Human Diseases > Non-communicable or Non-infectious Diseases

A disease not caused by pathogenic organisms and not transmitted from one person to another by direct or indirect contact is known as a non-communicable (non-infectious) disease.

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The diseases which don’t spread from an infected person to a healthy person are known as non-communicable or non-infectious diseases.

• Diseases that are non-transmissible and cannot spread from an infected patient to a healthy person.
• They are not caused by pathogens (germs) but occur due to internal factors like organ malfunction, weakness, or genetics.

1. Nutritional Deficiency: Beriberi, scurvy, kwashiorkor and night blindness.
2. Metabolic Disorders: Diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism (goitre).
3. Genetic Disorders: Haemophilia and Thalassaemia.
4. Allergies: Hay fever, asthma.
5. Degenerative (Ageing) Diseases: Arthritis (joint inflammation) and cataract.
6. Mental Illness: Depression and schizophrenia.
7. Cancer: Breast cancer, prostate cancer, leukaemia

• Non-communicable diseases are non-transmissible conditions that do not spread from an infected individual to a healthy person.
• Instead of being caused by external pathogens, they arise from internal factors such as genetic defects, organ malfunction, or general physical weakness.
• Common examples include nutritional deficiencies (such as scurvy), metabolic disorders (such as diabetes), and genetic conditions (such as haemophilia).
• Other major classifications encompass allergies, degenerative diseases associated with ageing, mental illnesses, and various forms of cancer.