Introduction
A disease is any abnormal condition that obstructs normal bodily functions and often leads to a feeling of pain and weakness. It is usually associated with symptoms and signs. It is a pathologic condition in which the normal functioning of the body is impaired or disrupted, resulting in distress, or death. We can say that good health is the state where we are physically, mentally, and socially fit, and disease is a factor that affects health. A condition can be either due to structural disorder or functional abnormality in the body.
Infectious diseases, deficiency diseases, hereditary diseases (including genetic and non-genetic hereditary disorders), and physiological diseases are the four basic categories of diseases. Diseases can also be divided into categories such as communicable and non-communicable. Here, we will talk about communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases.
We can call diseases those abnormalities in our body, which cause discomfort as a result of organs or organ systems being affected. It is essential to know that there is a condition that is responsible for the improper functioning of the body. We realize that something is wrong when we notice the signs and symptoms. A proper diagnosis of the disease is possible by visible signs that our body exhibits. These signs are called symptoms. It is these symptoms that help in the accurate diagnosis of the disease. The study of disease is called pathology.
Communicable Diseases
The term "communicable disease" refers to illnesses that can be passed from one person to another through a variety of means. The spread of communicable diseases is aided and accelerated by socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral variables, as well as international travel and migration. It includes contact with blood and bodily fluids, breathing an airborne virus, or by an insect bite.
Vaccine-preventable, foodborne, zoonotic, healthcare-related, and communicable diseases are all serious hazards to human health, and they can even jeopardize global health security. The pathogen or infectious agent, as well as the mode of transmission, determine how these diseases spread.
Examples
AIDS
Polio
Measles
Influenza
Tuberculosis
Whooping cough
Typhoid
Cholera
Causes
Pathogens that are transferred from one organism to another produce communicable diseases. Pathogens are organisms that cause disease. Viruses, bacteria, fungus, protozoa, and worms are the five basic forms of pathogenic organisms.
Symptoms
Communicable diseases commonly cause headaches, runny noses, flu, vomiting, fever, dysentery, diarrhea, cough, malaria, muscle aches, rabies, itching, and other symptoms.
Treatment
The treatment of the communicable disease depends on the type of microorganism that causes the infection.
If bacteria create a disease, antibiotic treatment usually kills the bacteria and brings the infection to a close.
Supportive therapy, such as rest and increased hydration intake, are frequently used to treat viral infections.
Antifungal and antiparasitic treatments, such as fluconazole, and antiparasitic pharmaceuticals, such as mebendazole, are used to treat fungal and parasitic infections.
Non-Communicable Diseases
Non-communicable diseases or NCDs generally are long-lasting and progress slowly, and thus they are sometimes also referred to as chronic diseases. They can also result from exposure to adverse environments or from genetically determined abnormalities, which may be seen at birth or which may become apparent later in life. The majority of non-communicable infectious diseases are non-infectious, except parasitic disorders where the parasite's life cycle does not require direct host-to-host transmission.
Examples of Major Non–Communicable Disease Include:
Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, the majority of heart diseases, the majority of cancers, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and others are examples of non-communicable diseases.
Causes
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are referred to as "lifestyle" diseases because the majority of these illnesses are preventable. Tobacco use (smoking), hazardous alcohol use, poor diets (high consumption of sugar, salt, saturated fats, and trans-fatty acids), and physical inactivity are the most common causes.
Symptoms
Short of breath
Severe pain or discomfort in the chest
Rapid and irregular heartbeat
Dizziness and weakness
Severe headache
Confusion, difficulty speaking or understanding speech
Loss of strength in arms and legs
Dropping face, arm, leg especially on one side of the body
Difficulty of seeing with one or both eyes
Fainting or unconsciousness
Treatment
There is no permanent cure for NCDs. Medications and therapies help in relieving most of the symptoms. NCDs are lifestyle diseases. Prevention and management are better than cure in case of NCDs. In the case of cancer, early diagnosis helps in treatment. Lifestyle changes such as giving up on smoking and alcohol can bring about improvements in the case of NCDs. Fig 1
What is Asymptomatic Transmission?
Sometimes we hear a lot about the asymptomatic condition, particularly concerning the spread of COVID19. Asymptomatic transmission refers to a transmission of the virus from a person who does not develop or show any symptoms. People who are infected with COVID19 could likely transmit the virus before they develop any signs or symptoms. It is vital to know that pre-symptomatic transmission requires the virus to spread through infected droplets or through touching contaminated surfaces.
Nearly fifty percent of infections of regular seasonal flu may be asymptomatic. It may be in part due to pre-existing partial immunity. It may also be the case when asymptomatic patients shed their virus presence and can transmit the disease but not at the same rate as symptomatic persons. Now, it becomes a case of an invisible transmission of the virus.
It is important to note that 75 percent of people who have the flu show no symptoms for a long time.
It is tough to call this situation good or bad. It can be good that many people with flu do not experience symptoms and hardship. However, to limit the spread of a pandemic, this can be a stressful situation as it would be unclear who is infected and who is not.
FAQs on Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
1. What are communicable and non-communicable diseases?
A communicable disease, also known as an infectious disease, is an illness that can be transmitted from one person, animal, or object to another. These are caused by pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa. A non-communicable disease (NCD) is a medical condition or disease that is non-infectious and cannot be passed from person to person. They are typically chronic in nature, developing over a long period.
2. What is the main difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases?
The primary difference lies in their causation and transmission. Communicable diseases are caused by infectious agents (pathogens) and can spread through direct contact, air, water, or vectors. In contrast, non-communicable diseases are primarily caused by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use. They do not spread from one individual to another.
3. What are the common modes of transmission for communicable diseases?
Communicable diseases can be transmitted through several common modes:
- Direct Contact: Physical contact with an infected person, such as through touch or exchange of body fluids (e.g., chickenpox).
- Indirect Contact: Touching a contaminated surface or object (fomite) that an infected person has also touched.
- Droplet Transmission: Inhaling respiratory droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze (e.g., influenza, common cold).
- Vector-Borne: Transmission by insects or animals, such as mosquitoes or ticks (e.g., malaria, dengue).
- Contaminated Food or Water: Ingesting food or water contaminated with pathogens (e.g., cholera, typhoid).
4. Can you provide some examples of common communicable diseases?
Certainly. Common communicable diseases include:
- Viral Diseases: Common cold, Influenza (flu), COVID-19, Measles, and HIV/AIDS.
- Bacterial Diseases: Tuberculosis (TB), Typhoid, Cholera, and Tetanus.
- Fungal Diseases: Ringworm and Athlete's foot.
- Protozoan Diseases: Malaria and Amoebic dysentery.
5. What are the major types of non-communicable diseases, with examples?
The four main types of non-communicable diseases are:
- Cardiovascular Diseases: Conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attacks, stroke, and hypertension.
- Cancers: A large group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Examples include lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Diseases of the airways and other structures of the lungs, like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Diabetes: A metabolic disorder where the body has high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period.
6. How does a person's lifestyle contribute to developing a non-communicable disease?
Lifestyle choices are a major risk factor for many NCDs. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity can lead to obesity and cardiovascular issues. An unhealthy diet, high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, is linked to hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers. Furthermore, habits like tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption are direct causes or significant risk factors for cancer, liver disease, and respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
7. What are some general preventive measures for both communicable and non-communicable diseases?
Preventive measures often overlap. For communicable diseases, focus on vaccination, maintaining personal hygiene like frequent hand washing, and ensuring safe drinking water. For non-communicable diseases, prevention focuses on a balanced diet, regular physical exercise, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and managing stress. Maintaining a healthy body weight is a key preventive measure for both types.
8. Can a non-communicable disease be hereditary?
Yes, many non-communicable diseases have a genetic or hereditary component. This means a person may inherit a predisposition or a higher risk of developing a certain condition if it runs in their family. Examples include certain types of cancer, type 1 diabetes, and a predisposition to high cholesterol or heart disease. However, genetic risk does not guarantee the disease will develop; lifestyle and environmental factors often play a crucial role in its onset.
9. Why is the study of epidemiology important for controlling communicable diseases?
Epidemiology is the scientific study of how diseases spread and are distributed in populations. It is crucial for controlling communicable diseases because it helps public health officials:
- Identify the source and mode of transmission of an outbreak.
- Track the spread of the disease to predict its course.
- Determine who is at risk and needs protection.
- Develop and evaluate effective strategies for prevention and control, such as vaccination campaigns and public health advisories.
10. Can a communicable disease lead to a long-term non-communicable condition?
Yes, this is an important concept. Certain infectious agents can cause chronic inflammation or cellular changes that lead to a non-communicable disease over time. A classic example is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a communicable virus, which can lead to the development of cervical cancer, a non-communicable disease, years after the initial infection. Similarly, chronic Hepatitis B or C infections can lead to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
