DISEASES
CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
TYPES OF DISEASES
VECTORS AND THE SPREAD OF PATHOGENIC DISEASES
THE MOSQUITO: LIFE CYCLE
THE MOSQUITO: ROLE AS A VECTOR
THE MOSQUITO: DISEASES TRANSMITTED
THE MOSQUITO: VECTOR CONTROL MEASURES
TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF DISEASES
PHYSIOLOGICAL DISEASES: DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION
PHYSIOLOGICAL DISEASES: CONTROL MEASURES
IMPLICATIONS OF DISEASE: SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
INTRODUCTION
A disease is a condition that impairs the normal functioning of cells, tissues or organs and it leads to the health of an
organism being damaged.
Diseases can be classified my their mode of transmission. Diseases that are infectious or passed from person to
person are said to be communicable diseases for e.g. pathogenic diseases. Alternatively, diseases that are not passed
from person to person are termed as non-communicable diseases e.gs. deficiency, physiological, hereditary diseases.
There are four main types of diseases:- pathogenic, deficiency, hereditary and physiological.
TYPES OF DISEASES
VECTORS AND THE SPREAD OF PATHOGENIC DISEASES
A vector is an organism that carries pathogens in or
on its body.
Vectors transmits the pathogen from 1 person to
another and is usually unharmed by pathogen.
Examples: houseflies (gastroenteritis), rats
(leptospirosis), fleas (bubonic plague) and mosquitos
(malaria, dengue, chik V etc.).
THE MOSQUITO: LIFE CYCLE
Mosquitos undergo complete metamorphosis ( i.e. growing
from young to adult mosquito in 4 distinct stages).
Stages: (1) egg, (2) larva, (3) pupa, (4) adult or imago.
THE MOSQUITO: LIFE CYCLE
1. Egg: adult female lays eggs in protected areas that hold
water when it rains. Eggs float on water’s surface.
2. Larva: hatches from egg ; also known as the
feeding/growing stage. Larvae live in water where
they hang from the surface and breathe air through
breathing tubes.
3. Pupa: develops from larva; also known as the non-
feeding stage. Larval tissue re-organizes into adult
tissue. Pupa live in water and hang from the water’s
surface where they breathe through 2 breathing tubes.
4. Adult/Imago: emerges from pupa; is the flying and
reproducing stage. Adults feed on plant nectar and
sugars. After mating, females require a blood meal to
mature her eggs before laying. This blood meal is
obtained from humans. Adults live in and around human
residences where they rest in cool, dark areas during the
day, and fly and feed in the evenings.
THE MOSQUITO: ROLE AS A VECTOR
Pathogens transmitted by mosquitos have 2 hosts: Humans (primary host) and mosquitoes
(secondary/intermediate host).
Pathogens cause disease to their primary host while their secondary host remains unharmed.
If the blood meal obtained by the female mosquito contains pathogens, these pass through her intestinal walls and
migrate to her salivary glands where they multiply and remain throughout her lifetime.
After laying one batch of eggs, she requires another blood meal to mature a subsequent batch. Thus, each time she
bites someone to obtain blood, she transmits the pathogens to that person as she injects saliva into the blood to
prevent clotting.
Mosquitoes serve as reservoirs whereby the pathogens multiply and continually spread. As such, mosquitoes
ensure the survival and transmission of these pathogens.
THE MOSQUITO: DISEASES TRANSMITTED
The Anopheles spp. (mosquito) transmits the protozoan called Plasmodium
which causes malaria while the Aedes spp. mosquito transmits the viruses that
causes dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya.
Malaria Symptoms:- recurrent attacks of suddenly feeling cold & shivering,
followed by high fever and sweating that lasts hours. Periodic attacks of high
fever and weakness can continue for years. Malaria can be fatal. Anopheles spp.
Yellow Fever Symptoms:- fever, headache, aching joints (especially back
muscles), nausea and vomiting, The toxic phase, which occur in some persons,
causes yellow skin and eyes, bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth and
internally, liver and kidney failure. Yellow fever can be fatal.
Aedes spp.
THE MOSQUITO: DISEASES TRANSMITTED
Dengue Symptoms:- high fever that last for several days,
severe headaches, pain behind eyes, severe joint and
muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, skin rash. Hemorrhagic
dengue can result in bleeding from the nose, gums,
beneath skin and internally which can be fatal.
Chikungunya:- Symptoms similar to dengue with joint
pain which can last for months, particularly affecting
wrists, hands, ankles and feet.
THE MOSQUITO: VECTOR CONTROL MEASURES
To control any vector, its life cycle must be fully understood to select the stage or stages control would easiest and the
most effective.
MOSQUITO STAGE CONTROL MEASURES
Larvae and Pupae Draining all areas of standing water.
Adding insecticides to breeding grounds.
Introducing fish e.g., Tilapia into breeding areas to feed (biological control).
Spraying oil, kerosene or non-toxic lecithins onto still water breeding grounds (prevent
breathing).
Adult /Imago Removing dense vegetation to reduce protection for adults during daylight hrs.
Spraying insecticides to kill adults.
TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF DISEASES
The aim of treating a disease is to relieve the
symptoms experienced by infected persons and cure
the disease if possible. The purpose of controlling a
disease is to prevent further development and
spread of the diseases so that incidence in the
population is gradually reduced. Treating a disease is
always one method to control it. The ultimate goal of
treating and controlling any disease is to totally
eradicate it from the human population.
TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF DISEASES
Table 2 : Methods used to treat the 4 types of diseases.
TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF DISEASES
Table 3 : Methods used to
control the 4 types of disease.
PHYSIOLOGICAL DISEASES: DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION
Diabetes is a disease where blood glucose levels cannot
properly be regulated.There are 2 types:
I. Type I : caused by pancreas not producing any insulin. It is
treated by regular injections of insulin. Blood glucose levels of
people with this type can suddenly drop too low, where in such
case, an injection of glucagon is administered.
II. Type II: caused by the pancreas not producing sufficient
insulin or by the body cells not responding to insulin. It is
usually treated by taking tablets to lower blood glucose levels.
PHYSIOLOGICAL DISEASES: DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a
condition where the pressure of the blood in the
arteries is higher than the norm. Factors that
contribute to hypertension include:- obesity / being
overweight, smoking, too much salt or fat in
diet, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of
physical exercise, stress. Treatment for this disease
involves taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
PHYSIOLOGICAL DISEASES: CONTROL MEASURES
Diabetes and hypertension can both be controlled by consuming a healthy, balanced, diet and regular exercise.
DISEASE EFFECTS OF EXERCISE
Diabetes Regular-moderate aerobic exercise e.gs., walking, swimming, aerobics. Exercise will increase
muscular activity and lower blood glucose levels by increasing cellular respiration in muscles. It will
also reduce obesity, improve circulation and maintain fitness.
Hypertension Plenty regular-moderate aerobic exercise at least 30 mins daily. Exercise will reduce obesity,
stress, improve circulation and maintain fitness.
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF DISEASE
Diseases within the human population can result in:-
1. Loss of earnings as sick individuals are unable to work.
2. Businesses become less productive due to a reduction in labour hours; this will ultimately lead to a reduced
economy.
3. Demands on health services will rise as sick/infected persons seek treatment.
4. Overall, human resources will be lost and standards of living will be reduced.
Diseases within livestock and agricultural crops can result in:-
1. Lost/decreased food production.
2. Loss of income for farmers; this will lead to a reduced economy especially if produce was for export.
3. Decreased food availability, increased food prices on local market and reduced standards of living of those whose
livelihoods depend on agriculture.
