How Diseases Spread
This mode of transmission involves touching an infected person, such as through handshakes.
What is direct contact?
This factor refers to more people in a given area, making it easier for diseases to spread.
What is population density?
These cells attack and destroy pathogens in the body.
What are white blood cells (WBCs)?
Vaccines contain these to trigger an immune response without causing disease.
What are weakened or inactive pathogens?
This occurs when bacteria evolve to survive antibiotic treatments.
What is antibiotic resistance?
This occurs when coughing or sneezing releases droplets into the air, potentially spreading disease.
What is airborne transmission?
Lack of clean water and handwashing facilities can lead to increased disease spread. Name this factor.
What is poor hygiene and sanitation?
These proteins recognize and neutralize invaders.
What are antibodies?
This term describes community protection when a large portion of the population is immune.
What is herd immunity (in dense populations)?
This type of resistance occurs when insects survive repeated pesticide applications (similar to antibiotic resistance, only with pesticides).
What is pesticide resistance?
Consuming infected substances like Salmonella or E. coli can spread disease through this method.
What is contaminated food and water transmission?
The ability for pathogens to quickly spread worldwide is due to this factor.
What is global travel?
This model describes how antibodies bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction.
What is the lock and key model?
This vaccine is needed annually due to the rapid mutation of the virus.
What is the flu shot (and now Covid, too)?
This process explains the rise of superbugs due to genetic variation and selective pressure.
What is natural selection?
This type of transmission involves mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas carrying diseases.
What is vector transmission?
Warm, humid conditions that support pathogen survival are part of this factor.
What is climate and environment?
This step involves white blood cells detecting a foreign antigen.
What is detection and specific antibody production?
This is why a vaccine can protect against viruses like COVID-19.
How does a vaccine stimulate an immune response?
Doctors can help slow down antibiotic resistance by doing this.
What is prescribing antibiotics only when necessary/not over-prescribing antibiotics?
Touching objects with infectious agents is known as this type of contamination.
Elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk due to this factor.
What are weakened immune systems?
This is how the body gets long-lasting immunity, occurring when the body produces its own antibodies.
What are vaccines or previous infections?
These types of cells have antigens, or "name tags."
What are ALL CELLS?!
Mutations increase this quality in pathogens, making them stronger and more dangerous.
What is VIRULENCE?