A person with blood group O is called a universal donor because their blood can be safely transfused to individuals of all major blood groups (A, B, AB, and O).
Definitions [28]
Define health.
Health is defined as the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Definition: Immunity
The overall ability of the host to fight the disease-causing organisms conferred by the immune system is called immunity.
Define the following:
Infection
Infection is the entry, development, or multiplication of an infectious agent in the human body or animals.
Define the following.
Vaccines
Preparation of antigenic proteins of pathogens (weakened or killed) which on inoculation into a healthy person provides temporary/permanent immunity against a particular disease.
Definition: Vaccine
A preparation containing specific antigens that is administered to induce temporary or permanent immunity against a particular disease is called a vaccine.
Define the following:
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are metabolic products of microorganisms whose very low concentrations are inhibitory or detrimental to other microbes.
Definition: Vaccination
The process of administering a vaccine to stimulate the immune system and provide protection against infectious diseases is called vaccination.
Definition: Universal Donor
Define the following term:
Rh factor
Rhesus factor is a hereditary protein present in red blood cells. If present, the individual is Rh-positive; if absent, they are Rh-negative.
Definition: Blood Transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of introducing blood from a healthy donor into the bloodstream of a patient, typically through a vein, often during surgery or after heavy blood loss.
Definition: Blood Recipient
A Blood Recipient is a person who receives blood during a transfusion, requiring compatibility with the donor's blood group.
Definition: Antigens
Antigens are specific proteins present on the surface of red blood cells that determine an individual’s blood group (e.g., Antigen A or Antigen B).
Definition: Antibodies
Antibodies are proteins present in blood plasma that react against specific antigens not found on the individual's own red blood cells, playing a key role in blood group compatibility.
Definition: Universal Recipient
A person with blood group AB is called a universal recipient because they can receive blood from all major blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) without risk of incompatibility.
Definition: Blood Donor
Define the following.
Pathogen
A pathogen is a biological agent that causes disease to its host. e.g. bacteria, virus, etc.
Define the following:
Disease
Disease:
The disease can be defined as an impairment or malfunctioning of the normal state of the living organism that disturbs or modifies the performance of vital functions of the body.
Definition: Benign tumour
Benign tumour is a non-cancerous tumour that remains confined to its original site and does not spread to other parts of the body.
Definition: Tumour
Tumour is a mass of abnormally proliferating cells formed due to uncontrolled cell division.
Definition: Metastasis
Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells spread from the primary site to distant organs through blood or lymph.
Definition: Cancer
Cancer is a disease characterised by uncontrolled and abnormal division of body cells due to loss of normal growth regulation.
Definition: Malignant tumour
Malignant tumour is a cancerous tumour that grows rapidly, invades surrounding tissues and spreads to distant organs.
Definition: Carcinogens
Agents that cause cancer by disturbing the normal genetic and regulatory processes of cells are called carcinogens.
Definition: Oncogene
A cancer-causing gene that induces transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells is called an oncogene.
Definition: Proto-oncogene
A normal cellular gene involved in growth and development, which can become an oncogene after mutation or activation, is called a proto-oncogene.
Definition: Adolescence
Adolescence is the period between the beginning of sexual maturation and entry into adult life.
Definition: Addiction
Addiction is a condition of physical and psychological dependence on a substance or habit, leading to compulsive use despite harmful effects.
Definition: Drug abuse
Drug abuse is the improper or excessive use of drugs that leads to harmful effects on physical, mental and social health.
Key Points
Key Point: Blood Transfusion and Blood Groups
- Blood transfusion involves transferring blood from a healthy donor to a patient and requires strict blood group compatibility.
- The ABO system divides blood into four types—A, B, AB, and O—based on antigens present on RBCs and corresponding antibodies in plasma.
- Blood group O is known as the universal donor, while group AB is the universal recipient due to compatibility with all types.
- The Rh system is based on the presence (Rh⁺) or absence (Rh⁻) of the Rh factor (D antigen) on RBCs, discovered in Rhesus monkeys.
- Rh incompatibility in pregnancy may lead to the mother's sensitisation, causing complications for future Rh⁺ pregnancies, including foetal death or abortion.
Key Points: Typhoid
| Aspect | Typhoid |
|---|---|
| Cause | Bacterial disease caused by Salmonella typhi |
| Symptoms | High fever, headache, abdominal pain, weakness, loss of appetite |
| Spread | Contaminated food and water, mainly through houseflies |
| Treatment | Antibiotics, isolation, proper nursing and fluids |
| Prevention | Good sanitation, covered food, TAB vaccination |
Key Points: Pneumonia
| Aspect | Pneumonia |
|---|---|
| Cause | Acute lung infection mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae |
| Symptoms | High fever, dry cough, chest pain, rapid breathing, chills |
| Spread | Inhalation of droplets from infected person or sharing utensils |
| Treatment | Antibiotics, bed rest, fluids, medical follow-up |
| Prevention | Personal hygiene, public hygiene, early care of cough and cold |
Key Points: Malaria
| Aspect | Malaria |
|---|---|
| Cause | Protozoan parasite Plasmodium (P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale) |
| Transmission | Bite of infected female Anopheles mosquito |
| Symptoms | High fever with chills, shivering, headache, nausea, muscle pain |
| Treatment | Antimalarial drugs like chloroquine, quinine, primaquine |
| Prevention | Mosquito control, bed nets, larvivorous fish (Gambusia), vaccination (RTS,S) |
Key Points: Amoebiasis (Amoebic dysentery)
| Aspect | Amoebiasis |
|---|---|
| Cause | Protozoan Entamoeba histolytica |
| Transmission | Contaminated food and water carrying cysts from human faeces |
| Symptoms | Diarrhoea with blood and mucus, abdominal pain, cramps, constipation |
| Treatment | Antiamoebic drugs like metronidazole and tinidazole |
| Prevention | Personal hygiene, safe drinking water, clean food, sanitation |
Key Points: Ascariasis
| Aspect | Ascariasis |
|---|---|
| Cause | Roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides |
| Transmission | Contaminated food and water containing eggs |
| Symptoms | Abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, anaemia, dizziness |
| Treatment | Piperazine citrate or pyrantel palmoate |
| Prevention | Proper sanitation and personal hygiene |
Key Points: Filariasis (Elephantiasis)
| Aspect | Filariasis (Elephantiasis) |
|---|---|
| Cause | Filarial worms Wuchereria bancrofti and W. malayi |
| Transmission | Bite of infected Culex mosquito |
| Symptoms | Fever with chills; severe swelling of limbs and genital organs |
| Treatment | Diethyl carbamazine citrate, antibiotics, surgery in severe cases |
| Prevention | Mosquito control and eradication of breeding sites |
Key Points: Common cold
| Aspect | Common Cold |
|---|---|
| Cause | Viral infection mainly caused by Rhinoviruses |
| Symptoms | Runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, headache, tiredness |
| Transmission | Droplets from coughing/sneezing and contaminated objects |
| Treatment | Rest, fluids, painkillers, steam inhalation |
| Prevention | Maintenance of personal and public hygiene |
Key Points: Dengue fever
| Aspect | Dengue Fever |
|---|---|
| Cause | Viral infection caused by Dengue virus (Flavivirus) |
| Transmission | Bite of infected female Aedes aegypti mosquito |
| Symptoms | High fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, bleeding in severe cases |
| Treatment | Supportive care, fluids, paracetamol, blood transfusion in severe cases |
| Prevention | Elimination of mosquitoes and prevention of mosquito bites |
Key Points: Ringworm
| Aspect | Ringworm (Tinea) |
|---|---|
| Cause | Fungal infection by Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton |
| Affected areas | Scalp (tinea capitis), body (tinea corporis), groin (tinea cruris), feet (tinea pedis) |
| Symptoms | Circular red scaly patches with itching and central clearing |
| Spread | Contact with infected soil, towels, clothes, combs or persons |
| Prevention | Maintenance of personal and public hygiene |
Key Points: Types of Cancer
| Type of Cancer | Tissue of Origin | Nature of Tumour | Percentage | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carcinoma | Epithelial tissue (ectoderm/endoderm) | Malignant epithelial tumour | ~85% | Breast, lung, stomach cancer |
| Sarcoma | Connective tissue (mesoderm) | Solid malignant tumour | ~2% | Bone, cartilage, muscle sarcoma |
| Lymphoma | Lymphatic tissue | Excessive lymphocyte production | ~5% | Hodgkin’s disease |
| Leukaemia | Blood and bone marrow | Abnormal proliferation of leucocytes | ~4% | Acute and chronic leukaemia |
Key Points: AIDS
| Aspect | AIDS |
|---|---|
| Causal organism | Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a retrovirus |
| Symptoms | Weight loss, fever, diarrhoea, oral thrush, swollen lymph nodes; later pneumonia, cancers |
| Transmission | Blood transfusion, shared needles, unprotected sexual contact, mother to child |
| Prevention/Treatment | No permanent cure; prevention by safe sex, screened blood, sterile needles; drugs like AZT used |
Key Points: HIV/AIDS
| Heading | Information |
|---|---|
| Causal organism | AIDS is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), a retrovirus. |
| Mode of action | HIV destroys T-helper (T₄) lymphocytes, causing loss of immunity. |
| Symptoms | Fever, weight loss, diarrhoea, swollen lymph glands, infections and cancers. |
| Transmission | Spread through infected blood, shared needles, sexual contact, and mother to child. |
| Prevention/Treatment | No complete cure; AZT is used; prevention by safe sex, safe blood, disposable syringes and awareness. |
Key Points: Adolescence
- Adolescence is the stage between childhood and adulthood (ages 10–19), marked by fast physical and emotional changes.
- It has three stages: Early (10–14), Middle (15–17), and Late (18–19), each with different body and thinking developments.
- Puberty brings sexual and physical changes due to hormones—testosterone in boys and oestrogen in girls.
- Physical changes include growth in height, changes in body shape, changes in voice, and increased sweat/oil production.
- Emotional and social changes include mood swings, seeking independence, peer pressure, and identity formation.
Concepts [28]
- Immunity
- Types of Immunity > Innate Immunity
- Types of Immunity > Acquired Immunity
- Cells of Immune System
- Types of T-Lymphocyte:
- Mechanism of Action of B-lymphocytes to Antigens
- Vaccination and Immunization
- Structure of Antibody
- Formation of Antigen-Antibody Complex
- Blood Transfusion and Blood Groups (ABO and Rh system)
- Disease
- Diseases Caused by Bacteria > Typhoid
- Diseases Caused by Bacteria > Pneumonia
- Diseases Caused by Protozoa > Malaria
- Diseases Caused by Protozoa > Amoebiasis (Amoeboic dysentery)
- Diseases Caused by Helminths > Ascariasis
- Diseases Caused by Helminths > Filariasis (Elephantiasis)
- Diseases Caused by Viruses > Common Cold
- Diseases Caused by Viruses > Dengue Fever
- Diseases Caused by Fungi > Ringworm
- Cancer
- Types of Cancer
- Causes of Cancer
- Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Concept of Adolescence
- Addiction
- Drug Abuse
- Addiction and Dependence
