4.1 Health and Hygiene

Types of Diseases

• Communicable Diseases: Transmitted from person to person or animal to human (e.g., Tuberculosis, Flu, Malaria).
  • Caused by pathogens: bacteria, viruses, protozoa, worms.
• Non-communicable Diseases: Cannot be transmitted (e.g., Diabetes, Heart Disease).

Modes of Transmission of Diseases

• Direct Contact: Touching, kissing, sexual contact.
• Indirect Contact: Touching contaminated objects.
• Droplet Transmission: Coughs or sneezes.
• Airborne Transmission: Pathogens suspended in air.
• Vector-borne Transmission: Transmitted by living organisms (e.g., mosquitoes, flies).
• Water-borne Transmission: Through contaminated water.
• Food-borne Transmission: Through contaminated food.

Ways to Prevent Communicable Diseases

• Personal Hygiene: Hand washing, bathing, brushing teeth, covering coughs/sneezes.
• Public Hygiene: Proper waste disposal, sanitation, clean drinking water.
• Vaccination: Immunization against specific diseases.
• Isolation: Separating infected individuals.
• Vector Control: Controlling disease-carrying organisms.
• Safe Food and Water: Proper cooking, clean water.
• Healthy Lifestyle: Balanced diet, exercise, rest.

Hygiene

• Definition: Practices conducive to maintaining health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness.
• Examples: Hand washing, daily bathing, brushing teeth, keeping nails short, covering coughs/sneezes.

Ways to Keep the Surroundings Clean

• Safe Disposal of Garbage: Segregation and proper disposal.
• Regular Cleaning: Sweeping, mopping, dusting.
• Drainage Systems: Ensuring proper functioning.
• Pest Control: Controlling mosquitoes, flies, rodents.
• Clean Public Spaces: Avoiding littering.

Healthy Practices for Hygiene

• Using clean utensils.
• Storing food properly.
• Drinking boiled or filtered water.
• Avoiding open defecation.
• Maintaining cleanliness in schools and workplaces.