Pathogens
Definition of Pathogen
A germ that was on the wrong path (bad germ)
How can pathogens enter the body?
Broken skin, mucous membranes (mouth, ears, eyes, and nose), blood
Direct vs indirect
What is the definition of Non-Communicable?
diseases not caused by infectious agents like pathogens/ you cannot catch it
What is the best way to prevent lung cancer?
Say no to cigarettes.
Can you catch asthma from another person? WHY?
No, because it is noncommunicable.
Name an example of an illness caused by a bacteria pathogen
Strep throat, pink eye, ear infections, and types of pneumonia.
What is a first line defense to pathogens? (Name 2)
Skin, hair in our nose, tears, saliva, mucus, stomach acid
What does it mean if a disease is chronic?
It is long term
What is a heart attack?
When plaque builds up into arteries causing a blockage.
Once you have diabetes, can you get rid of it?
No, it is a lifelong disease.
Name an illness caused by a fungi (pathogen)
ringworm, athlete's foot
What is an example of a second line defense? (Name 2)
White blood cells, vaccines, or antibodies
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
chronic NONCOMMUNICABLE disease which there is too much sugar in the blood.
Name a reason someone might have high blood pressure.
Poor diet, lack of exercise, or genetic
Why is the dab sneeze the most effective to prevent spread of droplets?
Uncovered sneeze: travels up to 20 feet at 100+ mph, lingers in the air for several minutes.
Dab sneeze: limits travel to inches, traps droplets, prevents contamination of hands.
Name an example of an illness caused by the pathogen: virus
Cold, Flu, Chicken Pox, Polio, Covid
What is a way to keep our bodies healthy to prevent pathogens?
What are allergies?
The body's overreaction to a substance.
What is the most common cancer in the US?
Skin Cancer
What is the average cost of lung cancer treatment in the first year after diagnosis? Which type of treatment carries the highest cost? What factors might influence cost?
Overall range: 60k-150k+
Type of treatment:
Surgery: $15,000–$40,000
Radiation therapy: $10,000–$50,000 (multiple sessions)
Factors:
Even with insurance:
Patients may pay $5,000–$30,000+ annually in deductibles, copays, and uncovered services.
Costs can be higher for those with high-deductible health plans or gaps in coverage (e.g., for genetic testing, second opinions, travel).
Chemotherapy: $30,000–$100,000+ annually
Targeted therapy or immunotherapy
Can cost $10,000–$20,000 per month
Some regimens exceed $200,000 per year
What is a protist in the context of a pathogen and how are they transmitted?
a protist refers to a disease-causing, single-celled eukaryotic organism. These parasitic protists can infect humans and other animals, often transmitted through contaminated water, insect bites, or poor sanitation.
What is the least amount of sleep that a college athlete requires in order to avoid getting sick, especially during peak training seasons?
7 hours.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a condition in which the small airways of the respiratory system become narrow. During an asthma attack it is hard to breathe. Symptoms are wheezing and coughing.
Which cancer causes the most deaths in America?
Lung Cancer
True or false: people under the age of 45 don't need to be checked for colon cancer, because that is the age when regular colonoscopies to screen for it are reccomended to start.
False: If there is strong family history or symptoms suggesting bowel issues, a colonoscopy is likely to be suggested.
In the U.S., colorectal cancer rates have nearly doubled among people aged 20–49 from the early 1990s to late 2010s. This trend has led to a lowering of screening age in the U.S., from 50 to 45 years, with recommendations to consider starting as early as 40 in some settings.
The steepest annual increases are seen in the 20–29 age group.
Incidence rates accelerated notably around 2012–2017, especially for non‑Hispanic White and Hispanic populations, with annual increase rates rising from ~1.3% to ~3%.
Younger generations are at much higher risk: for example, those born in 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to those born in 1950.
Younger individuals are often diagnosed at later stages, when treatment is more complex and survival chances decrease.