Topic Two (1.2): How can diseases be prevented?

Objectives for this topic

to identify ways in which the transmission of diseases can be reduced or prevented.

Introduction

In this topic, you will learn to research ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by treating water and using vaccines. You will start to consider different perspectives of different countries.

Working through your coursebook

Read through the following PowerPoint. For each mode of transmission, suggest a way that this could be prevented.

READ - Spreading and Preventing Disease (PowerPoint) Download READ - Spreading and Preventing Disease (PowerPoint)

Antiseptics and disinfectants are two substances which can be used to prevent infection. Find out how each one should be used to help prevent infection.

Watch the following videos that describe the different methods of preventing three infectious diseases and answer the questions.

WATCH - How we conquered the deadly small pox virus | TEDEd (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH - How to prevent malaria | Medical Aid Films (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH - How to prevent the flu (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH - A vaccine for malaria | Ground News (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH - Malaria is the deadliest disease in human history (YouTube) Links to an external site.

1. Why does the method of prevention vary in each case?
2. Which method is common in the prevention of small pox, the flu and now malaria?
3. Why was developing a vaccine against malaria so difficult?
4. Why should bed nets still be used by people who have been vaccinated?
5. One of the videos suggests chicken soup and vitamin D to treat flu symptoms. How reliable is this information? Can you confirm or disprove this by using a different source?

Some parts of the world do not have access to clean drinking water.

1. Research how water can be treated to make it safe to drink.
2. Remember to make a list of your sources and evaluate them.
3. What should you do to ensure that the information you have gathered is correct and safe to follow? Refer back to the support section in 1.1. to help you.

Have you received vaccines for any infectious diseases? If so, which ones? You may need to speak to you parent or guardian to get this information.

Many countries have vaccination programmes. Choose three different countries which have vaccination programmes and research the vaccines each one gives to children in the first 12 months of their life. Which vaccines are the same/different? What is the cause of these differences? What are the perspectives on vaccinations in each country?

Remember to keep a note of your references and consider their reliability. Think about whether you need to confirm the information you have found using a different site.