Question

Classify the following diseases as infectious or non-infectious.

a) AIDS.
b) Tuberculosis.
c) Cholera.
d) High blood pressure.
e) Heart disease.
f) Pneumonia.
g) Cancer.

Answer 1

a) AIDS - Infectious
b) Tuberculosis - Infectious
c) Cholera - Infectious
d) High blood pressure - Non-infectious
e) Heart disease - Non-infectious
f) Pneumonia - Infectious
g) Cancer - Non-infectious

Infectious diseases are diseases caused by microorganisms like bacteria, virus, fungi and protozoa and the transmission of these diseases occur through direct contact or some sort of medium (air, water, vectors).

Non-infectious diseases are diseases caused by genetic abnormalities, malfunctioning of organs, environmental factors, etc. Eg - cancer, haemophilia, genetic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc.