Communicable Diseases, Pathogens, and Transmission Modes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards detailing communicable diseases, their causative agents, transmission routes, clinical manifestations, and characteristics based on the lecture review.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

An acute, mild, self-limiting viral skin infection caused by the Varicella (DNA) virus, transmitted by direct contact or airborne routes, which can be severely damaging to a fetus.

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

A reactivation of the varicella virus (Herpesviridae) causing inflammation of sensory ganglia of cutaneous sensory nerves, resulting in fluid-filled blisters, pain, and paresthesia.

German Measles (Rubella)

A mild, febrile viral disease caused by Rubella Virus (RNA) characterized by swollen lymph nodes and a fine, pinkish, flat rash that starts on the face and neck before spreading to the trunk and limbs.

Measles (Rubeola)

An acute, highly communicable viral disease caused by Rubeola Virus (RNA) presenting with fever, conjunctivitis, cough, photosensitivity, Koplik spots in the mouth, and a red blotchy rash.

Smallpox

A viral disease caused by Variola Virus (DNA) transmitted via respiratory routes or skin inoculation; recognized as the first human disease to be eradicated globally in nature.

Impetigo (Pyoderma)

A superficial bacterial skin infection caused by Staphylococcus Aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes that proceeds through vesicular, pustular, and encrusted blister stages, commonly around the nose or mouth.

Necrotizing Fasciitis

A 'flesh-eating' bacterial infection of the fascia caused by Streptococcus pyogenes entering through wounds, capable of rapid tissue destruction visible within an hour.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

A tickborne bacterial disease caused by Rickettsia Rickettsii, transmitted by the bite of an infected hard tick, presenting with fever, severe headache, and a non-itchy spotted rash spreading to the palms and soles.

Wool Sorter's Disease (Anthrax)

A bacterial disease caused by Bacillus Anthracis associated with sheep and wool factory workers, occurring in cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and inhalational forms.

Leishmaniasis

A parasitic infection caused by flagellated protozoa of the genus Leishmania, transmitted by sandfly vectors, having an intracellular amastigote form and an extracellular promastigote form.

Tinea Unguium (Onychomycosis)

A dermatophytosis fungal infection of the nails caused by Microsporum, Epidermophyton, or Trichophyton.

Leprosy (Hansen's Disease)

A chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium Leprae, carried by armadillos, chiefly affecting the skin, mucous membranes, and peripheral nerves in tuberculoid or lepromatous forms.

Tetanus (Lockjaw)

An acute neuromuscular disease caused by the bacterial exotoxin tetanospasmin from Clostridium Tetani, presenting with jaw and neck stiffness, abdominal rigidity, and painful muscle spasms.

Poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis)

A viral disease caused by Poliovirus (RNA) transmitted via the fecal-oral route or throat secretions, which in about 1% of patients progresses to severe muscle stiffness and flaccid paralysis.

Rabies

An acute viral encephalomyelitis of mammals caused by Rabies virus (RNA), transmitted through animal bites, presenting with delirium, hydrophobia, aerophobia, salivation, and ascending paralysis.

African Trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness)

A parasitic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly, caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (lasting years) or Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (rapidly fatal within weeks or months).

American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease)

A parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma Cruzi transmitted by kissing bugs (reduviid bugs), presenting acutely with bite site inflammation, fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly.

Trachoma

A contagious conjunctival infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, transmitted by direct contact, towels, or flies, leading to scarring of the cornea and conjunctiva, eyelid deformation, and blindness.

Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)

An acute zoonosis caused by Francisella Tularensis, acquired from rabbits or game animals via tick bites or contaminated meat, presenting typically as a skin ulcer, lymphadenitis, or pneumonia.

Cholera

An acute diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio Cholerae spread through contaminated aquatic sources and the fecal-oral route, characterized by profuse watery stools, vomiting, and rapid dehydration.

Typhoid Fever (Enteric Fever)

A systemic bacterial disease caused by Salmonella Typhi transmitted via the fecal-oral route, presenting with fever, severe headache, malaise, anorexia, cough, constipation, and a rash on the trunk.

Shigellosis (Bacillary Dysentery)

An acute bacterial infection of the lining of the small and large intestine caused by Shigella species, producing diarrhea (up to 20 bowel movements a day) with blood, mucus, and pus.

Mumps (Infectious Parotitis)

An acute viral infection caused by Mumps Virus (RNA) characterized by fever and tender swelling of salivary glands, with potential complications like orchitis, oophoritis, and pancreatitis.

Giardiasis

A protozoal infection of the duodenum caused by Giardia Duodenalis (Giardia lamblia), characterized by steatorrhea (loose, pale, malodorous, fatty stools), cramps, gas, and weight loss.

Amebiasis (Amebic Dysentery)

A protozoal gastrointestinal infection caused by Entamoeba Histolytica transmitted via ingestion of cysts from fecally contaminated food, water, or flies, presenting with dysentery, colitis, and chills.

Scarlet Fever (Scarlatina)

A bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus pyogenes producing erythrogenic toxins, characterized by fever, a diffuse rash beginning on the chest, and a strawberry red tongue.

Diphtheria

An acute, contagious upper respiratory tract bacterial disease caused by Corynebacterium Diphtheriae that primarily involves mucous membranes, throat, skin, and conjunctivae; preventable via DTP/DTaP vaccine.

Atypical Pneumonia (Walking Pneumonia)

A bacterial lower respiratory tract infection caused by Mycoplasma Pneumoniae with an insidious onset, featuring headache, fever, dry cough, and X-ray abnormalities exceeding physical symptoms.

Legionnaires' Disease (Legionellosis)

An acute bacterial pneumonia caused by Legionella Pneumophila transmitted through aerosols from environmental water sources such as cooling towers, whirlpool baths, and showers.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

An acute bacterial childhood infection caused by Bordetella Pertussis, characterized by fits of severe coughing ending in a prolonged high-pitched breath, vomiting, and petechiae.

Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

A fungal respiratory infection caused by Coccidioides Immitis, contracted through the inhalation of arthrospores from soil, which may progress to a fatal disseminated form.

Histoplasmosis

A systemic fungal disease caused by inhalation of Histoplasma Capsulatum conidia from moist, nitrogen-rich soil, commonly presenting with fever, chills, myalgia, and nonproductive cough.

Syphilis

A multistage sexually transmitted bacterial disease caused by Treponema Pallidum, progressing from a primary painless chancre to secondary widespread rash and a latent stage.

Trichomoniasis

A sexually transmitted protozoal infection caused by Trichomonas Vaginalis, presenting in women with vulvar itching, burning, and heavy, unpleasant-smelling greenish-yellow discharge.

Thrush

A fungal yeast infection of the oral cavity caused by Candida Albicans, featuring white, creamy patches on the tongue, mucous membranes, and corners of the mouth.