#3.2.1a
how pathogens (including bacteria, viruses and fungi) cause communicable disease
To include an outline of the general mechanisms of pathogenicity by bacteria (toxin production), viruses (taking over cell metabolism) and fungi (enzyme secretion).
#3.2.1b
the causes, means of transmission, symptoms and the principal treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS
To include droplet infection, details of primary and secondary TB and also opportunistic infections (HIV-AIDS).
#3.2.1c
the structure of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
To include the use of diagrams showing the location of enzymes and the nature of the genetic material.
#3.2.1d
(i) the use of Gram stain, cell and colony morphology to identify bacteria
(ii) the culturing of bacteria and the identification of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using the Gram staining method on pure cultures
#3.2.1e
how the incidence and prevalence of a communicable disease can change over time
To include the principles of endemic communicable diseases (e.g. chickenpox in the UK), epidemics (e.g. SARS in China, 2002) and pandemics (e.g. H1N1 influenza in 2009).
#3.2.1f
calculations of incidence rates, prevalence rates and mortality rates and their importance in epidemiology
#3.2.1g
the analysis, interpretation and use of epidemiological data
To include the evaluation of graphical data to assess the impact of disease e.g. for HIV and TB infection.
#3.2.1h
the importance of reporting notifiable diseases and the role of Public Health England, formerly known as the Health Protection Agency (HPA)
To include examples of notifiable diseases.
#3.2.1i
the social, ethical, economic and biological factors involved in the attempts to control and prevent diseases in the context of HIV/AIDS and TB