Page 56 - Science - 5
P. 56
The disease causing micro-organisms are transferred from one person to
another through various ways. These diseases are also known as infectious
diseases.
Spread of Communicable Diseases
Infectious diseases spread in different ways-
Direct and indirect contact
Direct contact with an infected person or animal can give you a disease. When
you have a cold, you can pass it on to another person through sneezing and
coughing. Open sores, boils or saliva of an infected person also contain germs
that spread infection.
Air
Germs remain in the air for quite sometime. Tuberculosis, chickenpox, mumps
and measles are some diseases that spread through air.
Insects
Just as flowers use the insects to carry their pollens to other flowers, germs
use insects like mosquitoes and flies to enter our body. These insects are
called vectors . When they bite us, germs enter our body. Malaria and sleeping
sickness are some of the diseases spread by insects.
Food and Water
Food can spread germs if it is not stored or cooked properly. Vegetables and fruits
need to be washed before eating. Water is a carrier of many diseases. Food
poisoning, diarrhoea and jaundice are some of the diseases caused by
contaminated food and water.
Prevention of Communicable Diseases
A few simple ways to prevent diseases from spreading are :
Personal Hygiene
It is important to keep our body free from diseases.
Discover 57 Science/5
57
57