Diseases are grouped into two main types:

1. Communicable diseases – illnesses that spread from one person to another
2. Non-communicable diseases – illnesses that do not spread from person to person

These are diseases caused by germs like bacteria and viruses. They spread from an infected person to a healthy person.

Malaria

• Cause: Parasites called plasmodium
• How it spreads: Through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito
• Symptoms: High fever, shivering, headache, body weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite
• Prevention:
  • Sleep under a treated mosquito net
  • Use mosquito sprays, coils, and repellents
  • Put wire mesh on windows and doors
  • Destroy breeding places (bushes, stagnant water, cans, tyres)

Cholera

• Cause: Bacteria
• How it spreads: Through contaminated food and water; houseflies carry bacteria from faeces to food
• Symptoms: Continuous diarrhoea and vomiting, stool that looks like rice water, yellowish urine, body weakness
• Prevention:
  • Keep the environment clean
  • Eat clean and safe food
  • Drink clean and safe water
  • Use the toilet properly
  • Wash hands with soap and clean water after using the toilet and before eating

Chickenpox

• Cause: Virus
• How it spreads: Through skin contact with an infected person; sharing clothes
• Symptoms: High temperature, headache, itchy rashes that turn into blisters with fluid
• Prevention:
  • Avoid sharing clothes with an infected person
  • Keep the body and clothes clean
  • Use antiseptic when bathing or washing the patient's clothes

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Cause: Bacteria
• How it spreads: Through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits
• Symptoms: Coughing for more than two weeks, chest pain, fever and sweating at night, rapid weight loss, coughing up blood, loss of appetite
• Prevention:
  • Vaccinate infants
  • Keep rooms well-ventilated
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Avoid crowded places
  • Do not share utensils with an infected person

HIV and AIDS

• Cause: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• How it spreads:
  • Sharing toothbrushes, needles, razors, pins, earrings, and scissors
  • Receiving blood from an infected person (without testing)
  • From mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding
  • Sexual intercourse with an infected person
• Prevention:
  • Avoid sharing sharp objects
  • Young people should avoid sexual activities
  • Blood must be tested before transfusion
  • People with HIV should eat healthy food and exercise regularly

These diseases do not spread from one person to another. They are often caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits or inherited from parents.

Cancer

• Cause: Exposure to strong radiation and harmful chemicals (from food, air, cosmetics, medicines)
• Prevention: Eat healthy food, avoid alcohol and smoking, go for early check-ups

Diabetes

• Cause: The pancreas does not produce enough insulin; can be inherited or caused by unhealthy habits
• Symptoms: Frequent urination, rapid weight loss, feeling thirsty, feeling tired, poor eyesight, slow-healing wounds, numbness in hands or feet
• Prevention: Eat properly, control body weight, exercise regularly

Asthma

• Cause: Can be inherited or caused by environmental factors like smoke, dust, perfume, pollen
• Symptoms: Coughing, sneezing, runny nose, chest tightness, shortness of breath with wheezing sound
• Prevention: Avoid triggers like pollen and perfumes, get treatment immediately after symptoms appear

• Germs – Tiny living organisms that cause diseases
• Pathogen – Harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses
• Communicable – Diseases that can spread from person to person
• Non-communicable – Diseases that do not spread from person to person
• Metamorphosis – Changes in an insect's shape as it grows

In everyday life in Tanzania, knowing about diseases helps you stay healthy. For example, when you buy food from a duka or soko, you should check that it is fresh and clean to avoid diseases like cholera. If you see a neighbour with symptoms like high fever and shivering, you can advise their family to go to the nearest kituo cha afya for a malaria test. Taking these steps helps protect your family and community from illnesses.