Disease interactions
diseaseIllness affecting plants and animals. can be grouped into two types:
- communicable diseaseA disease that is caused by a pathogen and so is transmitted rather than inherited or caused by an environmental factor., which can be transferred from one person to another, or from one organism to another, eg in humans, these include measles, food poisoning and malaria
- non-communicable, which are not transferred between people or other organisms
Non-communicable diseases include:
- cancerA disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. The uncontrolled growth causes a lump called a tumour to form.
- diabetesA serious disease in which the body is unable to regulate blood sugar.
- geneticTo do with inheritance because of genes. diseases and conditions
- heart diseaseA wide range of conditions that affect the heart.
- neurological disorderA condition affecting the nervous system - the brain, spinal cord, or nerves - and which may also have an effect on associated systems such as the muscles.
Non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are the leading cause of death in the world.
Different types of disease may interact.
- Defects in the immune systemThe body's defence system against entry of any foreign body, including pathogens and agents such as pollen grains. The role of the immune system is to prevent disease. mean that an individual is more likely to suffer from infectious diseases. For instance, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, which lead to AIDSAcquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome – a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)., affect the immune system and lead to an increase in infectious diseases.
- virusAn ultramicroscopic infectious non-cellular organism that can replicate inside the cells of living hosts, with negative consequences. living in cells can be the trigger for cancers. For instance, the majority of cases of cancer of the cervixRing of muscle at the lower end of the uterus. are linked with a virus present in the female reproductive systemThe organs and tissues involved in producing offspring..
- The reaction of the immune system to pathogenMicroorganism that causes disease. and other foreign bodies can trigger allergic reactions that lead to skin rashes and asthmaA disease that affects the respiratory system.. For instance, severe respiratory infections in babies can lead to asthma in later childhood.
- Severe physical ill health can lead to depressionDepression is a condition which affects mental health and causes people to experience symptoms such as depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure and feelings of guilt or low self-worth. and other types of mental illness.
