Communicable Diseases - Skin, Eye, & Nervous System

These flashcards cover important vocabulary and definitions related to communicable diseases affecting the skin, eyes, and nervous system.

Bacterial Meningitis

Infection that causes a decrease in glucose in the CSF due to bacterial consumption and inflammation reducing glucose transport.

Viral Meningitis

A type of meningitis where glucose levels in the CSF remain unchanged as it is caused only by a virus.

Spastic Paralysis

A condition characterized by exaggerated reflexes.

Flaccid Paralysis

A type of paralysis where reflexes are reduced or absent.

Herpes Simplex Virus

A virus with two types: HSV 1 (oral) and HSV 2 (genital).

Acute Infection

An infection with a sudden onset.

Chronic Infection

An infection that develops slowly over time.

Effusion

The buildup of fluids in a body cavity.

Cardiomegaly

Enlargement of the heart.

Diphtheria

An infection caused by corynebacterium diphtheriae, leading to the production of a toxin.

Resident Microbiome

Trillions of indigenous microbes that reside within the body and play a role in defense against pathogens.

Opportunistic Pathogens

Microbes that are harmless but can cause disease when the body's defenses are low.

Impetigo

A highly contagious skin infection often caused by staphylococcus aureus or streptococcus pyogenes, characterized by honey-yellow crusted lesions.

Furuncle

A deep infection of one hair follicle, also known as a boil.

Carbuncle

A cluster of merged furuncles, presenting as a painful, tender, and fluctuant collection of pus.

Erysipelas

A superficial skin infection with well-demarcated, raised borders and a shiny red appearance.

Cellulitis

A deeper infection with ill-defined, fuzzy borders, redness, warmth, and edema.

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection

A severe infection affecting muscle, fascia, and fat, characterized by disproportionate pain and systemic toxicity.

Conjunctivitis

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, often presented as pink eye.

Koplik Spots

Small white spots in the mouth, associated with measles.

Amoebic Keratitis

An eye infection caused by Acanthamoeba, associated with poor contact lens hygiene.

Acute Bacterial Meningitis

A medical emergency characterized by a classic triad of fever, headache, and photophobia.

Toxin-Mediated Diseases

Illnesses caused by toxins produced by infectious agents, such as tetanus and botulism.

Prion Diseases

Infectious diseases caused by prions, or infectious protein molecules.

Sepsis

Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection.

Infective Endocarditis

Inflammation of the endocardial surface usually involving heart valves.

Chagas Disease

A disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, transmitted by the