, ensure social acceptance.
• Includes male circumcision, genital care.
16. Microorganism Control
• Sterilization: Complete destruction (UHT, pasteurization, autoclaving, boiling, canning).
• Effects of High Temp/Chemicals: Kills/inhibits microbes.
• Disinfection: Use of chlorine, antiseptics.
17. Disinfectants vs Antiseptics
• Disinfectants: Used on non-living surfaces.
• Antiseptics: Safe for living tissue.
18. Antibiotics & Antifungals
• Antibiotics: Kill/inhibit bacteria.
• Antifungals: Kill/inhibit fungi.
• Antigen: Foreign substance triggering immune response.
• Antibody: Protein defending against antigen.
• Anti-toxin: Neutralizes toxins.
19. Types of Immunity
• Active: Body produces antibodies (natural or vaccine-induced).
• Passive: Antibodies from another source (mother to child or injection).
20. Immunity vs Immunization
• Immunity: Ability to resist disease.
• Immunization: Process of making someone immune.
• Vaccine: Preparation containing antigen.
• Vaccination: Administration of vaccine.
21. Drug Use & Misuse
• Misuse: Improper use causing harm.
• Prescription drugs: Sedatives, painkillers, antibiotics.
• Non-prescription drugs: Cocaine, LSD, heroin, marijuana, alcohol.
• Effects: Physiological (organ damage) & psychological (addiction).
22. Social Effects of Drug Misuse
• Family breakdown, crime, unemployment, social stigma.