Infectious Diseases and Immunizations

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about infectious diseases, modes of transmission, and immunizations.

Host

A person or other living animal that affords subsistence or lodgment to an infectious agent under natural conditions.

Incubation Period

The time interval between initial contact with an infectious organism and the first appearance of symptoms.

Infection

The entry and development or multiplication of an infectious agent in the body.

Infectious Agent

An organism capable of producing infection or infectious disease.

Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)

The standard method for detecting latent TB infection.

Nosocomial Infection

An infection occurring in a patient in a hospital or other healthcare facility that was not present or incubating at the time of admission.

Portal of Entry

The means of entry for an infectious agent.

Susceptible Host

A person or animal not possessing sufficient resistance against a particular infectious agent to prevent contracting infection or disease when exposed.

Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)

A contagious disease transmitted by sexual contact.

Mode of Transmission

Describes the mechanisms by which the infectious agent is spread to humans.

Hepatitis

A Disease or condition marked by inflammation of the liver.

Hepatitis A (HAV)

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus and is highly contagious.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus and is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from an infected person enters the body of someone not infected.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

A liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus and is a blood-borne virus.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually attacks the lungs.

Gonorrhea

Caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhea bacterium; infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract, mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum.

Chlamydia

A common sexually transmitted disease caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis; can cause cervicitis in women and urethritis and proctitis in both men and women.

Syphilis

A sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum; can cause long-term complications if not adequately treated.

Genital Herpes

A sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2).

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Caused by certain body fluids, such as blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk and sharing needles. Transmitted through sexual behaviors.

Immunizations

Vaccines have resulted in global eradication of smallpox, elimination of poliomyelitis, and dramatic reductions in the incidence rates of other diseases.

Anaphylaxis

A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST)

The standard method of determining whether a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.