Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases are caused by microorganisms, sometimes called pathogens, that live in or on humans, animals or plants. These diseases are also termed communicable diseases because they can be transmitted from one living thing to another.
Can you think of 3 infectious diseases that teenagers regularly contract? |
Signs are evidence of disease that can be observed or measured by another person. For example: fever, change in skin color, altered breathing, abnormal pulse, etc. However, symptoms are evidenced only by the sick person. Examples include pain and shortness of breath. Symptoms are difficult to measure.
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After pathogens enter the body, they grow and reproduce and create toxins. Signs and symptoms are actually caused by the body’s immune response to infections. A fever is the primary signal that the immune system is working.
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