Question

1. Explain how heredity and family medical history can play a role in an individual’s personal health. Include examples in your explanation.
2.Explain how pathogens are spread by coughing and sneezing. What can be done to prevent the spread of these diseases?

3.People’s choices can sometimes have negative effects on their own health, as well as the health or well-being of others. Describe two of these choices, explaining how they can impact the individual and others.

Answer 1

1.  Genetically passing on of physical or mental traits from one generation to another is called heredity.  There are some diseases and health conditions that can be inherited and passed on, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer. Thus, knowing the medical history of your family plays an important role in your personal health.

2.  Pathogens refer to any bacterium, virus or other microorganisms that can cause illness. Some pathogens may be airborne and can be passed on through coughing and sneezing.  Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, wearing a face mask and frequent hand washing are some of the ways to prevent the spread of these diseases.

3. Getting vaccinated or not is one of the hottest debatable topics nowadays. For example, though there have been various case studies and research studies that were done to prove that vaccination has lowered cases of measles and polio, there are still some parents who are hesitant to give their children the MMR and polio vaccines. 

Some parents have even gone as far as spreading unsupported claims on how vaccines can trigger autism and can cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

In the Philippines, the cases of elementary students who were claimed to have died of 
Dengvaxia (vaccine to fight against Dengue) has caused wide panic among parents. As a result, there are parents who decided not to give their children MMR shots, which eventually caused measle outbreak in some parts of the country.