Q1: Define 'Health' according to WHO.

Answer: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Q2: What is a 'Disease'?

Answer: A disease is a condition of the body or mind that disturbs the normal functioning of an organism, leading to discomfort, dysfunction, or distress.

Q3: Differentiate between Infectious and Non-infectious diseases.

Answer:

• Infectious Diseases: Spread through pathogens (microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa) from one person to another or from environment to person. E.g., Tuberculosis, Malaria.
• Non-infectious Diseases: Do not spread through pathogens. They are often caused by internal factors like genetics, lifestyle choices, or environmental factors. E.g., Cancer, Diabetes.

Q4: Name the pathogen causing Tuberculosis (TB) and its mode of infection.

Answer: TB is caused by the bacterium *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*. It spreads through air (coughing/sneezing), spitting by the patient, prolonged contact, or sharing materials with an infected person.

Q5: List common symptoms of Tuberculosis.

Answer: Common symptoms of TB include chronic cough, blood in sputum, difficulty breathing, weight loss, fever, and chest pain.

Q6: How can Tuberculosis be prevented?

Answer: TB can be prevented by BCG vaccination, isolation of patients, and regular medication (DOTS - Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course).

Q7: What are the different types of Hepatitis viruses, and how do they spread?

Answer: Hepatitis is caused by various viruses (A, B, C, D, E). Hepatitis A and E spread through contaminated water/food. Hepatitis B, C, and D spread through blood transfusion, shared needles, and unprotected sexual contact.

Q8: What are the symptoms of Hepatitis?

Answer: Symptoms of Hepatitis include anorexia, yellow urine, general weakness, nausea, vomiting, and grey stools.

Q9: Name the pathogens causing Dysentery and Typhoid.

Answer: Dysentery can be caused by bacteria (*Shigella*, *E. coli*), viruses, or protozoa (*Entamoeba histolytica*). Typhoid is caused by the bacterium *Salmonella typhi*.

Q10: What are the common symptoms of Cholera?

Answer: Symptoms of Cholera include vomiting, severe diarrhea, dehydration, and muscle cramps.

Q11: How is Malaria transmitted, and what are its symptoms?

Answer: Malaria is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include recurrent fever with shivering, headache, vomiting, and sweating.

Q12: What causes Dengue, and how can it be prevented?

Answer: Dengue is caused by the DENV virus, transmitted by the bite of the female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Prevention involves preventing mosquito breeding (no stagnant water), maintaining clean surroundings, using mosquito nets, and repellents.

Q13: What is the pathogen for Swine Flu, and how does it spread?

Answer: Swine Flu is caused by the H1N1 virus. It spreads through contact with infected pigs or humans, and through droplets from coughing and sneezing.

Q14: What is AIDS, and how is HIV transmitted?

Answer: AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) is a disease caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that destroys the body's immune system. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, infected blood transfusion, sharing needles/syringes, and from an infected mother to her baby.

Q15: What are the symptoms of AIDS, and how is it diagnosed?

Answer: HIV infection shows symptoms after 8-10 years, including persistent fever, weight loss, chronic diarrhea, skin rashes, and opportunistic infections. It is diagnosed by ELISA and Western Blot tests.

Q16: What causes Rabies, and what is its most distinct symptom?

Answer: Rabies is caused by the Rabies virus, transmitted through the bite of infected animals (dogs, monkeys, cats, etc.). Its most distinct symptom is hydrophobia (extreme fear of water).

Q17: What is Cancer, and what are some of its causes?

Answer: Cancer is the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells, forming malignant tumors. Causes include tobacco consumption, alcoholism, lack of fiber in diet, excessive junk food, obesity, lack of exercise, and heredity.

Q18: List some common symptoms of Cancer.

Answer: Symptoms of cancer include chronic cough, hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, unexplained lumps, unexplained weight loss, chronic fever, persistent headache, change in bowel habits, and abnormal bleeding.

Q19: What is Diabetes, and what causes it?

Answer: Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce or effectively use insulin, leading to high blood sugar. Causes include heredity, obesity, lack of physical exercise, mental stress, and excessive consumption of sugar/refined carbohydrates.

Q20: What are the warning signs of Diabetes?

Answer: Warning signs of Diabetes include frequent urination at night, increased thirst, increased hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, fatigue, and slow healing of wounds.

Q21: What causes Heart Diseases (Heart Attack), and what are its symptoms?

Answer: Heart diseases are caused by factors like smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, mental stress, heredity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Symptoms include severe chest pain, pain in shoulders/neck/arms, cramps in hands, tremors, breathlessness, sweating, and uneasiness.

Q22: Why is the misuse of antibiotics dangerous?

Answer: Misuse of antibiotics (taking without prescription, for viral infections, or stopping prematurely) leads to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, making future infections harder to treat. It can also cause side effects like nausea and dysentery.

Q23: What are 'Generic Medicines' and why are they cheaper?

Answer: Generic medicines are produced and distributed without patent, making them equivalent to branded medicines in quality and effectiveness but significantly cheaper. Their lower cost is due to no research and development expenses.

Q24: How does a healthy lifestyle help in preventing diseases?

Answer: A healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, adequate sleep, regular exercise, avoiding addictions, stress management, hygiene) strengthens the immune system, maintains body functions, and reduces the risk of both infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Q25: What is the importance of Blood Donation?

Answer: Blood donation is vital as it saves lives of patients needing blood for surgeries, accidents, cancer treatment, or blood disorders. It also stimulates the donor's body to produce new blood, which is beneficial for their health.

Q26: What is Organ Donation, and what is its significance?

Answer: Organ donation is the act of donating organs (e.g., kidneys, heart, liver, eyes) after death to save or improve the lives of others suffering from organ failure. It gives recipients a second chance at life and significantly improves their quality of life.

Q27: How does water contamination contribute to the spread of diseases?

Answer: Water contamination by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) from sewage or infected sources is a major mode of transmission for diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, as these pathogens enter the body through contaminated drinking water.

Q28: What is the role of mosquitoes in spreading diseases?

Answer: Mosquitoes act as vectors, transmitting pathogens from an infected person to a healthy person through their bites. For example, female Anopheles mosquitoes transmit malaria, and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes transmit dengue virus.

Q29: How does maintaining personal hygiene help prevent diseases?

Answer: Maintaining personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing, bathing, and keeping surroundings clean, helps to remove or reduce pathogens from the body and environment, thereby preventing their transmission and reducing the risk of infectious diseases.

Q30: What is the significance of vaccination in preventing infectious diseases?

Answer: Vaccination introduces weakened or inactive forms of pathogens (or their components) into the body, stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies without causing the disease. This provides immunity, protecting individuals from future infections and helping to control the spread of diseases in the community.