Lesson
1
DISEASE
AND
INFECTION
Infection
Major Types
of
Pathogens
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Fungi
• Parasites
Infection refers to the abnormal
invasion and successful
multiplication of disease-causing
microorganisms (called
pathogens) in the body. This
causes disruption and damage to
body tissues or organs.
There are four major types of
pathogens or pathogenic
microorganisms:
a. Bacteria
b. Viruses
c. Fungi
Bacteria are small,
Bacteri one-celled, living
microorganisms found
a in soil, food, animals,
and insects. Bacteria
can grow and multiply
using the nutrients
found in its
environment.
Some examples of
bacterial infection are
tuberculosis,
Viruse
Viruses are very tiny
s
microorganisms that are
only able to multiply
inside a living cell. Some
examples of viral
infections are common
colds, flu, measles
(tigdas), dengue fever,
hepatitis and
coronavirus.
Fungi are multi-celled microorganisms that cannot
survive in soil, water, or air. They need a living
organism -- like plants or animals -- to get enough
nutrition. Yeast, molds, and mildew are part of this
group. An example of fungal infection is athlete’s foot,
recognized by the smelly and itchy rash in between
the toes.
Fung
i
Parasite Parasites are
organisms that need
s a living body to
reproduce,
snatching nutrients
for its own growth.
Some example of
parasitic infections
are ascaris,
hookworms, and
Since microorganisms are not
easily seen by the naked eye,
they can easily spread without
our knowledge.
Communicab
le
Diseases
“Communicable” is the word used to describe
diseases that are easily transferred from one person to
another. Microorganisms can be transferred through:
- Air
- Water
- Soil
- Blood
- Other body fluids
One example of a communicable disease is
tuberculosis. It is a disease of the respiratory system –
pertaining to the lungs – wherein the person becomes very
thin and experiences night sweats and frequent coughing.
When that person coughs, the droplets containing the virus
can be inhaled by someone else.
Signs
and
Symptom
s
Diseases are recognized
through signs and symptoms.
Signs are physical changes
seen by an individual and the
examiner (like a doctor). They can
be directly observed and measured.
For example:
- A doctor can spot paleness of lips
- A thermometer can measure the
degree of fever
- High blood pressure can be
measured
using a sphygmomanometer or
blood
ACTIVITY 1
Prevent the Spread of
Microorganisms
Proper Proper Getting
food handwashin vaccinate
preparatio g d
ACTIVITY 2
Prevent the Spread of
Microorganisms
Cleaning
Coughing Not sharing
frequently
into tissue or personal
used surfaces
sleeve items
ACTIVITY 3
Stages of
Disease
Convalescen
ce
Declin
e Illness
Prodromal
Incubation
Diseases do not just “suddenly”
happen. They develop in stages.
Although not all stages are apparent
and easily recognizable, knowing the
stages makes it easier to understand the
behavior of the disease. It allows medical
professionals to provide the proper
treatment and medication.
Stages of
Disease
Convalescen
ce
Declin
e
Illness
Prodromal
The first stage is
incubation. This period
refers to the initial
invasion of the
pathogen into the body.
“Pathogen” is the
microorganism that
carries the disease.
During the incubation
period, the pathogen
starts to multiply.
Stages of
Disease
Convalescen
ce
Declin
e
Illness
Prodromal
The next stage is
prodromal. During
this period, the
pathogen continues
to multiply. The
person begins to
experience signs
and symptoms of
the disease.
Stages of
Disease
Convalescen
ce
Declin
e
Illness
Prodromal
The third stage
is the illness
stage, when
signs and
symptoms are
already obvious
and severe.
Stages of
Disease
Convalescen
ce
Declin
e
Illness
Prodromal
In the decline stage,
the number of
pathogens starts to
decrease, and the
signs and symptoms
begin to wane.
However, because the
immune system was
greatly weakened by
the pathogen, the
person becomes
Stages of
Disease
Convalescen
ce
Declin
e
Illness
Prodromal
In the
convalescence
stage, the body
begins to recover
and eventually
returns to its
normal functions.
Periods of
Incubatio
n
Disease
Prodromal Illness Decline
Convalescence
Tim
e
The red line on this graph represents the number of
pathogens in the body. The blue line represents the
severity of signs and symptoms of a disease.
As you can see, both increase over time from
incubation to the illness stage, and begin to decrease in
the decline stage.
As the number of pathogens inside the body increase
(red line), so does the severity of signs and symptoms of a
Healthy Habits
Choose Choose to
Nutritiou Drink
s and Water and
Varied Milk
Options
LET’S HAVE A QUIZ!
[Link] invasion of microorganism in
our body.
[Link] microorganism which grows in
living cells.
3.A multi celled microorganism that
cannot survive in water, soil and air.
[Link] of this pathogen is
ROUNDWORMS.
[Link] of this pathogen is Urinary
LET’S HAVE A QUIZ!
6. A type of disease which can be easily
transfer from one person to another.
7. A physical changes in the body which
can be seen by individual or examiner.
8 – 11. Microorganism can be transferred
in what ways.
12-15. List down at least 5 ways to prevent
the spread of disease.
16-20. Give the different stages of
ACTIVITY
4
ACTIVITY
5
Infectious
Diseases
incubatio
n
prodrom
al
illnes
s
declin
e
convalescen
ce
Many infectious diseases are
contagious during the five
stages of disease. Contagious
means a sick person can
spread infection to other
people from the time of
incubation until
convalescence.
Diseases can cause morbidity
and mortality.
Morbidity refers to the state
Leading Causes of Morbidity
(2014)
• acute respiratory infection
• acute lower tract infection and
pneumonia
• hypertension
• urinary tract infection
• bronchitis
• influenza
• acute watery diarrhea
• tuberculosis, respiratory
• dengue fever
• tuberculosis, other forms
Leading Causes of Mortality
(2020)
• ischemic heart disease
• neoplasms / cancer
• cerebrovascular diseases (stroke,
aneurysm, hemorrhage)
• diabetes mellitus
• pneumonia
• hypertensive diseases
• COVI D - 19 (probable cases)
• chronic lower respiratory infections
• other heart diseases
• respiratory tuberculosis
“Prevention is Better Than
Cure”
Three Levels of
Prevention
Three Levels of
Prevention
Primary prevention
includes measures that
prevent the onset of
disease before the
disease happens.
• Immunization
• Regular exercise
• Nutritious diet
• Annual medical check-
up
Three Levels of
Prevention
Secondary prevention
includes measures that
lead to early diagnosis and
prompt treatment of a
disease for
at-risk persons, or early
screening before a disease
has a chance to develop.
• Laboratory screening
• Breast examination
• Pap smear test
Three Levels of
Prevention
Tertiary prevention
measures aim to re-
educate and rehabilitate a
person after experiencing
a disease to prevent
future complications.
• Diet therapy for
diabetics
• Rehabilitation of
stroke patient
ACTIVITY
6
Healthy Habits
Choose Choose to
Nutritiou Drink
s and Water and
Varied Milk
Options
