Unit 8 Enteric Diseases

Flashcards covering key concepts and terminology related to enteric diseases for review before the exam.

Enteric Diseases

Diseases that affect the intestinal tract, typically caused by pathogens.

Incubation Period

The time between exposure to a pathogen and the appearance of symptoms.

Mode of Transmission

The method by which a pathogen is spread from one host to another.

Differentiating Symptoms

Symptoms that help to distinguish one disease from another.

Period of Communicability

The time frame during which an infected individual can transmit the pathogen to others.

Giardia

A protozoan parasite that commonly causes gastrointestinal infections, often transmitted through contaminated water.

Shigella

A bacteria that causes diarrhea, often characterized by blood or pus in the stool, highly transmissible especially in certain populations.

Salmonella

A bacteria often associated with foodborne illness, typically not treated with antibiotics to avoid a carrier state.

Category 1 Reportable Disease

Diseases that must be reported immediately to the health department due to their urgent nature.

Category 2 Reportable Disease

Diseases that have a less urgent reporting time frame, allowing 72 hours for providers to submit.

Exclusion Criteria

Guidelines that define when an individual must refrain from work to prevent disease transmission.

Attack Rate

The proportion of exposed individuals who develop the disease during an outbreak.

Relative Risk

A measure that compares the risk of a health event among one group with the risk among another group.

Endemic

A disease or condition regularly found and consistently present in a particular geographic area.

Epidemic

A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, typically affecting a large number of people.

Incarcerated Populations

Groups of individuals currently imprisoned, often at higher risk for specific diseases like Shigella.

Flagyl

An antibiotic used to treat Giardia infections.

Bactrim/Cipro

Antibiotics used to treat Shigella infections.

Hand Washing

A critical prevention measure that reduces the spread of infectious diseases, especially before and after food preparation.