Home Science Notes for Class 10

     Q. Differentiate between communicable and non-communicable disease.

      Ans : Communicable disease are also known as infectious diseases. They spread from one place to another, that is, a healthy person may catch it from a patient.A disease is said to be communicable if it spreads from one place to the other.A disease is said to be non-communicable if it does not spread from one person to another. 

    

    Q. What are the causes of communicable diseases?

     Ans: Communicable disease are caused by very tiny organisms called germs and parasites. These germs are present everywhere in air, water, soil, etc.When germs enter a healthy body through infected food and water, air, contact or insects, they multiply and upset the normal functioning of the body, thus, producing the symptoms of the diseases.

     Incubation Period: We have noted above that the germs take some time to grow and produce the disease in body. The gap of time between the entry of germs into the body and appearance of symptoms of the disease is called the Incubation Period.

Q. How is AIDS virus spread?

     Ans: The AIDS virus is spread by –

     1.       Sexual contact with an infected person.
2.       Exchange of infected body fluids, e.g., blood transfusions.
3.       Use of infected needles for injections, or at birth from infected mother to child during pregnancy or at birth.

      We must remember that AIDS cannot spread by –

     1.       Shaking hands.
2.       Kissing on the cheeks
3.       Using the same toilet seat.
4.       Standing close to the infected person.
5.       Through the air, that is, sneezing, coughing, etc.
6.       Through cups, glasses, plates
7.       Water or food.

Q. What is the meaning of HIV? What do you know about AIDS?

     Ans: HIV stands for Human Immuno Deficiency Virus. It is caused by a virus that attacks the body’s natural defense system.          

                 A person infected with HIV virus can transmit the disease to other people. When HIV virus has completely destroyed the person’s defense system – AIDS sets in. AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. HIV/AIDS is a highly communicable disease that is highly debilitating. It affects a person’s productivity and has no cure. Therefore in order to protect ourselves we must know how this disease spreads.