Communicable Diseases – JSS3 Physical & Health Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Communicable diseases are diseases that can be passed from one person to another. They are also called infectious diseases. The mode of transmission can be through direct contact, infected air or vectors.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define communicable diseases;
• list the types of communicable diseases;
• state the ways disease germs enter the body;
• give examples of common communicable diseases;
• state ways of preventing communicable diseases.

Types of communicable diseases

Communicable diseases are grouped by the way they spread:

1. Air-borne diseases
2. Food-borne and water-borne diseases
3. Contagious skin diseases
4. Animal and insect bite diseases
5. Sexually transmitted diseases

How do communicable diseases enter the body?

1. Through the mouth or nose
2. Through the intestine
3. Through the skin

Examples of common communicable diseases

• Cough
• Cold
• Flu
• Influenza
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria fever
• Typhoid fever
• Dysentery
• Cholera
• Measles
• Smallpox
• Ringworm
• Scabies
• Sleeping sickness
• Gonorrhoea
• Syphilis
• HIV/AIDS

How can communicable diseases be prevented?

1. Wash your hands properly before eating and after using the toilet.
2. Obey quarantine regulations.
3. Maintain personal cleanliness.
4. Keep the environment in and around the house clean and well drained.
5. Cook your food well before you eat it.
6. Keep your fingers clean and your fingernails short.
7. Treat wounds and sores, and never leave them exposed.
8. Fumigate your surroundings regularly.
9. Go for regular medical check-ups.

Evaluation

1. What are communicable diseases?
2. List the five types of communicable diseases.
3. State the three ways disease germs can enter the body.
4. Name five examples of communicable diseases.
5. State four ways of preventing communicable diseases.

Assignment

List six general ways of preventing communicable diseases and explain any two of them in one sentence each.