Health: The Ultimate Treasure

Given: Five diseases — Cold and flu, Typhoid, Diabetes, Asthma, Chickenpox.

Concept: Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens (viruses, bacteria, etc.) and can spread from one person to another. Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens and cannot spread from person to person.

Classification:

| Communicable Diseases | Non-Communicable Diseases |
|---|---|
| Cold and flu (caused by virus) | Diabetes (lifestyle/hormonal) |
| Typhoid (caused by bacteria) | Asthma (environmental/genetic) |
| Chickenpox (caused by virus) | |

Answer:
- Communicable: Cold and flu, Typhoid, Chickenpox
- Non-communicable: Diabetes, Asthma

Correct Option: (b) (ii) and (iii)

Justification:
- Typhoid is caused by the bacterium *Salmonella typhi* — it is a communicable disease.
- Measles is caused by a virus — it is a communicable disease.
- Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition triggered by environmental and genetic factors — it is non-communicable.
- Diabetes is caused by hormonal imbalance, unhealthy lifestyle, and genetic factors — it is non-communicable.

Therefore, the non-communicable diseases are Asthma (ii) and Diabetes (iii). The correct answer is (b).

Given: A flu outbreak in school; some students are absent, others are attending school while showing symptoms.

Concept: Flu (influenza) is a communicable disease caused by a virus and spreads through air droplets, direct contact, and contaminated surfaces.

(i) Immediate actions the school should take:
- Send students showing symptoms (coughing, sneezing, fever) home immediately and advise them to consult a doctor.
- Inform parents about the outbreak and advise them to keep sick children at home.
- Sanitise classrooms, desks, door handles, and common areas regularly.
- Ensure proper ventilation in classrooms.
- Arrange for hand-washing stations with soap and sanitiser.
- Educate students about covering their mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing (cough etiquette).
- Consider temporarily suspending school if the outbreak is severe.

(ii) How to respond to a symptomatic benchmate in a considerate way:
- Gently and kindly tell the classmate: *"I think you might be feeling unwell. You should let the teacher know so you can rest and feel better soon."*
- Avoid making the classmate feel embarrassed or isolated.
- Inform the class teacher politely so that proper care can be arranged.
- Offer to help the classmate catch up on missed work later.
- Maintain a caring and empathetic attitude — illness is not the person's fault.

(iii) How to protect yourself and others:
- Wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating and after touching shared surfaces.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Do not share personal items like water bottles, handkerchiefs, or stationery.
- Maintain distance from students who are visibly coughing or sneezing.
- Ensure good ventilation by keeping windows open.
- Get vaccinated against influenza if not already done.
- Boost immunity by eating nutritious food and getting adequate sleep.

Given: Family trip to a city where malaria is prevalent.

Concept: Malaria is a communicable disease caused by the protozoan *Plasmodium*, spread through the bite of the female *Anopheles* mosquito (a vector).

(i) Precautions before, during, and after the trip:

Before the trip:
- Consult a doctor and ask about anti-malarial medicines (prophylaxis) to take before travelling.
- Pack mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, and full-sleeved clothing.
- Check the health advisory for the destination.
- Get any recommended vaccinations.

During the trip:
- Use mosquito repellent creams or sprays on exposed skin.
- Sleep under a mosquito net, especially at night.
- Wear full-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers, particularly during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- Avoid stagnant water near the place of stay.
- Drink only clean, safe water and eat properly cooked food.
- Take anti-malarial medicines as prescribed by the doctor.

After the trip:
- Monitor health for any symptoms like high fever, chills, headache, or body ache.
- If symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately and mention the travel history.
- Complete the full course of any prescribed medicines.

(ii) Explaining the importance of mosquito nets/repellents to a sibling:
- *"Malaria spreads when a female Anopheles mosquito bites us and injects the Plasmodium parasite into our blood. Mosquito nets create a physical barrier so mosquitoes cannot reach us while we sleep. Repellents keep mosquitoes away from our skin. Using these simple tools can protect us from getting very sick with high fever and chills. It is much easier to use a net than to suffer from malaria!"*

(iii) Consequences of ignoring health advisories:
- Travellers may get infected with malaria and suffer from high fever, chills, anaemia, and in severe cases, organ failure or death.
- They may unknowingly carry the disease back home and spread it to others.
- Delayed treatment can make the disease more serious and harder to cure.
- It puts additional burden on local healthcare systems.
- Drug-resistant strains of malaria may develop if medicines are not taken properly.

Given: Uncle has started smoking due to peer pressure.

Concept: Tobacco/smoking is a harmful substance that causes serious non-communicable diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Peer pressure is a common reason young people start smoking.

(i) What to say to the uncle (politely and respectfully):
- *"Uncle, I really care about you and your health. I have read that smoking can cause serious diseases like lung cancer and heart problems. I know you want to fit in with your friends, but true friends would not want you to harm yourself. There are many other ways to bond with friends — like playing sports or going for walks together. Please think about your health and our family. We need you healthy and happy with us for a long time."*
- Offer to help him find resources to quit smoking, such as a doctor's advice or a helpline.
- Share facts about the harmful effects of tobacco in a calm, caring manner.

(ii) What to do if a friend offers a cigarette at a party:
- Firmly but politely say: *"No, thank you. I do not smoke. It is not good for health and I have made a personal choice to stay away from it."*
- Do not feel pressured — it is perfectly fine to say no.
- If the friend insists, walk away or change the subject.
- Remember: saying 'No' to harmful substances is a sign of strength and self-respect, not weakness.

(iii) How schools can help prevent students from harmful habits:
- Conduct regular awareness programmes, seminars, and workshops on the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
- Invite doctors and health professionals to speak to students.
- Include health education as part of the curriculum.
- Create a supportive environment where students can talk about peer pressure without fear.
- Encourage students to participate in sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities to keep them engaged positively.
- Display anti-smoking and anti-drug posters in school.
- Train teachers and counsellors to identify and help students who may be at risk.
- Enforce strict no-smoking and no-drug policies on school premises.

Given: Saniya claims antibiotics can cure any infection.

Concept: Antibiotics are medicines that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. They are not effective against viral infections. Overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance.

Questions Vinita can ask Saniya:

1. *"Do you know that antibiotics only work against bacterial infections? If you have a viral infection like the common cold, flu, or COVID-19, antibiotics will have no effect at all — so how can they cure 'any' infection?"*

2. *"Have you heard about antibiotic resistance? If we use antibiotics unnecessarily or incorrectly, bacteria can become resistant to them. Then, even when we really need antibiotics for a serious bacterial infection, they may not work. Does that not worry you?"*

3. *"Did you know that antibiotics also kill the good bacteria in our body that protect us from infections? So taking them unnecessarily can actually make us more vulnerable to diseases."*

4. *"What about diseases caused by fungi or parasites — do you think antibiotics would work against them too?"*

5. *"If antibiotics could cure everything, why do doctors still advise rest, fluids, and other medicines for viral infections like the flu?"*

Conclusion: Vinita should help Saniya understand that antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, must be taken only when prescribed by a doctor, in the correct dose and for the correct duration, and that misuse leads to the dangerous problem of antibiotic resistance.