Infectious Diseases Lecture Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering infectious diseases, their causative agents, clinical manifestations, treatments, and nursing considerations based on lecture notes.

Rubella (German Measles)

A viral infection caused by the Rubella virus, transmitted via respiratory droplets, characterized by a pink maculopapular rash (face to extremities) and post-auricular & occipital lymphadenopathy.

Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS)

A condition resulting from rubella infection during pregnancy (highest risk in 1st trimester) involving cataracts, PDA, sensorineural deafness, and a "blueberry muffin" rash.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The Gram-negative intracellular diplococci organism responsible for Gonorrhea.

Ceftriaxone IM

The drug of choice for treating Gonorrhea, often combined with doxycycline if chlamydia is not excluded.

Ophthalmia neonatorum

A neonatal eye infection occurring $2-5$ days after birth characterized by profuse purulent discharge; treated with Ceftriaxone and NS eye irrigation.

Hepatitis A

A liver infection transmitted via the fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water) that does not result in a chronic carrier state.

HBsAg

The serum marker for Hepatitis B; its presence is also required for a Hepatitis D infection to occur.

HBIG (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin)

A post-exposure prophylaxis for Hepatitis B that should ideally be administered within $24$ hours.

Hepatocellular carcinoma

A chronic complication associated with long-term Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections.

HSV-1

Oral herpes typically spread by kissing or sharing utensils, which remains dormant in sensory nerve ganglia and may cause erythema multiforme.

HSV-2

A common sexually transmitted disease (Genital herpes) characterized by painful vesicles and dysuria; the virus can spread even without obvious lesions.

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

The reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) due to aging, stress, or immunosuppression, resulting in dermatomal vesicles.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

A complication of Herpes Zoster involving Cranial Nerve VII ($CN\,VII$).

Postherpetic neuralgia

A complication of Shingles characterized by pain that persists for months to years.

Hookworm

Infection caused by Ancylostoma duodenale or Necator americanus; entry occurs through the skin (walking barefoot) and causes iron deficiency anemia.

Reye syndrome

A dangerous condition that can occur if aspirin is given to patients under $16$ years of age following an Influenza infection.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

An antiviral for Influenza and Avian Influenza that should be administered within $48$ hours of symptom onset.

Mycobacterium leprae

The organism responsible for causing Leprosy.

Lepromatous Leprosy

The most infectious form of leprosy characterized by Leonine facies, symmetrical lesions, and a positive skin smear for AFB.

Clofazimine

A drug used in the multi-drug therapy (MDT) for Leprosy that causes brown-black skin discoloration.

Leptospirosis

A bacterial infection spread via rat urine and exposure to floodwater or sewers, commonly affecting the kidneys.

Weil disease

A severe form of Leptospirosis characterized by a triad of fever, jaundice, and renal failure.

Anopheles

The genus of the female mosquito responsible for the transmission of Malaria.

Falciparum Malaria

A dangerous form of malaria involving sequestration in post-capillary vessels and potential cerebral malaria (seizures).

Koplik spots

Small spots on the buccal mucosa opposite the second molars, appearing $1-2$ days before the Measles (Rubeola) rash.

Kernig Sign

A clinical sign of Meningitis where the patient experiences pain upon knee extension.

Brudzinski Sign

A clinical sign of Meningitis where neck flexion involuntarily triggers hip and knee flexion.

Mannitol

An osmotic diuretic used to treat cerebral edema in cases of Meningitis.

Infectious Mononucleosis

Also known as "Kissing disease," caused by EBV (Epstein-Barr Virus), characterized by fatigue and cervical lymphadenopathy; a potential complication is Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Mumps

An infection causing parotitis (swollen salivary glands) and orchitis (swollen testes), often associated with elevated serum amylase.

Pediculosis Capitis

Head lice infestation characterized by nits within $6\,mm$ of the scalp; unwashable items should be sealed for $2$ weeks.

Pertussis

Also known as Whooping cough; includes a paroxysmal stage with cyanosis and tongue protrusion.

Clostridium tetani

The anaerobic bacterium causing Tetanus, which can enter neonates via the umbilical stump.

Risus sardonicus

The "grinning face" appearance caused by muscle spasms in Tetanus.

Opisthotonos

The backward arching of the back seen in severe cases of Meningitis and Tetanus.