General Studies Study Notes: Prevention of Diseases
Hello Health Explorers! 👋
Have you ever wondered why we sometimes get a cold or a tummy ache? Our bodies are amazing, but sometimes tiny invaders called germs can make us feel unwell.
In these notes, we're going to become Health Superheroes! We will learn all about different kinds of sicknesses, how they spread, and most importantly, how we can use our superpowers to prevent them and stay strong and healthy. Learning this is super important so we have more energy to play, learn, and have fun!
What Are Diseases? The Good Guys vs. The Bad Guys
A disease is when a part of our body is not working properly, making us feel sick. Often, this is caused by tiny living things called germs. Think of them like invisible little troublemakers!
Two Main Types of Sickness
Don't worry, this is easier than it sounds! Sicknesses can be sorted into two main teams.
1. Communicable Diseases (The "Catching" Sicknesses)
These are sicknesses you can "catch" from someone else, a bit like passing a ball in a game. They are caused by germs that can travel from one person to another.
- How do they spread? Through coughs and sneezes, touching things an infected person has touched, or through unclean food and water.
- Example from Hong Kong: SARS was a disease that gave people a high fever and a bad cough.
- Example from Hong Kong: Cholera is a disease from dirty water or food that can cause a very bad tummy ache and diarrhoea.
2. Non-Communicable Diseases (The "Inside" Sicknesses)
You cannot catch these sicknesses from other people. They happen because of things inside our own bodies or our daily habits (like what we eat and how much we play).
- How do they happen? They can be related to our lifestyle (like not eating healthy food or not exercising) or how our body works.
- Example from Hong Kong: Heart disease is when the heart, our body's amazing pump, isn't working as well as it should.
- Example from Hong Kong: Asthma makes it hard for some people to breathe easily.
Key Takeaway
Remember, communicable means it can spread (you can catch it), and non-communicable means it doesn't spread from person to person. It's that simple!
Our Body's Super Defence System!
Our body has an amazing delivery system called the human circulatory system. Think of it like a big network of roads (your blood vessels) with a main pump (your heart). This system delivers everything your body needs, like oxygen. But it also carries your body's "soldier cells" that fight off those nasty germs!
When we keep our body healthy, our defence system becomes stronger and can fight off diseases better. That's why being healthy is a real superpower!
Did you know?
Your heart beats about 100,000 times every single day to pump blood all around your body. What a hard worker!
How to Be a Health Superhero: Your Prevention Powers!
The best way to fight sickness is to stop it from starting! Here are your main superpowers for disease prevention.
Power 1: Super Hygiene
Hygiene means keeping clean. This is your number one weapon against germs!
Proper Hand-Washing: The 7-Step Mission
Washing your hands is one of the best ways to get rid of germs. Follow these steps:
- Wet your hands with water.
- Add soap.
- Rub your palms together.
- Rub the back of each hand.
- Rub between your fingers.
- Rub the back of your fingers.
- Rub your thumbs and fingertips.
- Rinse with water and dry your hands!
Environmental Hygiene: Keeping Our City Clean
In a place like Hong Kong, keeping our environment clean is a team effort. When we throw rubbish in the bin and don't litter, we stop germs from spreading in our community. A clean city is a healthy city!
Power 2: Healthy Habits
- Eat a Balanced Diet: Eating fruits, vegetables, and different kinds of healthy food gives your body the fuel it needs to fight germs.
- Exercise and Rest: Playing and moving your body makes it strong. Getting enough sleep helps your body rest and recharge its defences.
Quick Review Box
Your Top 3 Prevention Powers:
1. Wash your hands with soap.
2. Eat healthy food.
3. Keep our city clean.
When We Do Get Sick: Getting Help!
Even superheroes need help sometimes. If you feel sick, it's important to tell an adult and get help from medical professionals.
Medical Services in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, we have great doctors and facilities to help us get better.
- Western Medicine: This is what you might think of first – doctors who give us check-ups, pills, or injections (vaccinations) to fight or prevent illness.
- Chinese Medicine: This is another way to treat sickness that has been used for a very long time. It often uses special herbs and treatments like acupuncture to help the body heal itself.
Medical Heroes and Their Discoveries
Brave and smart people have made amazing discoveries that help us fight diseases!
- Alexander Fleming and Penicillin: He discovered a special mould (penicillin) that could kill harmful germs! This discovery has saved millions of lives.
- Tu Youyou and Chinese Medicine: She studied ancient Chinese medicine books and found a cure for a serious disease called malaria. She showed how old wisdom can help solve modern problems!
Being a Good Patient
When you see a doctor, you have rights and responsibilities.
Your Rights (What you should get):
- To be treated with kindness and respect.
- To have the doctor explain what is wrong in a way you can understand.
- To have your information kept private.
Your Responsibilities (What you should do):
- Tell the doctor exactly how you are feeling.
- Follow the doctor's instructions.
- Take your medicine at the right times and finish all of it, even if you start feeling better!
Key Takeaway
If you feel sick, tell an adult. Doctors, medicines, and hospitals are here to help you. Being an honest and responsible patient helps the doctor help you even better!