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Diseases: Types, Causes, and Transmission
Bacterial Diseases
| Disease |
Causative Agent |
Key Characteristics / Mode of Transmission |
| Botulism |
Clostridium species |
A specific food-borne intoxication (illness from toxins, not infection). |
| Cholera |
Bacteria |
Waterborne disease. |
| Dental Caries |
Bacteria (from mouth interacting with food) |
Caused by bacterial interaction with carbohydrate food particles. |
| Diphtheria |
Bacteria |
Preventable by the D.P.T. vaccine. |
| Leprosy |
Bacteria |
Treatable with Rifampicin. |
| Plague |
Bacteria |
Spreads through flea bites. |
| Pneumococcal Diseases |
Pneumococcal bacteria |
Cause pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis. Preventable by PCV vaccine. |
| Salmonellosis |
Salmonella bacilli |
A cause of general food poisoning. |
| Tetanus |
Bacteria |
Also known as Lockjaw. Transmitted through wounds. Preventable by D.P.T. vaccine. |
| Tuberculosis (T.B.) |
Mycobacterium tuberculosis |
Airborne transmission. Diagnosed by the Montoux Test. Treatable with Rifampicin. Preventable by BCG vaccine. |
| Typhoid |
Bacteria |
Waterborne disease that affects the intestines. |
| Whooping Cough (Pertussis) |
Bacteria |
A distinct disease; preventable by the D.P.T. vaccine. |
| E. coli Infection |
E. coli |
A cause of general food poisoning. |
| Syphilis |
Bacteria |
Transmitted through contact. |
Viral Diseases
| Disease |
Causative Agent |
Key Characteristics / Mode of Transmission |
| Dengue |
Virus |
Transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. |
| Influenza (Flu) |
Virus |
Clarified as viral, not bacterial. |
| Jaundice (Hepatitis A) |
Virus |
Waterborne disease. |
| Measles |
Virus |
– |
| Mumps |
Virus |
– |
| Polio |
Virus |
– |
| Rabies |
Virus |
– |
| Smallpox |
Virus |
– |
| Yellow Fever |
Virus |
Transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. |
Protozoan & Other Diseases
| Disease |
Causative Agent |
Key Characteristics / Mode of Transmission |
| Malaria |
Protozoan parasite |
Transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. |
| Filaria |
– |
Caused by mosquitoes. |
| Beri-Beri |
Deficiency |
Caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B. |
| Scabies |
Mite |
Classified as an infestation. |
Vaccines and Prevention
| Vaccine |
Protects Against |
Key Facts |
| BCG |
Tuberculosis (T.B.) |
Should be administered to a newborn just after birth. |
| D.P.T. |
Diphtheria, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Tetanus |
Combination vaccine for three bacterial diseases. |
| Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) |
Pneumococcal Diseases (e.g., pneumonia, meningitis) |
Important in India; helps reduce antibiotic use, combating drug resistance. The claim that vaccines have “no side effects” is incorrect. |
Medicines and Drugs
| Drug / Class |
Type / Use |
Key Facts |
| Antibiotics |
|
Drugs that act against bacteria. |
| Chloramphenicol |
Antibiotic |
A broad-spectrum antibiotic drug. |
| Rifampicin |
Antimicrobial |
Suitable for treating both Tuberculosis and Leprosy. |
| Sulpha Drugs |
Antibiotic class |
Effective against bacterial diseases. Cibazole is an example. Penicillin, Streptomycin, and Aspirin are not Sulpha Drugs. |
| Quinine |
Antimalarial |
Used to treat malaria. |
| Aspirin |
Analgesic |
A pain reliever, not an antibiotic. |
Public Health Issues
- Multi-Drug Resistance in India:
- Primary Reasons: Taking incorrect doses of antibiotics; using antibiotics in livestock farming; multiple chronic diseases in people.
- Not a Primary Reason: Genetic predisposition.
- Shallow Handpump Water:
- Can be contaminated, leading to waterborne diseases like Cholera, Typhoid, and Jaundice.
- Fluorosis is caused by excessive fluoride and may not be caused by a shallow handpump.
Other Disease Classifications
- Autoimmune Disease: Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Genetic Disease: Tuberculosis is not genetic; it is infectious.
- Mental Disease: Schizophrenia.
- Modes of Transmission Summary:
- Airborne: Tuberculosis (T.B.)
- Waterborne: Cholera, Typhoid, Jaundice
- Contact: Syphilis
- Through Wounds: Tetanus
- Vector-Borne (Mosquito): Malaria, Dengue, Yellow Fever, Filaria
- Vector-Borne (Flea): Plague
Know More About Bacterial Diseases:
