Antibiotic Resistance: A condition in which bacteria can no longer be killed by a particular antibiotic.

Bacteria: Tiny, single-celled organisms that can cause disease.

Fungus: An organism that absorbs or uses nutrients from dead or living organisms.

Infectious Disease: Any disease that is caused by an agent that has invaded the body.

    Infectious disease can be spread through animals [many animals carry infectious diseases that can be passed on to humans], food and water [foodborne pathogens are often spread from a person preparing food or contaminated food that is served; water can be contaminated when it is exposed to animal waste or sewage], person to person interaction [tiny drops of mucus or saliva can invade the air with many pathogens], and the environment [pathogens can exist on objects that are used by infected people].

t/ Bacterial diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics slow down the growth of or kill the infectious bacterias.

    t/ Fungal infections, though less common, can be very dangerous if not treated. Typically, over-the-counter medications are enough, but sometimes prescription medications are necessary.

    t/ Parasitic infections such as lice, the most common parasitic infection in the US, can easily be treated with a prescribed medication.

    t/ Protozoan infections are best treated with prevention. Good hygiene and sanitation keep many protozoans from being able to reproduce, spread, and survive. Protozoan infections must be treated with prescription medicines.

    t/ Viral diseases can be treated with antiviral medications that work to relieve symptoms and stop production inside the human cell. The medications must be taken early in the illness to have an effect.

Pathogen: An agent that causes disease.

Virus: A tiny disease causing particle that consists of genetic material and a protein coat.

Inflammation: A reaction to infection or injury that is characterized by pain, redness, and swelling.

Lymphatic System: A network of vessels that carry clear fluid called lymph through the body.

Symptom: A change that a person notices in their body or mind and that is caused by a disease or disorder.

Vaccine: A substance prepared from genetic material that is introduced into the body to produce immunity or killed or weakened pathogens.

White Blood Cells: A blood cell whose primary job is to defend the body against disease.

Signs that you need medical help…

+ mucus from your lungs, nose, or throat is a green-yellowish color and thick

+ you have a cut that does not heal properly

+ you have difficulty breathing

+ you have severe pain somewhere

+ your temperature is 101 degrees or above

To stay healthy you can…

+ drink water

+ eat a balanced, healthy diet

+ exercise regularly

+ get enough sleep

+ get regular medical checkups

+ get vaccinated

+ protect yourself

+ reduce your stress levels

+ try to avoid sick people

To take care of yourself when you do get sick you can…

+ be on guard outdoors; it could be cold or have animals that cause infection

+ be sure to follow doctors' orders including taking your medicine properly

+ cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze

+ do not share personal items

+ drink plenty of fluids such as juices or water

+ if at all possible, stay home to avoid risk of infecting other people

+ wash your hands frequently

Your body fights diseases with inflammatory responses [if alcohol crosses the physical barriers and part of the body becomes infected, the affected area will become heated, red, and sore], physical barriers [mucous membranes, such as the digestive tract, mouth, nose, throat, etc, form a barrier to protect the body from pathogens. skin keeps pathogens from entering your body], and the immune system [the immune system is your body's final level of protection. it is made up of certain types of blood cells with proteins called antibodies. these blood cells carry lymph that help fight infection throughout the body].

Amebic Dysentery: An inflammation of the intestines caused by an amoeba.

Hepatitis: An inflammation of the liver.

Meningitis: An inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

Salmonellosis: A bacterial infection of the digestive system, usually spread by eating contaminated food.

Common bacterial diseases…

Sinus Infection: caught through contact with mucus from the nose or throat of an infected person; symptoms include a feeling of pressure in your head, headache, tenderness of sinuses, thick greenish mucus, etc; to prevent, avoid contact with allergens and infected people; to treat, use antibiotics.

Strep Throat: caught through contact with mucus from an infected person; symptoms include fever, sore throat, yellow-whitish speckles on the tonsils, etc; to prevent, avoid contact with an infected person; to treat, use antibiotics.

Tetanus: caught through cuts or wounds; symptoms include severe muscle spasms and etc; to prevent, get a series of vaccinations during childhood; to treat, use antibiotics or Tetanus Immune Globulin.

Common viral diseases…

Cold: caught through contact with mucus or saliva of an infected person; symptoms include runny nose, scratchy sore throat, sneezing, etc; to prevent, avoid contact with an infected person and wash hands frequently; to treat, drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Flu: caught through contact with mucus or saliva of an infected person; symptoms include cough, fatigue, fever, headache, sore muscles, sore throat, vomiting, etc; to prevent, avoid contact with an infected person and get vaccinated; to treat, drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Mononucleosis: caught through contact with mucus or saliva of an infected person; symptoms include fever, sore throat, swollenness, weakness, etc; to prevent, avoid drinking or eating after an infected person; to treat, drink plenty of fluids and see a doctor.

Other common infections…

Fungal Infections: These infections usually occur when a fungi comes into contact with skin that is moist and warm.

Parasitic Infections: Diseases that are caused by animal parasites including flukes, hookworm, pinworms, tape worms, and etc.

Protozoan Infections: Most often found in soil or water. Malaria is the most common protozoan infection.