(M1) Communicable diseases are very contagious and can spread very easily from one person to another person, this also includes from animal to person. You can get infected straight away just by touching, eating, drinking or breathing in a substance that has a lot of germs on it. Communicable diseases are caused by agents such as bacteria, parasites, protozoa, fungus and virus. Bacteria exist on every surface including in the air and below sea level. Most bacteria are harmless but others are harmful to our body and can do bad to your health and internal organs, kidneys and the heart. Bacteria can invade into the body via the mouth, sexual organs, nose, eyes or any cuts which need to be cleaned and dressed. Bacteria can enter the body if food is full of bacteria or it isn’t cooked properly, this is called E.Coli. E.Coli is type of bacteria that causes the person to become seriously sick and possibly kill them. A bacterium causes infectious diseases such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.
On the other hand, Viruses depend on the host to survive, grow and reproduce. Usually, a host can be an animal or a plan. Viruses are believed to be the smallest microbes on this planet. Once the virus is inside the body it can spread and make the person very ill. ‘‘They reproduce by injecting their genes into the cell to reproduce thousands of new viruses. Viruses cause chicken pox and flue.’’ (Hillendale Health n.d) Viruses can also cause Measles, Influenza and common cold.
Fungi are multi-celled organisms that cannot produce their own food, however fungi can get their nutrition’s from plants and animals. Fungi’s ideal place for growth and reproduction are in damp, warm areas. Most of the fungi aren’t dangerous; it can cause ringworms, Athlete’s foot and psoriasis.
Protozoa are like bacteria one-celled organisms. These organisms love to be in damp places and often spread diseases