COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Diseases which spread from a sick person to a healthy person through food, water, air, insect bites or by direct contact are called communicable diseases. They are caused by microorganisms ( pathogens ) like bacteria, fungi virus and protozoa.

Some common types are given below

1.    Air borne Diseases : They are also called droplet infection as they spread through air. A diseased person carries germs of these diseases in his nasal passage, throat and mouth. Some examples are cold, flu, tuberculosis, measles and diphtheria.

2.   Water borne Diseases: They spread through contaminated water. Examples are typhoid, dysentery, cholera and intestinal infections.

3.   Contagious Diseases: These diseases are transmitted by direct contact with the patient. Examples are conjunctivitis and scabies. Sharing things like drinking glasses, towels and combs can also spread the infection.

4.   Vector borne Diseases: Diseases caused by microbes carrying organisms are called vector borne diseases. The insects and animals that carry disease causing germs are called vectors, such as flies, mosquitoes, fleas, pigs, dogs, ticks, mites etc.

Some of the diseases and their vectors are listed below :

DISEASE	VECTOR	PATHOGEN ( Disease Causing Agent )
Malaria	Anopheles mosquito	Protozoa
Dengue	Acdes mosquito	Virus ( DENV )
Typhoid	Housefly	Bacterium
Amoebic Dysentry	Housefly	Protozoan
Plague	Rat Flea	Bacterium
Rabies	Infect Dog	Virus

FIRST AID / MEDICAL AID

FIRST AID

The immediate help provided to a person in an emergency is called first aid.

First Aid can generally be provided in case of cuts and burns. The most important thing in case of any emergency is to stay calm.

First aid for deep cuts:

In case of deep cut, first effort should be to stop the bleeding. For this the injured part should be raised and a pad of clean cloth should be pressed on the wound. After that, wound should be washed with an antiseptic lotion. Apply an antiseptic cream and tie a clean bandage over the wounded part.

First aid for bruises:

Bruises are the blue or black marks formed as a result of injuries under the skin. To reduce the swelling cold water or ice pack should be used on the affected area.

First aid for burns:

Burns are classified under 3 degrees

1)   First Degree Burn: It results in just reddening of the skin. Just put the burnt part under running cold water and you will fine.

2)    Second Degree Burn: In this case burn results in formation of blisters. You should immerse the burnt part in the cold water. Do not puncture the blisters. If it gets punctured was the area with water and cover it with clean bandage.

3)   Third Degree Burn: In this case burn results in charring. Do not pull of any clothing sticking to the burnt area. Jus cover it with cloth and go the doctor immediately.

Personal Hygiene and Health

What do you mean by personal hygiene ?
Its all about keeping yourself clean by following certain good habits.
All you have to do to keep yourself clean is :

1)  Bathe regularly to keep skin free from germs
2) Wear clean clothes, especially socks and undergarments
3) Wash your hands with soap before and after your meals, after using toilet, after touching any contaminated objects like dustbin and surely after playing with animals.
4) Wash your hair regularly with soap or shampoo
5) Massage your hair and scalp with oil regularly to improve blood circulation
6) Comb your hair daily
7) Keep your nails trimmed
8) Eat nutritious, balanced diet for shiny hair and healthy skin

ORAL Care
Oral care involves keeping mouth, teeth and gums healthy. Try to follow the following to keep your teeth and gums clean :

1) Brush your teeth twice a day
2) Use dental floss to remove food particles stuck between teeth
3) Eat crunchy fresh vegetables and fruits which help in scrubbing your teeth and gums
4) Make cheese, curd and milk part of your daily diet as they are rich in calcium
5) Avoid excess of sweets and chocolates

EYE Care

You should take care of your eyes too. You can protect them from dust and disease by following the below mentioned simple steps

1) Do not rub your eyes. Splash them with clean water, 2 to 3 times a day
2) Do not read in dim light or in moving vehicle.
3) Maintain proper distance while working on computer or watch TV. Do take a break from work every 20 minutes
4) Do wear sunglasses when out in bright sunlight
5) Do not see an eclipse with naked eyes
6) Do not use any medicine on your own when it comes to eye care
7) Visit an eye specialist just in case your eyes have any problems.

Take care and Stay healthy

What is DNA ?

DNA – Structure
Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid
Nucliec acids are polymer of nucleotides.
DNA and RNA are the 02 types of nucleic acids found in living systems. DNA acts as genetic material in most of the organisms.
Genetic Material – A substance that stores genetic information, transfer these to next generation and makes to express itself in the off springs.
Properties
1.    Should self replicate
2.    Can undergo mutations
3.    Must be located in the chromosomes
4.    Must have information to control the synthesis of enzymes and proteins with cell
Structure
DNA is a long polymer of dexoyribonucleotides. Its length is defined as number of nucleotides also called base pairs.
e.g. E. coli has 4.6 x 106 bP
Bacteriophage has 48502bP
Haploid content of human DNA is 43.3 x 109 bP
				Nitrogen base
Nucleotides  -----------------_-----  Pentose Sugar ( Ribose Deoxyribose )
				Phosphate group
					Adenine
			Purines
Nitrogen base					Guanine
					Cytosine
			Pyrimidines
					Thymine
					Uracil
Image
Base			Nucleoside			Nucleotide			NA
Purines
Aclenine			Adenosine			Adexylate			RNA
			Dexoyadenosine			Deoxyadenylate			DNA
Guanine			Guanosine			guanylate			RNA
			Deoxyguanosine			Deoxyguanyrate			DNA
Pyrimidines
Cytosine			Cytidine			Cytidylate			RNA
			Deoxydytidine			Deoxycytidylate			DNA
Thymine			Thymidine			Thymidylate			DNA
Uracil			Uridine			Uridylate			RNA
Phosphate group is linked to 5' -OH of nucleoside through phosphodiester linkage and corresponding nucleotide is formed.
2 nucleotides are linked through 3'-5' phosphodiester linkage to for dinucleotid. Similarly more nucleotides are joined to form poly nucleotide chain.
This chain has free phosphate mostly at 5' end of sugar and other end of polymer the ribose has free 3' OH group.
Sugar and Phosphate form the backbone of the chain while nitrogenous bases project from the backbone.
Image
DNA was first identified by Friedrich Meisher in 1869 and named "nuclein"
In 1953 James Watson cand Francis Crick based on X ray diffraction data produced by Maurice Wilkins and Rosaline Franklin proposed double
Helix model of the structure of DNA
Chargaff's observation that concentration of thymine was always equat o that of Adenine and concentration of Guanine was equat to Cytosine
In double Helix structure 02 polynucleotide chains are coiled around one another in a spiral with the help of hydrogen bonds between nitrogen
bases of opposite strands. The 2 ploynucleotide chains are complimentry to one another if sequence of bases on 1 strand is know the sequence
on other strand can be predicted.

FOOD and HEALTH

FOOD AND HEALTH

HEALTH -  It is a stat of complete Physical mental and social well being.

For good physical health we need nutritious food. Nutrients are the substances which body needs to grow and remain healthy.

There are 5 types of Nutrients in our food.

NUTRIENTS

1)      Carbohydrates                   ------  Energy giving food

2)      Fats                                          ------  Energy giving food

3)      Proteins                               ------  Body Building food

4)      Vitamins                              ------- Protective food

5)      Minerals                              ------- Protective food

NUTRIENTs and their  SOURCES

1)      Carbohydrates  -  Wheat, Rice and Potato

2)      Fats                        -  Oil, Ghee, Butter and Nuts

3)      Proteins               -  Pulses, Meat, Fish and Nuts

4)      Vitamins              - Vegetables and Fruits

5)      Minerals              - Milk, Vegetables and Fruits

NUTRIENTs and their  FUNCTIONS

1)      Carbohydrates  -  Gives Energy

2)      Fats                        -  Gives Energy

3)      Proteins               -  Growth and Tissue Repair

4)      Vitamins              - Protection from Disease

5)      Minerals              - Protection from Disease

Apart from above mentioned nutrients water and roughage plays an important part in our diet.

Importance of water in our diet :

1)      All the chemical changes taking place in our body needs water

2)      It is needed for digestion of food and removal of waste

3)      It is essential for maintaining body temperature

Importance of water in our diet :

1)      It cannot be digested but adds bulk to the food and prevents constipation. Fruits and raw vegetables are good source of it.

BALANCED DIET

To remain healthy we should eat balanced diet. All types of required nutrients from all the food groups make a balanced diet.

A balanced diet depends on the following :

1)      Person’s age – Growing Children and teenagers need more proteins and carbohydrates compared to old people

2)      Gender  -  Pregnant women and feeding mothers need more nutrients. Females need less carbohydrates than males.

3)      Type of Physical activity a person does – If anyone is engaged in physical work then he/she needs more carbohydrates than a person doing desk job

OPTIMUM DAILY CONSUMPTION OF NUTRIENTs

1)      Fats and Oils                                      -  Use Sparingly

2)      Milk and Cheese group                 – 3 servings

3)      Meat, Eggs and Nuts group         – 2 servings

4)      Vegetable group                              - 3 to 5 servings

5)      Fruit group                                          - 2 servings

6)      Cereal group                                      - 6 servings

7)      Water                                                   - 8 servings