Starter: “What type of infection is it?”
In BTEC, you’re expected to identify, describe, and explain disease causes and spread. Let’s begin with what people commonly get wrong.
Prompt
Someone has a sore throat, fever, and body aches. They want antibiotics immediately.
- Is it always bacterial?
- What information would you need before deciding?
Your job today
- Recognize the 4 pathogen groups (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites)
- Connect each group to examples, transmission, and treatment
- Use clues to classify real scenarios
Student Input (Saved locally)
Type quick notes—these save to this browser when you click Save Notes.
The 4 Main Types of Infections
Open each card and learn the essentials: cause → examples → treatment → typical locations.
Bacterial infection
Caused by bacteria (living single-celled organisms).
| Examples | Strep throat, TB, Salmonella food poisoning |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Often antibiotics (only if bacterial) |
| Notes | Antibiotic misuse can cause resistance |
Viral infection
Caused by viruses (need host cells to replicate).
| Examples | Flu (influenza), COVID-19, HIV |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Antibiotics do not work; antivirals/supportive care |
| Notes | Often spread quickly through droplets/contact |
Fungal infection
Caused by fungi (yeasts/moulds), often on skin or moist areas.
| Examples | Athlete’s foot, ringworm, thrush |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Antifungal creams/tablets |
| Notes | Warm + moist environments increase risk |
Parasitic infection
Caused by a parasite living on or inside a host.
| Examples | Malaria, tapeworm, head lice |
|---|---|
| Treatment | Antiparasitic medication (varies) |
| Notes | Often spread by vectors (e.g., mosquitoes) or contaminated food/water |
Quick Check: “Which type is it?”
Transmission: How infections spread
Match the route with a realistic example. (BTEC focuses on real-life application.)
- Direct contact (skin-to-skin, touching lesions)
- Droplet / airborne (coughing, sneezing, crowded spaces)
- Food & water (contamination, poor hygiene)
- Vectors (mosquitoes, ticks)
- Bodily fluids (blood, sexual contact, shared needles)
- Poor hand hygiene
- Sharing personal items (towels, razors)
- Uncooked food / unsafe water
- No protective measures (nets, repellant)
- Weak immune system / chronic illness
Match Activity
Choose the best transmission route for each scenario.
Compare & Classify
Use the clues to classify the infection type and choose the best treatment approach.
Use this logic:
Antibiotics → only for bacterial (when appropriate).
Antivirals → some viral infections (otherwise supportive).
Antifungals → fungal infections.
Antiparasitics → parasitic infections.
Scenario Sort (5 items)
Case Study Investigation (BTEC Applied Task)
Work like a health assistant: read the case, identify likely infection type, justify with evidence, then recommend treatment and prevention.
Symptoms: Itchy feet, peeling skin between toes, strong odour after sports.
Clues: Uses shared locker room, damp socks.
Symptoms: Fever cycles, chills, headache, fatigue after travel.
Clues: Many mosquito bites; symptoms start 1–3 weeks later.
Symptoms: Cough, fever, sore muscles; many classmates also sick.
Clues: Spread rapidly in a week; no lab test yet.
Assessment & Exit Ticket
Complete the quiz, then generate a short summary you can submit or screenshot.