An Overview of Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Any abnormal condition that disturbs the regular biological processes and frequently produces symptoms of pain and weakness is referred to as a disease. It frequently comes with signs and warnings. The four main diseases are infectious diseases, deficient diseases, hereditary diseases (genetic and non-genetic hereditary disorders), and physiological diseases. Additionally, diseases can be categorised into two major categories as non-communicable and communicable diseases.
The primary difference between infectious and non-infectious diseases is that infectious disease can spread from person to person since it is contagious. Non-infectious diseases, on the other hand, are not contagious. These diseases are also referred to as non-communicable diseases. They are typically caused by internal body dysfunction.
What is Infection?
Infection is the spread and development of germs inside the body. Bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, and other microbes are examples of these germs. Infections can start anywhere in the body and have the potential to spread everywhere. Depending on where in the body it develops, an infection might result in fever and other medical issues. When the immune system of the body is strong, it can frequently fight pathogens and treat infections. Some cancer treatments can weaken the immune system of the body, which increases the risk of infection.
What are Infectious Diseases?
Diseases caused by microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungus, and protozoa are referred to as infectious diseases. They are also known as communicable diseases because they can be transmitted from one person to another by means of things like contaminated air, food, water, vectors, etc.
Causes of Infectious Diseases
Microorganisms or pathogens that invade the body are the causes of infectious diseases. For example, a certain virus can cause a viral infection. Pathogens are microscopic organisms that are more likely to result in illnesses. These pathogens are known as infectious agents. These agents are everywhere and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They could be categorised according to some common traits. Some of these are single-celled organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It is also known that other multicellular organisms, such as worms, can transmit disease.
These agents can invade our systems in body in a variety of ways, including:
By the transfer of body fluids.
By inhaling airborne specks or droplets.
Skin-to-skin contact.
Exposure to waste.
Consuming contaminated water or food.
Types of Infectious Diseases
It can be classified based on the infectious agent causing the disease. The primary categories are listed below:
Viral Infections
As the name suggests, viruses are the cause of viral infections. In this particular infection, viruses invade the host's body and release their genetic material before attaching to a cell. After the genetic material is released into the body of the host, the material activates and starts to proliferate. The virus spreads as the cell divides. More viruses are then released from infected cells, where they can infect further cells. Few viruses damage cells instead of changing their structure.
For example, the Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, triggers unregulated cell reproduction that results in cancer. Other examples include swine flu, polio, dengue fever, HIV, Zika virus, and Ebola virus.
Bacterial Infections
These are caused by bacteria which is a single-celled organisms. Typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, dysentery, diphtheria, and other conditions are examples of bacterial infections. Bacteria may survive in a variety of harsh conditions, including radioactive waste, severe heat, and extreme cold. Good bacteria prevent disease and kill harmful bacteria, but bad bacteria cause infection. Cholera, TB, diphtheria, and typhoid are a few examples of contagious bacterial diseases. Antibiotics are typically used to treat bacterial infections.
Other Infections
Ectoparasites, helminths, and protozoa can all spread contagious diseases. Contact with faeces is how protozoa are spread. Dysentery is caused by amoebic protozoa. Human infections can also be caused by helminths, which include both flatworms as well as roundworms. Ectoparasites like mites, lice, ticks, and other organisms usually attach to the host's skin and spread illnesses.
What are Non-Infectious Diseases?
Non-infectious diseases are those diseases that do not spread from one organism to another. These diseases are also referred to as non-communicable diseases. They are typically caused by internal body dysfunction. For example diabetes, it is caused by the dysfunction of the cells that produce the hormone insulin, which controls blood sugar levels, causing an imbalance in blood sugar levels. Non-infectious diseases do not spread through direct physical touch or through inhaling infected droplets. Only rare genetics can cause the spread.
Examples of Non-Infectious Diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases: Heart attacks and strokes
Diabetes
Cancer
Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Asthma
Injuries
Difference Between Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
Following is the difference between infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Interesting Facts
Infectious diseases are the second-leading cause of death worldwide, killing more than half of those under the age of five.
With over half of all infectious disease-related deaths occurring globally, Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to be the area most impacted by the phenomenon of infectious diseases on a global scale.
Tuberculosis, which continues to be a major health concern due to drug-resistant TB strains.
The primary cause of death from non-communicable diseases is cardiovascular disease.
Important Questions
How are non-infectious diseases controlled?
Ans: By lowering common risk factors like tobacco use, hazardous alcohol use, physical inactivity, and eating unhealthily, many non-infectious diseases can be avoided.
What are the symptoms of non-infectious diseases?
Ans: Symptoms or signs include persistent cough, breathlessness, persistent mucus production, wheezing, chronic chest pain, etc.
What is the most important way to treat an infectious disease?
Ans: Using medicine that kills pathogens is the most important way to treat an infectious disease.
Summary
Development and spread of pathogens inside the body is termed as an infection. There are two major types of diseases known: infectious (communicable) disease and non-infectious (non-communicable) disease. Harmful organisms like viruses and bacteria that enter your body from the outside cause infectious diseases. Examples of infectious diseases are swine flu, typhoid, cholera, etc.
Non-infectious diseases are caused by factors such as heredity, anatomical variations, ageing, and environmental factors rather than by harmful organisms. Non-infectious diseases cannot be contracted from other people, such as through a bug bite, or through food. Some examples of non-infectious diseases are asthma, cancer, diabetes, etc.
FAQs on Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases
1. What is the definition of an infectious disease?
An infectious disease is an illness caused by a pathogenic microorganism, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite. These diseases are often called communicable diseases because they can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one person or organism to another. The transmission can occur through various means, including airborne droplets, contaminated food or water, or direct contact.
2. What is a non-infectious disease?
A non-infectious disease is a medical condition or illness that is not caused by a pathogen and cannot be transmitted from one person to another. These diseases, also known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), typically arise from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors. Examples include heart disease, most cancers, and diabetes.
3. What is the primary difference between how infectious and non-infectious diseases are caused?
The primary difference lies in their origin. Infectious diseases are caused by an external agent, a pathogen (like a virus or bacteria), that invades the body. In contrast, non-infectious diseases are caused by internal factors, such as genetic predispositions (heredity), lifestyle choices (like diet and exercise), or environmental exposures (like pollution), rather than an invading organism.
4. Can you provide examples of diseases caused by different types of pathogens?
Yes, infectious diseases can be categorised by the type of pathogen that causes them. Here are some examples:
- Bacterial Diseases: Caused by bacteria, e.g., Tuberculosis (TB), Cholera, and Typhoid.
- Viral Diseases: Caused by viruses, e.g., the Common Cold, Influenza, and COVID-19.
- Fungal Diseases: Caused by fungi, e.g., Ringworm and Athlete's Foot.
- Protozoan Diseases: Caused by protozoa (a type of parasite), e.g., Malaria and Amoebic Dysentery.
5. What are some common examples of non-infectious diseases?
Non-infectious diseases are a major health concern globally. Some of the most common examples include:
- Cardiovascular Diseases: such as heart attacks and stroke.
- Cancers: various forms of malignant growths.
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases: like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Diabetes: a metabolic disorder affecting blood sugar levels.
- Hypertension: or high blood pressure.
6. Why is a disease like cancer classified as non-infectious, even though some viruses can increase cancer risk?
This is a great question that highlights a key distinction. While certain viruses, like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), are known to increase the risk of developing specific cancers (e.g., cervical cancer), the cancer itself is not contagious. The virus is infectious, but the resulting condition of uncontrolled cell growth (cancer) is not. A person with cancer cannot pass it to another person through contact. Therefore, cancer is classified as a non-infectious disease, even when a pathogen is a contributing risk factor.
7. How can lifestyle choices influence the risk of developing a non-infectious disease?
Lifestyle plays a crucial role in the development of many non-infectious diseases. Factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption are major risk factors. For instance, a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. Making positive lifestyle changes can significantly reduce these risks.
8. What is the importance of distinguishing between infectious and non-infectious diseases for public health strategies?
Distinguishing between these two types of diseases is fundamental for public health. Control strategies for infectious diseases focus on preventing transmission, such as vaccination programs, promoting hygiene, and quarantine measures. In contrast, strategies for non-infectious diseases focus on risk reduction through promoting healthy lifestyles, early screening and diagnosis, and long-term management of conditions. Understanding the cause determines the entire approach to prevention and treatment for a population.
