6.2 Cause of Death (Transmission of TB and HIV)

Question 1

What are pathogens?

Answer 1

Bacteria and viruses that cause diseases

Question 2

How is Mycobacterium Tuberculosis carried?

Answer 2

Droplets of mucus and saliva

Question 3

How can it be released in the air? What is this type of infection called?

Answer 3

When an infected person talks.
Others can inhale the droplets.
Droplet infection.

Question 4

How long can the droplets be suspended for?

Answer 4

Several hours in poorly ventilated areas.

Question 5

How can risk be increased?

Answer 5

Close contact with infected person increases risk of developing the disease.
Poor health.
Poor diet.
Overcrowding conditions.

Question 6

How long can the HIV virus survive?

Answer 6

Not a tough virus and cannot survive outside the body for a significant amount of time.

Question 7

How is HIV passed on?

Answer 7

Only in body fluids: Blood vaginal secretions, semen (not saliva or urine).
Body fluids have to be transferred directly into the body.

Question 8

Transmission

Answer 8

1. Sharing needles.
2. Unprotected sex.
3. Blood-to-blood transfer through cuts and grazes.
4. Maternal transmission from mother to unborn child or in breast milk.
   OR lesions caused by other infections (STRS)