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💬 Think about it
Some illnesses jump from person to person, like a cold passing around a classroom. Others, like diabetes, never spread — they grow from how we live. So diseases are not all the same. What causes them, and how can we group them? Let's find out.
What is a disease?
Disease
Dis–
not, or away from
Ease
the body and mind working normally
↓
A disease is a condition that affects the normal working of the body or mind.
- A disease affects the normal working of the body or mind.
- It happens when organs or organ systems stop working properly.
- Some last a short time; others continue for long and need care.
What causes diseases?
| Pathogen | What it is | Diseases it causes |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | Single-celled germs | Tuberculosis, cholera, typhoid |
| Viruses | Tiny acellular germs | Cold and flu, chickenpox, measles, hepatitis A, dengue |
| Fungi | Germs that grow as filaments | Skin and other fungal infections |
| Worms | Parasites living in the body | Ascariasis (roundworms) |
| Protozoa | Single-celled organisms | Malaria |
- Some diseases are caused by germs called pathogens.
- Pathogens include bacteria, viruses, fungi, worms, and protozoa.
- Other diseases come from poor nutrition or an unhealthy lifestyle.
What are the two major types of diseases?
How are diseases grouped?
Diseases
Two major types
Communicable
Caused by pathogens
Example:
Typhoid
Dengue
Flu
Chickenpox
COVID-19
Non-communicable
Not caused by germs
Example:
Cancer
Diabetes
Asthma
Non-communicable
Communicable
Not
caused by pathogens.
Caused by
pathogens
.
Do not
spread person to person.
Can
spread person to person.
Example: cancer, diabetes, asthma.
Example: typhoid, dengue, flu, COVID-19.
- Non-communicable diseases do not spread between people.
- Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens and can spread.
- They are grouped by their cause and how they spread.
Why are non-communicable diseases rising in India?
Why are non-communicable diseases rising in India?
The way people live has changed
Eating more processed food
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Less exercise, longer lives
The body is less active for more years
↓
NCDs become more common
Diabetes, heart disease and cancer
↓
Today, most deaths in India are caused by NCDs
- People now eat more processed food and exercise less.
- People are also living longer lives.
- Today, most deaths in India are caused by these diseases.
📋 NCERT Question 1 — Group as communicable or non-communicable
Group the diseases shown in the images as communicable or non-communicable: Cold and flu, Typhoid, Diabetes, Asthma, Chickenpox.
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