4.5 The causes of particular diseases in terms of environmental

Life orientation

Grade 8

Social development and career orientation

Module 27

The causes of particular diseases in terms of

Environmental factors

Activity 7:

To discuss the causes of particular kinds of diseases in terms of environmental factors,

As well as steps that are taken and could still be taken with regard to these diseases

[lo 1.1, 1.2,1.4]

The following messages have been taken from the Internet:

Stop inhaling tar; start breathing air!

Be tough; turn your back on smoking!

Smoking affects the health of children.

We have a right to clean water,

Because polluted, toxic water

Endangers

Health -

My own, and the health the family and of future generations

And of this planet.

We all have a responsibility -

Individual, state,

Business and industry,

to keep our water free from toxic substances

and to protect

our drinking water,

fish and beaches

• Sum up the above messages as one message in a single sentence. Your message should make use of the following words: right, responsibility, health, environment.
• Ask your educator to allow an opportunity for all the messages to be presented to the class. Then organise a class effort to formulate a message that can be spread through the school, as well as through the community. Bear in mind that the shorter the message, the more power it will have.

• What is the message presented by the class?

Three feared diseases: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

There are several diseases that are feared by people. One such disease is cancer. But there is a specific reason for specifying AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as feared diseases in this section: they affect vast areas of our country and a large portion of our population. Such diseases are known as pandemics.

1. HIV/AIDS

• What do HIV and AIDS stand for?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

• What are HIV and AIDS?

They are caused by a virus that is transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood, male semen, female vaginal fluid and breast milk.

The virus is transported along the bloodstream and infiltrates the cells of the body, where it multiplies and infects other cells.

An infected cell is not able to offer resistance to other infections and diseases.

AIDS is the condition that arises when the body becomes infected with various diseases and is unable to offer any resistance to the infection.

• How is it possible to avoid HIV infection?

By means of

a healthy lifestyle, and

prevention of mother-to-child transfer of the HI virus.

• Is it possible to help people who have AIDS?

People firstly have to be willing to be tested. This can be done by private doctors, and at clinics, hospitals and laboratories.

Such testing must be accompanied by effective consultation. This kind of service is available right across South Africa.

People who have AIDS are able to lead productive lives by following a healthy diet containing plenty of proteins and energy (kilojoules). They must control their stress levels, drink clean water, keep their hands clean and receive treatment for illnesses that they might pick up. They should avoid cats, as these animals carry germs.