Question

Give two examples each of airborne and waterborne diseases.

Answer 1

Airborne diseases

1. Airborne diseases are caused by inhalation of air which carries disease-causing pathogens.
2. Many diseases of the respiratory tract are airborne. Bacteria and viruses that infect the nasal passage, throat, windpipe, and lungs are present in the saliva and mucus of an infected person.
3. The germs of respiratory diseases like the common cold, measles, influenza, tuberculosis, and pneumonia spread through the air.

Waterborne disease

1. Drinking dirty water contaminated with germs, or using it to brush teeth or to make ice can causes waterborne diseases.
2. Typhoid, dysentery, cholera, and hepatitis are spread through contaminated water.
3. Using boiled or purified water, a proper system for disposal of human waste, and protection of the source of water from contamination can prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.