State some effects of pathogens

Pathogens enter our body through the air we breathe, the water we drink or the food we eat. They can also get transmitted by direct contact with an

infected person or carried through an animal. Microbial diseases that can spread from an infected person to a healthy person through air, water, food or physical contact are called communicable diseases. Examples of such diseases include cholera, common cold, chicken pox and tuberculosis.

The communicable diseases can occur and spread in the following ways:

1. By breathing of air containing microorganisms.
2. By taking infected food and water.
3. Through insect bites.
4. By sharing infected injection needles.
5. By physical contact with an infected person.

For example – common cold disease spreads by breathing air containing microorganisms.

Prevention of communicable diseases: Some of the methods for preventing the occurrence and spreading of communicable diseases are given below:

1. A person suffering from common cold should always cover his mouth and nose with a handkerchief while sneezing, so that microorganisms do not get into the air.
2. We should keep our food covered to protect it from getting infected by flies. We should also drink clean and safe water.
3. We should protect ourselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito nets over our beds while sleeping, by putting fine wire mesh on doors and windows, or by using mosquito repellent creams and devices.
4. We should make sure that only disposable syringes and needles are used for giving us injections.
5. We should avoid physical contact with an infected person, and not use his towel, clothes or bed.
6. Some of the diseases can be prevented by vaccination at proper time.