Studied by 52 people
What does an Epidemiologist do
They investigate health-related matters by gathering information, examining data, and looking for patterns. They then define issues of concern, determine causes, establish a timeline, and develop a solution.
What skills does an Epidemiologist need
Clinical medicine, pathology, biostatistics, and social science
Endemic
A disease present in a community or population within a specific geographical area
Example of an endemic
Malaria in Africa, South America, and Asia
Outbreak
A sudden increase of a disease in a localized area
Sporadic
A disease that occurs infrequently
Epidemic
When there is a sudden increase in a disease
Pandemic
An epidemic that has spread across several countries/continents
Nosocomial infection
A hospital-acquired infection
Agents of disease
The types of organisms that cause disease
Inherited disease
Genetic, from your family
Infectious disease
A disease that is contracted/caught
Infection
The establishment of a disease-causing microorganism within a host
Host
An organism that another organism lives in
Disease
The invasion and growth of a pathogen
Pathogens
Disease-causing organisms
Microbes
Microscopic agents of disease
Prion
Non-living, submicroscopic, proteins
How are prions contracted
Through consumption of tainted meat, or medical equipment, or by receiving corneas or organs from those infected
What damage do prions cause
They can cause brain proteins to fold abnormally
What is an example of a prion
Creutzfel-Jakob Disease(CJD)
What are the symptoms of Creutzfel-Jakob Disease (CJD)
It can result in dementia, walking difficulties, hallucinations, confusion, and death
Treatment of Prions
There is no cure, but medication can slow progression.
Prevention of Prions
You can prevent this disease by properly cleaning medical equipment, and telling people who have it to not donate corneas or organs.
Virus
Non-living microscopic agents made of an outer protein shell (capsid) and RNA or DNA
How are viruses contracted
It depends. Some can occur through touch, saliva, blood, or sexual contact.
Why do viruses infect hosts
They can’t replicate on their own so they need to infect a host to steal their protein synthesis process
What damage can be caused by a virus
The host’s cells and tissues are destroyed
How do you treat viruses
TAntivirals may be used sometimes and over-the-counter meds can relieve symptoms (pain relievers, decongestants, and cough syrup)
How do you prevent viruses
Vaccines and personal hygiene
What is an example of a virus
The influenza virus (the flu)
What are the symptoms of the flu
runny/stuffy nose, itchy/sore throat, cough, congestion, body/headaches, sneezing, watery eyes, low-grade fever, and fatigue
Bacteria
Living, microscopic, unicellular, prokaryotic organisms
How are bacteria contracted
It depends, it can occur through an orifice(nose, eyes, mouth), a wound, ingesting contaminated food/water, inhalation, sexual contact, or an imbalance of flora
What damage can bacteria cause
It can invade cells, cause tissue damage, and produce harmful toxins
How do you treat bacteria
Antibiotics
How do you prevent bacteria
Vaccines, keeping everything sanitary, and proper hygeine
What is an example of bacteria
Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis (TB)
What are symptoms of tuberculosis (TB)
It depends on where it is. It typically starts in the lungs and hosts typically experience a bad cough for 3+ weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood/phlegm, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, a lack of appetite, chills, and fever
Protists
Living, microscopic, single-celled, eukaryotic, animal-like organisms
How are protists contracted
Typically from ingestion of food.water contaminated with feces from an infected organism
What damage do protists cause
They infect the digestive tract, blood, or organs to deprive the host of nutrients. They can also cause tissue and organ damage.
How do you treat protists
Some can be treated with antiprotozoal medication
How do you prevent protists
Maintain sanitary conditions and personal hygiene
What is an example of a protist
Giardia lamblia causes giardiasis
How do protists survive
Before the parasites pass through stool, they become encased in cysts that can survive months. When they find a new host these cysts dissolve
What are symptoms of giardiasis
Diarrhea, gas, stomach cramps/pain, abnormal stool, upset stomach, nausea, and dehydration
Helminths
Living, multicellular, microscopic or macroscopic, eukaryotic worms
How are helminths contracted
Depends. It may occur through consumption of contaminated food or water or by being bitten by an insect
What damage do helminths cause
They deprive the host of nutrients and can cause tissue and organ damage
What is the treatment of helminths
Deworming medication
How do you prevent helminths
By avoiding the consumption of feces, ingestion of meat from those infected, and insect bites
What is an example of a helminth
Taenia (tapeworm infection)
What are the symptoms of taenia
Nausea, weight loss, abdomin pain, loss of apetite, diarrhea, and malnutrition. In invasive infections, hosts will have a fever, cystic masses/lumps, an allergic reaction to larvae, a bacterial infection, and neurological responses such as seizures.
Fungi
Living, multicellular, eukaryotic organisms. Includes yeast, mildew, mold, and mushrooms. Both microscopic and macroscopic varieties exist.
How are fungi contracted
Some forms infect when spores are inhaled or when they land on a host
What damage can fungi cause
It can result in tissue damage
How are fungi treated
Antifungals
How do you prevent fungi
By avoiding contact with an infected host
What is an example of fungi
Tinea pedis causes athlete’s foot
What causes athlete’s foot
Thick, tight shoes that squeeze the toes together and create a warm, moist area between them. Damp socks and shoes and warm, humid conditions help fungi grow
What are symptoms of athlete’s foot
Dryness, itching, stinging, burning, crackling and peeling skin, and blisters between toes or on soles of the feet. Toenails may be thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored, or peeling away at the nail bed.
Susceptible host
someone vulnerable to infection
Reservoir
the infected individual
Chain of infection
how a disease infects people/how it behaves
Direct contact
direct contact to susceptible host from an infected host through fluid
Indirect contact
when a susceptible host inhales infected particles, touches an infected object, or is bitten by an infected insect
Infectious dose
the number of organisms it takes to cause an illness
Immune system
a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from agents of disease
Innate immunity
nonspecific immune defense that we’re born with, it keeps the outside from coming in
Adaptive(acquired) immunity
specific immune defense, acquired over time and uses specific antibodies against antigens
Active immunity
acquired following infection and recovery or from a vaccine, the body makes its own antibodies
Passive immunity
from your mother
How is passive immunity acquired?
Through the placenta or breast milk
Antigen
anything that stimulates immune response, the protein coating on all cells
Antibody
a protein that impairs pathogens
Immunity
the ability to defend against a pathogen
Naturally acquired immunity
after someone is already infected and has T
Vaccine(artificially acquired immunity)
when someone is injected with a mild form of an infection in order to build up immunity
Herd immunity
artificial immunity in which most of the population is vaccinated
Simulation
a representation of a phenomenon, typically virtual, used to more safely study an event
Who’s a susceptible host?
Anyone, but especially children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and unimmunized people (unvaccinated people)
What are the portals of entry?
The skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urogenital, and conjunctive
What are the modes of transmission?
direct and indirect
What are the agents of disease?
Prions, bacteria, fungi, protists, helminths, and viruses
What are three reservoirs?
People, animals, and the environment
What are the portals of exit?
The skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urogenital, and conjunctive
What is the first line of defense?
The physical and chemical barriers
What are the physical barriers of the immune system?
The skin and mucus lining, organisms are stopped by the skin and the mucus lines organs and stops pathogens
What are the chemical barriers?
The lysosomes of the eyes, tears, and acid in the stomach, they kill the pathogens trying to gain entry
What is the second line of defense?
Inflammation (mast cells) and Leukocytes
What does the second line of defense do?
It searches for suspicious objects, and causes blood and white blood cells to attack it, it can do this with harmful and nonharmful invaders
What is an example of a nonharmful invader?
Dust
What is the chemical that signals inflammation?
Histamine
Phagocytes
Cell eaters, they destroy invaders
Macrophages
Eat unwanted pathogens, kill cancer cells
Where can you find Macrophages?
In specific organs, blood, or sites of infection
Natural killer
detects rogue/infected cwells, checks cells, and destroys broken ones
Dendritic cells
links systems and unsed for communication via antigens
Where are dendritic cells found?
In the nose and lungs
