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

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

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

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.

By means of

a healthy lifestyle, and

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

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.

Questions:

a) Write down what is meant by a "healthy lifestyle".

b) Which environmental factors could enhance the distribution of AIDS?

c) What do you see as your own responsibility towards yourself as well as to others with regard to HIV/AIDS?

2. TUBERCULOSIS (TB)

It is a disease, caused by bacteria, that normally affects the lungs but which can also affect the spinal cord, heart and kidneys. It is highly infectious, as small droplets of spittle containing the bacteria that are dispersed through the air when the infected person coughs are inhaled by other people. According to estimates, one infected person communicates the disease to three other people before treatment of the infected person commences. When or an infected person does not complete the course of treatment, it is estimated that he or she will infect ten other people before he or she dies.

The symptoms include a cough that lasts for weeks, weakness, night sweats, pains in the chest and coughing up of blood.

By keeping the body strong and taking care when among people. People who are within breathing distance of people infected with TB are very vulnerable. Good housing is important.

People who work in mines where there is silica (a type of rock) are also vulnerable.

Anybody who shows symptoms of the disease should be tested straight away, so it is important for people to be informed about the disease.

Yes. Tests can be done at clinics, hospitals and by doctors. Treatment takes from six to nine months. The danger is that TB sufferers begin to feel better after a few days of treatment and then stop taking the medication. At this stage only a small number of the bacteria have actually died and the rest have started building up resistance to the disease. This means that the medication is less effective when the condition of the patient worsens, and many such patients eventually die from the disease.

Plan a campaign to improve the problem of TB in South Africa.

3. MALARIA

malaria is a disease that is caused by a unicellular organism that lives and multiplies in the red blood corpuscles and destroys the cell when it breaks free. The organisms multiply extremely rapidly and very quickly cause severe illness in the form of chills and fever, leading to the death of the affected person.

The organism gains entry into the body when an infected mosquito bites the person.

By avoiding areas where malaria occurs, by wearing long-sleeved clothing and by applying mosquito repellents to the skin. Mosquitoes can also be controlled by means of poisons. All the countries in an affected region need to co-operate, otherwise the disease easily spreads back again. The measures also have to be continued for long enough. In the past, efforts to eradicate the mosquitoes have not been successful.

Yes, provided they react quickly when the symptoms of infection occur and they are able to get medical help. Prophylactic medication (that stops you getting the disease) is relatively effective, but has to be taken correctly. The medication has to be continued for four weeks after leaving the infected area.

The malaria organism is able to adapt very rapidly and to build up resistance against medication. This means that medication might be effective initially, but can systematically lose effectiveness.

The initial symptoms are like those of influenza, but the headaches and nausea become acute and are followed by a high fever.

Investigate the possibility of fighting malaria by treating or changing the areas where malaria is rife.