Diseases illness and sickness are notions reflecting the negative occurrences in human life. With example explain their six major difference based on who perceives these negative occurrences?

1. Diseases: Diseases are objective medical conditions that are diagnosed by healthcare professionals based on symptoms, tests, and medical history. They are typically recognized as physical abnormalities or dysfunctions in the body that require medical treatment. For example, a doctor may diagnose a patient with diabetes based on blood sugar levels and symptoms.

2. Illness: Illness is a subjective experience of feeling unwell or experiencing discomfort. It is often self-reported by individuals based on their own perceptions of their physical or mental state. For example, someone may feel ill due to a headache or stomachache, even if there is no underlying medical condition causing these symptoms.

3. Sickness: Sickness is a broader term that can encompass both diseases and illnesses. It refers to a state of being unwell or unhealthy, whether due to a specific medical condition or general feelings of discomfort. Sickness can be perceived by both the individual experiencing symptoms and by others who observe their condition.

4. Healthcare professionals: Healthcare professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and therapists, perceive diseases as specific medical conditions that require diagnosis and treatment. They rely on medical knowledge and diagnostic tools to identify and address diseases in their patients.

5. Individuals: Individuals perceive illnesses and sickness based on their own subjective experiences of feeling unwell. They may self-diagnose minor ailments or seek medical help for more serious conditions based on their symptoms and how they are affecting their daily life.

6. Society: Society may perceive diseases, illnesses, and sickness as negative occurrences that impact individuals and communities. Public health efforts, healthcare policies, and social norms all play a role in how these negative occurrences are perceived and addressed on a larger scale.

Six Major Differences in Perceptions of Illness, Disease, and Sickness

1. Source of Perception

- Disease: Perceived by medical professionals based on objective diagnostic criteria
- Illness: Perceived by individuals experiencing symptoms
- Sickness: Perceived by society based on cultural norms and values

2. Focus

- Disease: Focuses on the biological or physical abnormalities
- Illness: Focuses on the subjective experience of symptoms
- Sickness: Focuses on the social and cultural consequences

3. Severity

- Disease: Can range from mild to life-threatening
- Illness: Varies in intensity and duration, often categorized as acute or chronic
- Sickness: Typically refers to serious conditions that disrupt daily life

4. Responsibility

- Disease: Often attributed to external factors (e.g., infection, genetics)
- Illness: May be attributed to both external and internal factors (e.g., stress, lifestyle choices)
- Sickness: Often stigmatized and associated with personal failure or weakness

5. Treatment

- Disease: Typically treated with medical interventions (e.g., medication, surgery)
- Illness: May be treated with a combination of medical and non-medical approaches (e.g., rest, self-care)
- Sickness: May require societal support and intervention (e.g., disability benefits, social services)

6. Outcome

- Disease: Cure or management possible, depending on severity
- Illness: Recovery or symptom improvement
- Sickness: May have long-term impacts on health, well-being, and social status

Example:

A person with a high fever, chills, and cough may:

- Be diagnosed with influenza (disease) by a doctor based on symptoms and lab tests.
- Feel sick and experience illness due to the discomfort and impairment caused by the infection.
- Be perceived as sick by family, friends, and colleagues who observe their symptoms and restricted activities.