Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure - Solutions

Question 1

Group the diseases shown in the images as communicable or non-communicable.

[Images: Diseases (Cold and flu, Typhoid, Chickenpox, Diabetes, Asthma) ]

Answer:

• Communicable: Cold and flu, Typhoid, Chickenpox.
• Non-communicable: Diabetes, Asthma.

Question 2

Diseases can be broadly grouped into communicable and non-communicable diseases. From the options given below, identify the non-communicable diseases.

• (i) Typhoid
• (ii) Asthma
• (iii) Diabetes
• (iv) Measles

Options: (a) (i) and (ii) | (b) (ii) and (iii) | (c) (i) and (iv) | (d) (ii) and (iv).

Answer: (b) (ii) and (iii).

Question 3

There is a flu outbreak in your school. Several classmates are absent, while some are still coming to school coughing and sneezing.

(i) What immediate actions should the school take to prevent further spread?

Answer:

• Encourage students showing symptoms to stay home and rest.
• Provide hand sanitizers in classrooms and common areas.
• Educate students and staff on proper handwashing techniques.
• Advise covering mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Increase cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.
• Consider encouraging mask-wearing, especially for those with mild symptoms.
• Ensure good ventilation in classrooms.

(ii) If your classmate, who shares the bench with you, starts showing symptoms of the flu, how can you respond in a considerate way without being rude or hurtful?

Answer:

• Express concern for their well-being: "I hope you feel better soon!".
• Gently suggest they might want to talk to the teacher or school nurse if they're feeling unwell, as resting at home can help them recover faster and prevent others from getting sick.
• Maintain personal hygiene by washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face.
• Avoid sharing personal items like pens, water bottles, or food.

(iii) How can you protect yourself and others from getting infected in this situation?

Answer:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, mouth).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
• Maintain a reasonable distance from people who are coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid sharing personal items like water bottles, food, or stationery.
• Get enough sleep and eat nutritious food to keep your immune system strong.

Question 4

Your family is planning to travel to another city where malaria is prevalent.

(i) What precautions should you take before, during, and after the trip?

Answer:

• Before the trip: Consult a doctor about anti-malarial medication if recommended for the specific area. Pack mosquito nets, repellents, and long-sleeved clothing.
• During the trip: Use mosquito nets while sleeping. Apply mosquito repellents on exposed skin. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially from dusk till dawn when mosquitoes are most active. Avoid areas with stagnant water.
• After the trip: If you develop fever or flu-like symptoms after returning, seek medical attention immediately and inform your doctor about your travel history.

(ii) How can you explain the importance of mosquito nets or repellents to your sibling?

Answer: You know how annoying mosquito bites are, right? Well, some mosquitoes can carry tiny germs that make people really sick, like with malaria. Mosquito nets act like a shield when we sleep, keeping those biting mosquitoes away. Repellents put a smell on our skin that mosquitoes hate, so they stay away from us. Using both helps us stay safe and healthy so we can enjoy our trip without getting sick!

(iii) What could happen if travellers ignore health advisories in such areas?

Answer: Ignoring health advisories can lead to serious health consequences, such as contracting malaria or other vector-borne diseases. This can result in severe illness, hospitalization, long-term health complications, and even death. It can also lead to the spread of the disease to other non-infected areas upon their return.

Question 5

Your uncle has started smoking just to fit in with his friends, even though it is well known that smoking can seriously harm health and even cause death.

(i) What would you say to him to make him stop, without being rude?

Answer: Uncle, I really care about you, and I've been learning in school about how smoking can seriously affect health. It can cause problems with your heart and lungs, and even lead to very serious diseases like cancer. I know it might be tough with friends, but your health is the most important thing. Maybe there are other ways to fit in? I'd love for you to stay healthy and active for a long, long time.

(ii) What would you do if your friend offers you a cigarette at a party?

Answer: Politely but firmly say "No, thank you." You can add a brief reason if you feel comfortable, like "I don't smoke" or "I'm trying to stay healthy." It's important to prioritize your health and well-being over peer pressure.

(iii) How can schools help prevent students from indulging in such harmful habits?

Answer:

• Education: Implement comprehensive health education programs that clearly explain the harmful effects of smoking, alcohol, and drugs, using real-life examples and statistics.
• Awareness Campaigns: Organize awareness campaigns, workshops, and debates with doctors, counsellors, and former users to highlight the dangers and encourage healthy choices.
• Counselling and Support: Provide accessible counselling services for students struggling with peer pressure or curious about such habits.
• Healthy Alternatives: Promote participation in sports, clubs, and other healthy activities that build self-esteem and provide positive social outlets.
• Role Models: Invite positive role models to share their experiences and inspire students.
• Strict Policies: Enforce clear and consistent school policies against the use of harmful substances on school premises.

Question 6

Saniya claims to her friend Vinita that “Antibiotics can cure any infection, so we don’t need to worry about diseases.” What question(s) can Vinita ask her to help Saniya understand that her statement is incorrect?

Answer:

• "Saniya, that's interesting! But, do antibiotics work against all types of germs, like viruses that cause a cold or flu?"
• "What happens if we take antibiotics too often, even when we don't need them? Could that make them less effective when we really need them for a serious infection?"
• "If antibiotics could cure any infection, why do doctors sometimes say they can't help with certain illnesses, and why do they emphasize taking them only when prescribed and for the full duration?"

Question 7

The following table contains information about the number of dengue cases reported in a hospital over a period of one year:

S. No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Month	January	February	March	April	May	June
No. of dengue cases	10	12	15	18	22	40
S. No.	7	8	9	10	11	12
Month	July	August	September	October	November	December
No. of dengue cases	65	65	65	30	30	20

Make a bar graph of the number of cases on the Y-axis and the month on the X-axis. Critically analyse your findings and answer the following:

[Bar Graph: Number of Dengue Cases (Y-axis) vs. Month (X-axis) ]

(i) In which three months were the dengue cases highest?

Answer: In July, August, and September (65 cases each) were the dengue cases highest.

(ii) In which month(s) were the cases lowest?

Answer: In January (10 cases) were the cases lowest.

Maximum Cases: f(x) = max(cases) = 65 for x ∈ {July, August, September}
Minimum Cases: f(x) = min(cases) = 10 for x ∈ {January}

(iii) What natural or environmental factors during the peak months might contribute to the increase in dengue cases?

Answer: The peak months (July, August, September) typically coincide with the monsoon season or post-monsoon period in many regions. Increased rainfall leads to more stagnant water collection (in discarded tires, flower pots, coolers, etc.), which provides ideal breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the primary vectors for dengue. Warm and humid conditions also favor mosquito breeding and the dengue virus's replication within the mosquito.

(iv) Suggest a few preventive steps that the community or government can take before the peak season to reduce the spread of dengue.

Answer:

Community Level:

• Source Reduction: Conduct community-wide clean-up drives to eliminate stagnant water sources (e.g., empty old tires, clean water storage containers, unblock drains).
• Awareness Campaigns: Educate residents about dengue symptoms, prevention, and the importance of preventing mosquito breeding.
• Personal Protection: Encourage the use of mosquito repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing.

Government Level:

• Larval Control: Implement regular larviciding programs in public areas and large water bodies.
• Fogging/Spraying: Conduct fogging or targeted spraying in high-risk areas during and before the peak season.
• Surveillance: Strengthen surveillance systems to monitor mosquito populations and dengue cases to identify hotspots early.
• Sanitation Programs: Invest in and maintain proper waste management and drainage systems to prevent water stagnation.
• Healthcare Preparedness: Ensure hospitals and clinics are prepared for a potential increase in dengue cases, with adequate medical supplies and trained staff.

Question 8

Imagine you are in charge of a school health campaign. What key messages would you use to reduce communicable and non-communicable diseases?

Answer:

To Reduce Communicable Diseases:

• "Wash Your Hands, Save Lives: Clean hands stop germs from spreading!"
• "Cover Up, Cough Safe: Use a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze."
• "Stay Home if Sick: Help stop the spread by resting and recovering at home."
• "Vaccines are Your Superpower: Get vaccinated to protect yourself and your friends from serious illnesses!"
• "Clean Surroundings, Clear Health: Keep our school and homes clean to keep diseases away."

To Reduce Non-communicable Diseases:

• "Eat Smart, Live Strong: Choose colorful fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Limit fast food and sugary treats!"
• "Move Your Body, Boost Your Mind: Stay active by playing, running, or exercising daily. It's fun and keeps you healthy!"
• "Sleep Well, Grow Tall: Get enough sleep every night to recharge your body and mind."
• "Screen Time Down, Nature Time Up: Balance your digital life with outdoor adventures for healthier eyes and happier minds."
• "Say NO to Harmful Habits: Protect your future by avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs."
• "Mind Matters: Take time to relax, breathe, and connect with friends. Your emotional well-being is key to overall health!"

Question 9

It is recommended that we should not take an antibiotic for a viral infection like a cold, a cough, or flu. Can you provide the possible reason for this recommendation?

Answer: Antibiotics are specific medicines designed to kill or stop the growth of bacteria. They do not work against viruses, which cause infections like the common cold, coughs, or flu. Taking antibiotics for a viral infection is ineffective and can actually be harmful. It contributes to antibiotic resistance, a situation where bacteria become immune to the effects of antibiotics, making it harder to treat future bacterial infections when they genuinely occur. This means that for a simple cold, using antibiotics unnecessarily can make them powerless against serious bacterial infections later on.

Question 10

Which disease(s) among the following may spread if drinking water gets contaminated by the excreta from an infected person?

Hepatitis A, Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Cholera, Chickenpox.

Answer: Hepatitis A, Cholera, and Poliomyelitis. Typhoid, another water-borne disease mentioned in the book, would also fit this category. Tuberculosis (spread by air) and Chickenpox (spread by air and direct contact) are not primarily spread through contaminated water.

Question 11

When our body encounters a pathogen for the first time, the immune response is generally low but on exposure to the same pathogen again, the immune response by the body is much more compared to the first exposure. Why is it so?

Answer: This phenomenon is due to the concept of acquired immunity and immunological memory. When the immune system encounters a pathogen for the first time, it takes time to identify it, build specific defenses (like antibodies and specialized immune cells), and mount an effective response. The initial response can be slow, which is why we often get sick.

However, once the immune system has successfully fought off a pathogen, it "remembers" it. It creates memory cells (B cells and T cells) that can quickly recognize that specific pathogen if it enters the body again. Upon subsequent exposure, these memory cells can rapidly multiply and produce a much stronger, faster, and more effective immune response, often preventing the disease from developing or significantly reducing its severity.

Let R(x) represent the magnitude of the immune response on exposure 'x'.
R(Secondary Exposure) >> R(Primary Exposure)
(This occurs because Memory Cells accelerate and amplify the process.)

This is the fundamental principle behind how vaccines work, as they "prime" the immune system for future encounters.