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Epidemic, Pandemic, Should I Call The Medic? Biology Books For Kids - Children's Biology Books Chapter-by-Chapter Download

The document discusses the causes and spread of epidemics, highlighting factors such as unsanitary conditions, natural disasters, and the introduction of diseases to new geographic areas. It explains how compromised immune systems due to poor nutrition and contaminated food or water can lead to outbreaks. Additionally, it addresses how diseases can become more virulent over time, making them harder to treat.

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343 views17 pages

Epidemic, Pandemic, Should I Call The Medic? Biology Books For Kids - Children's Biology Books Chapter-by-Chapter Download

The document discusses the causes and spread of epidemics, highlighting factors such as unsanitary conditions, natural disasters, and the introduction of diseases to new geographic areas. It explains how compromised immune systems due to poor nutrition and contaminated food or water can lead to outbreaks. Additionally, it addresses how diseases can become more virulent over time, making them harder to treat.

Uploaded by

goach.muongm.iepbiet
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Epidemic, Pandemic, Should I Call the Medic?

Biology Books
for Kids | Children's Biology Books

Visit the link below to download the full version of this book:

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oks-for-kids-childrens-biology-books/

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WHAT STARTS
AN EPIDEMIC?
A n epidemic can be started in numerous
ways. Lack of sanitary conditions is one
of the major causes, but there are other
reasons as well.

Garbage scattered on street.


Wars and Natural
Disasters

F loods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters


can bring on the conditions for an epidemic
to start. Wars and other violent conflicts can also
be the cause. These conditions bring risks, such
as water or food that’s infected or introduction of
new diseases. When people are going through
these types of highly stressful situations, their
immune systems become compromised making
them more susceptible to sickness.

Flood of muddy water.


Smallpox was introduced into Mexico by the Spanish
expedition of Panfilo de Narvaez
Introduction of a Disease
into a Geographic Area

S ometimes diseases haven’t been introduced


into a specific geographic area so when they
are brought there, the population doesn’t have
any natural immunity to them. For example,
when the Europeans came to the Americas, they
brought smallpox with them. Entire populations
of Native Americans were destroyed by the
disease, because they were never exposed to
it prior to the Europeans arriving.
Lower Immunity to
a Disease

A t times, when people are always hungry


or when they suffer from poor nutrition,
these factors can cause them to have a lower
level of immunity.

When a disease strikes, they can’t resist it.

Homeless woman sitting alone on ground.


Infected Sources of
Food or Water

I f the sources of food or drinking water get


infected, then this can sometimes be the
start of an epidemic. Sometimes drinking
water for a city can become contaminated,
causing huge numbers of people to get sick
at the same time.

Dirty brown water running from a filthy faucet.


A Disease Becomes
More Virulent

S ometimes when a disease has been around


for a while, it becomes more virulent. This
simply means that it becomes stronger and is
resistant to antibiotics or other drugs. It also
means that it can make people sicker.

Viruses in infected organism.


HOW DOES
DISEASE SPREAD?

D isease can be spread in a number of


different ways. Unsanitary conditions
that cause food or drinking water to
be unsafe can cause diseases to spread.
Examples of diseases that are transmitted
this way are:

Flu epidemic. Passengers travel with their faces


protectively covered with a mask.
• CHOLERA, which causes watery diarrhea and
severe vomiting

• DYSENTERY, which causes bloody diarrhea

• TYPHOID FEVER, which causes severe headaches,


stomach pain, and loss of appetite

Another way that disease spreads is through the


air. For example, if you have the flu and you cough
or sneeze, you can spread the infection to another
person.

Boys take water on a street of Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya.

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