Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases

Communicable Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases for Class 5 Science

People usually get sick by coming in contact with causal organisms that spreads from an infected person. In this concept, the students will be introduced to various diseases and know about different communicable and non-communicable diseases in detail.

After reading the concept, students will be able to:

• Recite examples of common communicable diseases.
• Summarise different non-communicable diseases.
• Describe modes of transmission of communicable diseases.
• Answer how does rabies spread.
• Remember different ways to prevent the spread of diseases.

Each concept is explained to class 5 students using descriptions, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.

Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept Communicable Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases provided in PDF format.

Communicable Diseases:

The diseases that spread from infected persons to healthy persons are called communicable or infectious diseases.Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi cause communicable diseases.

• A person develops a communicable disease after becoming infected by the pathogen or an infected person.

Examples:Hepatitis A, Ebola, COVID-19

Non-communicable Diseases:

The diseases that do not get transferred from person to person are called non-communicable or non-infectious diseases.The main types of non-communicable diseases include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.

Examples:Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, etc.

Modes of Transmission of Communicable Diseases:

Person-to-Person Contact: Infectious diseases are commonly transmitted through direct person-to-person contact.
Direct contact can be through touch or the exchange of body fluids.

Examples:Chickenpox, measles.

 

Droplet Spread: Infections spread through the droplets released during coughing and sneezing.

Examples:Common cold, meningitis.

 

Contaminated Objects: Some pathogens are effective on the things touched by an infected person for some time.
Transmission occurs when one touches those infected objects, and then touches their mouth, nose and eyes.

Examples:Conjunctivitis, COVID-19.

 

Animal-to-Person Contact: Some infectious diseases can be transmitted from an infected animal to a healthy person.
It happens when an infected animal bites or scratches any exposed body part of the animal.

Examples:Rabies.

Prevention of the Spread of Diseases:

1.Hygienic Food Preparation: The following things should be taken care of while preparing food—

All utensils should be washed and cleaned properly.Fruits and vegetables should be washed properly before cooking or eating.Raw meat or fish should be washed and cooked properly. Uncooked or partially cooked meat and fish may have deadly microbes.Food should be refrigerated when not consumed.

 

Wash Hands Frequently: One should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water before and after eating food, after using the toilet
and after returning home from outside.

2.Use of Disinfectant for Cleaning Surfaces: Germs can thrive on surfaces. For ensuring germ-free, all commonly used surfaces should be cleaned using disinfectants.
Bathrooms and the kitchen should be washed and scrubbed regularly.

Not Share Personal Items: Personal items should not be shared, like toothbrushes, razors, or towels. In the case of syringes,
one should never share the needles; rather, they should only be used once and disposed of properly.

Let’s Get Vaccinated: Vaccines can prevent many infectious diseases. Vaccines for children and adults are designed to provide protection and
resistance against many communicable diseases like chicken pox, small pox, polio, etc.

Some Common Communicable Diseases and Their Causal Organisms

New Words

Did You Know?

The process of vaccination is centuries old. Edward Jenner was the first scientist who introduced the concept of vaccination in 1796, almost 100 years before viruses were even discovered.