Infectious Diseases and Disease

Processes
HCS 1100
SLO 1.1
 Disease Terminology

 Disease may be defined as abnormality

of the structure or function of a part,
organ, or system.

 Disease may be of known or unknown

causes and may show marked variation
in severity and effects on an individual
Predisposing Causes of Disease

Predisposing causes may

increase the probability of a
person’s becoming ill
Age Tissues degenerate with age. Some diseases are more
common in younger adults and children
Gender Men are more likely to have early heart disease, women
are more likely to develop adult diabetes and
autoimmune diseases
Heredity Some people inherit a ‘tendency’ to get particular
diseases such as diabetes, allergies and certain forms of
cancer
Living -not getting enough sleep, poor diet, little exercise, drug
Conditions and alcohol abuse.
-overcrowding and poor sanitation help the spread of
disease
Emotional -stress and anxiety of everyday life can affect the body
Disturbance
Physical and - Injuries that cause burns, cuts, crushing damage to
Chemical tissues and fractures can increase the chances of
damage infection
- Exposure to radiation, chemical toxins, pollutants
Pre-existing - Having chronic disease such as high blood pressure or
Illness diabetes increases a person’s chances of getting
another disease
 Etiology

The study of the cause of any

disease or the theory of its
origin
 Diseases are often classified on the
basis of severity and duration

 Acute – these diseases are relatively severe

but usually last a short time

 Chronic – these diseases are often less severe

but are likely to be continuous or recurring for
long periods of time

 Subacute- these diseases are intermediate

between acute and chronic
 Epidemiology

 The study of diseases in populations

 These scientists collect information
on a disease’s geographical
distribution and its tendency to
appear in one gender, age group or
race more or less frequently than
another.
 Epidemic and Pandemic

Epidemic – when many people in a

given region acquire a certain
disease at the same time
Examples: epidemics of influenza or
in the past epidemics of small pox
and bubonic plague
Small Pox

Bubonic Plague
 Pandemic

Pandemic – a disease that is

prevalent thoughout an entire
country or continent or the world
as a whole
Examples: AIDS and H1N1
Pandemics