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What is the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases? Explain with examples.
Updated: 09-May-2025

Communicable diseases are infections that spread from person to person, while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are not contagious and typically arise from genetic, lifestyle, or environmental factors.

Communicable Diseases:

  • Caused by pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites.

  • Spread via air (tuberculosis), water (cholera), direct contact (COVID-19), or vectors (malaria).

  • Examples:

    • Tuberculosis: Bacterial infection affecting the lungs.

    • COVID-19: Viral respiratory illness caused by SARS-CoV-2.

    • HIV/AIDS: Spread through blood, sexual contact.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):

  • Caused by lifestyle, heredity, environmental exposure, and aging.

  • Examples:

    • Diabetes: Affects insulin production.

    • Hypertension: Increased blood pressure due to poor lifestyle.

    • Cancer: Uncontrolled cell growth.

Key Differences:

Feature Communicable Non-Communicable
Cause Pathogens Genetics/Lifestyle
Spread Person to person Not contagious
Prevention Hygiene, vaccination Diet, exercise, no smoking
Examples Malaria, TB, HIV Cancer, Diabetes, Asthma
India is tackling both through schemes like Ayushman Bharat, U-WIN platform (for vaccination), and the National Health Mission.
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