17 Difference Between Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease with Table

What is the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases?

There are many diseases in the world today. Each disease has unique characteristics when compared to others. But these diseases are grouped as either communicable or non-communicable.

The main difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases Slideshare is that the former spread from one person to another while the latter does not spread and non-contagious.

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Difference Between Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease

Comparison Table (Communicable vs Non-communicable Diseases)

Basic Terms Communicable Disease Non-communicable Disease
Meaning It is a type of disease that spread from one person to another. It is a type of disease that cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
Causative Highly infectious pathogens and vectors transmit these diseases Allergies, malnutrition, illness, lifestyle changes, environmental changes, abnormalities.
Agents Causing Infection Bacteria and Virus No agents
Inheritance Factor Cannot be inherited from one generation to another. Can be inherited from one generation to another
Examples Cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, AIDs, typhoid. Heart diseases, allergies, diabetes
Type of Disease Acute disease Chronic disease
Treatment Traditional methods or therapies Specialized methodologies
Prevention Maintaining personal hygiene

Avoid sharing eating utensils

Consider sex protection

 Surgical operation for treatment
Curability All communicable diseases are curable except HIV/AIDs Cancer and diabetes do not have a specific cure
Diagnosis Accurate diagnostic tests are available No available accurate diagnostic tests
Relapse No period of relapse Multiple periods of relapse
Severity Less severe since they pose short term threats More severe and can lead to death
Symptoms Can be observed after two to three days It May take one or more years to observe symptoms
Organs affected Respiratory tracts Heart
Spread Through air and direct contact with contaminated surfaces Not contagious
Seasonality Infectious diseases are seasonal Might occur any time of the year. Not seasonal
Alternative name Infectious diseases Chronic diseases

What Is Communicable Disease?

It is a disease that is caused by infectious agents and can be transmitted from an infected person to another, animal or other.

Communicable diseases are also known as infectious diseases or transmissible diseases. The disease is transmitted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces, bodily fluids, or blood products.

Keep in mind that infectious diseases can be transmitted both directly and indirectly. Infectious agents destroy the immune system of the body.

Most communicable diseases are seasonal and the severity of the symptoms depends on the nature of the disease. Common symptoms of communicable diseases are diarrhea, fatigue, headache, fever.

These symptoms appear after a short period and the diseases are acute. Most communicable diseases are curable except HIV/AIDs.

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What Is Non-Communicable Disease?

These are diseases that are non-infectious and non-contagious. These diseases are mostly caused by changes in lifestyle and poor eating habits.

Non-communicable diseases are also known as non-contagious or non-infectious diseases. These diseases occur any time of the year and are not seasonal.

Examples of non-communicable diseases are cancer and diabetes. Most of these diseases are hereditary and are passed from parents to children.

Non-communicable diseases are severe and more fatal. There is no specific treatment for non-communicable diseases.

Proper eating habits and lifestyle help to prevent non-communicable diseases. Patients are required to consider regular checks.

Main Difference between Communicable and Non-communicable Disease

  1. Communicable diseases are infectious while non-communicable diseases are non-infectious.
  2. Communicable diseases are curable except for AIDs whereas non-communicable diseases are incurable.
  3. Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens whereas non-communicable diseases are caused by allergy, illness, or malnutrition.
  4. Infecting agents of communicable diseases are bacteria and viruses whereas non-communicable diseases lack infectious agents.
  5. Communicable diseases cannot be inherited whereas non-communicable diseases can be inherited.
  6. Communicable diseases can be treated using conventional methods whereas non-communicable diseases by surgical operations.
  7. Communicable diseases are acute whereas non-communicable diseases are chronic.
  8. Examples of communicable diseases are AIDs, Cholera, and Malaria whereas non-communicable diseases are allergies, heart diseases, or diabetes.

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In Conclusion

The core difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases is that one is fatal and the other one is not. The above is the basic distinction of communicable and non-communicable for class 5.

Research shows that 60% of world deaths are caused by non-communicable diseases. Communicable diseases are spread faster in developing and underdeveloped countries.

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