Causes of Human Disease: Transmitting and Fighting Infection

FutureLearn Causes of Human Disease: Transmitting and Fighting Infection

Platform
FutureLearn
Provider
University of Leeds
Effort
4 hours/week
Length
2 weeks
Language
English
Credentials
Paid Certificate Available
Part of
Course Link
Overview
Discover how infection spreads.
Most of us have experienced common diseases like flu or less common ones like pneumonia. On this course, you’ll learn how pathogens cause infectious diseases and how these diseases are transmitted. You’ll examine the bacterial resistance to antibiotics, how this leads to serious infections like MRSA and reflect on approaches to address this problem. You’ll learn how the body’s immune system fights off disease and how resistance is gained. You’ll apply this knowledge to explore why immunisation has been crucial in reducing the occurrence of disease or even eradicating deadly diseases.

The course is suitable for anyone with a general interest in the science behind causes of human disease. No previous knowledge or experience is required. If you are working in nursing, healthcare or social care, or just wish to learn more, this course is designed to support you as a professional. By completing all aspects of the course you will have achieved 14 hours of CPD time.

What topics will you cover?
  • Causes of infectious diseases
  • The differences between bacteria, viruses and parasites and how they cause infectious diseases
  • How infectious diseases are transmitted
  • How antibiotics work and the challenges of antibiotic resistance in the treatment of bacterial diseases
  • The basic components of the immune system, and the innate and adaptive immune responses
  • What immunisation is and how it works

Taught by
Michael Routledge
Author
FutureLearn
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