Differences Between Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases?

Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases Explained | Causes & Prevention 

Among the various types of diseases, infectious and non-infectious are the most common. They differ significantly in treatment and care approaches. Knowing the differences will help you identify potential symptoms. 

Overview of Infectious and Non-infectious Diseases 

Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi primarily cause infectious diseases. However, non-infectious diseases are influenced by environmental factors and cannot spread from one person to another. They are also known as communicable and non-communicable diseases, respectively. 

Key Differences between Infectious & Non-Infectious Disease 

To understand their nature, we must differentiate between the key aspects of the diseases. Here is a comparison table for the same: 

Types of Infectious Disease 

Infectious diseases can be classified based on the pathogen that causes them. Let us discuss below: 

Bacterial Infections 

Single-celled microorganisms cause bacterial infections. Examples include: 

• Tuberculosis (TB) 
• Strep throat 
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) 
• Typhoid fever 

Viral Infections 

Viral infections are caused by viruses, which are smaller than bacteria and replicate only inside living host cells. Examples of viral infections are: 

• Influenza (flu) 
• HIV/AIDS 
• COVID-19 
• Hepatitis B/C 

Fungal Infections 

Yeasts and moulds are the primary cause of fungal infections. Some examples are: 

• Ringworm 
• Candidiasis 
• Aspergillosis 

Parasitic Infections 

Parasite live on or in the host bodies and obtain nourishment from them. Examples are given below: 

• Malaria 
• Toxoplasmosis 
• Giardiasis 
• Trichomoniasis 

Prion Diseases 

Prion Diseases also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are mainly caused by faulty proteins that lead other protein become faulty too. However, Prions are an extremely rare and are not spread through routine person‑to‑person contact; transmission occurs only in exceptional circumstances such as contaminated medical instruments or specific food exposures. 

Symptoms of Infectious Diseases 

Symptoms of infectious diseases vary depending on the type of infection and the organs involved. Fungal infections generally cause symptoms like itching and rashes. While, bacterial and viral infections can show symptoms in many areas of your body, such as cough, chills, fever, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, headache, muscles ache and stuffy or runny nose etc. 

How do Communicable Diseases Spread? 

Different infections spread in different ways, including: 

• From one person to another through cough or sneeze 
• From contaminated water or food 
• From working with contaminated sand or soil during gardening 
• Having close contact with another person, such as sexual contact (oral, vaginal, or anal), and in limited cases, close personal contact like kissing, depending on the infection 
• By contacting with poop from a person or animal with an infectious disease 
• Sharing utensils or cups with another person 
• Through animal bites or bugs 

From a pregnant woman to the new-born or foetus 

Types of Non-infectious Diseases 

Non-infectious diseases are not caused by living organisms. There are several types of them. Let us discuss some of them below: 

Genetic or Hereditary Diseases 

Abnormalities in genes or chromosomes passed from parents to offspring cause genetic disease. For example: 

• Down syndrome 
• Cystic fibrosis 
• Thalassaemia 
• Sickle cell anaemia 

Lifestyle Diseases 

Unhealthy habits such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, or alcohol consumption can cause lifestyle-related diseases. 

Examples include: 

• Type 2 diabetes 
• Heart disease 
• Liver cirrhosis 
• Obesity 

Nutritional Deficiency Diseases 

Lack of essential nutrients in the diet, such as vitamins, minerals, and protein, may cause nutritional deficiency diseases. These include: 

• Rickets 
• Scurvy 
• Anaemia 
• Kwashiorkor and Marasmus 

Preventing Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases 

Infectious and non-infectious diseases are preventable, to a certain extent. By practising proper hygiene, you can limit your contact with bacteria and viruses. Moreover, drink clean water and cover your face when sneezing or coughing. 

Non-infectious diseases are mainly caused by lifestyle choices. Therefore, ensure that you follow a proper diet enriched with essential nutrients. If you smoke, quit smoking. It is one of the leading causes of cancer in the world. 

Knowing the difference between infectious and non-infectious diseases is crucial. Their differences help you understand potential symptoms and act on them. 

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