Class 5 Earth Alive Diseases

Learn about diseases. Understand types of diseases, causes, prevention, and deficiency diseases like scurvy, rickets, and anaemia.

 

What is a Disease?

A disease is when our body does not work properly.
When a person is sick, they may feel weak, tired, or unwell.

Diseases can affect our body and mind.
Some diseases are mild, but some can be serious.

Types of Diseases

There are two main types of diseases:

1. Communicable Diseases

These diseases spread from one person to another.

Examples:

  • Cholera
  • Typhoid
  • Measles
  • Tuberculosis

 

2. Non-Communicable Diseases

These diseases do not spread from person to person.

They are usually caused by:

  • Poor diet
  • Unhealthy lifestyle

Examples:

  • Diabetes
  • Anaemia
  • Obesity

Causes of Communicable Diseases

Communicable diseases are caused by germs like:

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses

These germs enter our body through:

  • Air
  • Water
  • Food
  • Insect bites

How Do Diseases Spread?

Through Air

Germs spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Through Food and Water

Dirty food and water can cause diseases like cholera.

Through Insects

Mosquitoes spread diseases like:

  • Malaria
  • Dengue

Through Contact

Touching infected people or their things can spread diseases.

 

Prevention of Diseases

We can stay healthy by following simple habits:

  • Wash hands before eating
  • Drink clean water
  • Keep surroundings clean
  • Avoid sick people
  • Cover mouth while coughing
  • Take vaccines

Importance of Vaccination

Vaccination helps our body fight diseases.
It makes our immunity strong.

Vaccines protect us from dangerous diseases.

Deficiency Diseases

These diseases happen when our body does not get enough nutrients.

Types of Deficiency Diseases

1. Protein Deficiency

Diseases:

  • Marasmus
  • Kwashiorkor

Symptoms:

  • Weakness
  • Poor growth

 

2. Vitamin Deficiency

  • Vitamin A → Night blindness
  • Vitamin B1 → Beri-beri
  • Vitamin C → Scurvy
  • Vitamin D → Rickets

 

3. Mineral Deficiency

  • Iodine → Goitre
  • Iron → Anaemia

 

Prevention of Deficiency Diseases

Eat a balanced diet that includes:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Milk and dairy
  • Pulses and cereals
  • Green leafy vegetables

Diseases can be prevented by:

  • Eating healthy food
  • Keeping clean

Healthy food + Clean habits = Healthy life

Multiple Choice Questions

 

1. What is a disease?

A. A type of food
B. A condition when body does not work properly
C. A game
D. A plant

 Answer: B

 

2. Which of these is a communicable disease?

A. Diabetes
B. Anaemia
C. Measles
D. Obesity

 Answer: C

 

3. Communicable diseases spread through:

A. Air
B. Water
C. Contact
D. All of these

 Answer: D

 

4. Which of these is NOT a communicable disease?

A. Cholera
B. Typhoid
C. Diabetes
D. Tuberculosis

 Answer: C

 

5. Malaria is spread by:

A. Air
B. Water
C. Mosquito
D. Food

 Answer: C

 

6. Night blindness is caused by lack of:

A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D

 Answer: A

 

7. Scurvy is caused by lack of:

A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin B1
C. Vitamin C
D. Iron

 Answer: C

 

8. Anaemia is caused by lack of:

A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Iodine
D. Protein

 Answer: B

 

9. Vaccination helps to:

A. Spread disease
B. Increase germs
C. Protect from disease
D. Cause weakness

 Answer: C

10. A balanced diet includes:

A. Junk food
B. Only sweets
C. Fruits, vegetables, and nutrients
D. Only water

 Answer: C