Diseases are generally classified into three based on how they are caused. They are genetic diseases, metabolic diseases and infectious diseases.
Genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis are inherited from the parents due to genetic defects.
Metabolic diseases are developed on failure of normal bodily functions. Diabetes is an example of metabolic diseases which is caused by insufficient secretion of insulin by the pancreas which in turn shoots up the blood sugar levels.
However, the third category (Infectious) of the diseases caused by poor personal hygiene and polluted environment – water, air or sanitation infrastructure – is the scope of this article.
Poor Hygiene Diseases
Bacteria, Viruses and parasites are the primary inhabitants of unhygienic places and they are the ones that cause deadly infectious diseases such as Malaria, AIDS, Tuberculosis, Cholera etc. These deadly germs use the human body as a host for reproduction and multiplying in no time thereby forcing the body succumb to their act.
Maintaining good personal hygiene is the best way to protect yourself from parasites, viruses and bacteria. Equally important is the hygiene in and around your home and places that you frequent.
Some of the bad hygiene diseases caused by viruses (via their carriers such as rats, mosquitoes, fleas, bats, dogs) include Common Cold, Influenza, Hepatitis, Herpes, Dengue fever, Rabies, Polio, Mumps, Measles, Yellow fever, Small pox, Warts etc.
Some of the virus infected situations can never be treated and hence they are the deadliest of them all.
Bacteria caused diseases are usually treated by Antibiotic medicines. Examples of such diseases include Diarrhea, Typhoid, Cholera, Chlamydia, Food poisoning, Anthrax, Tuberculosis etc.
Parasites such as Fungi and protozoa can cause numerous common diseases generally associated with bad hygiene. Examples of such diseases are Malaria, Amoebic dysentery, Gastro enteritis, Coccidiosis, African trypanosomiasis, various worm attacks, Athlete’s foot, Elephantiasis etc.
You can avoid falling sick through proper hygienic practices from the childhood itself. After all, prevention is better than cure!
