Pathogens and Diseases Overview

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering various pathogens, diseases, their causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventive measures.

Tetanus

1. Common Name: Lock jaw
2. Organs Affected: Nervous system, lungs, cardiovascular system
3. Agent: Clostridium tetani
4. Agent Type: Bacterium
5. Vaccine: Yes (DTaP, Tdap, Td)
6. Cure: Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG) and antibiotics
7. Symptoms: Jaw stiffness, muscle spasms, trouble swallowing, fever
8. Symptom Treatment: Muscle relaxants and supportive care
9. Transmission: Contamination of skin wounds with soil, dust, or animal manure

Botulism

1. Common Name: Botulism
2. Organs Affected: Nervous system, muscles, digestive system
3. Agent: Clostridium botulinum
4. Agent Type: Bacteria (spores)
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Antitoxin
7. Symptoms: Droopy eyelids, blurred/double vision, slurred speech
8. Symptom Treatment: Mechanical ventilation for breathing support
9. Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated food (botulinum toxin), wound contamination, or infant ingestion of honey spores

Trypanosomiasis (African & American)

1. Common Name: Sleeping Sickness (African); Chagas Disease (American)
2. Organs Affected: Blood, lymph nodes, brain (African); heart, esophagus, colon (American)
3. Agent: Trypanosoma brucei (African); Trypanosoma cruzi (American)
4. Agent Type: Protist (Parasite)
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Antiparasitic drugs (e.g., suramin, benznidazole)
7. Symptoms: Insomnia, fever (African); heart failure, swelling (American)
8. Symptom Treatment: Supportive therapy and cardiac management
9. Transmission: Tsetse fly bite (African); Triatomine bug ("kissing bug") feces entering eye or wound (American)

West Nile Virus (WNV)

1. Common Name: WNV
2. Organs Affected: Central nervous system (brain, spinal cord)
3. Agent: West Nile Virus
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: No (for humans)
6. Cure: No specific cure; body must clear the virus
7. Symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, rash; meningitis/encephalitis in severe cases
8. Symptom Treatment: Over-the-counter pain relievers and IV fluids
9. Transmission: Bite from an infected mosquito that has fed on infected birds

Cryptococcal Meningoencephalitis

1. Common Name: Cryptococcal Meningitis
2. Organs Affected: Central nervous system (meninges and brain)
3. Agent: Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii
4. Agent Type: Fungus
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Intravenous antifungal medications (e.g., Amphotericin B)
7. Symptoms: Headache, fever, stiff neck, light sensitivity
8. Symptom Treatment: Pain management and reduction of intracranial pressure
9. Transmission: Inhalation of fungal spores from the environment, often associated with bird droppings (pigeon)

Toxoplasmosis

1. Common Name: Toxoplasmosis
2. Organs Affected: Brain, eyes, muscles
3. Agent: Toxoplasma gondii
4. Agent Type: Protist (Parasite)
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Antiparasitic combinations (Pyrimethamine and Sulfadiazine)
7. Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms; severe brain damage in immunocompromised patients
8. Symptom Treatment: Anti-inflammatory medications
9. Transmission: Fecal-oral (contact with cat feces), ingestion of undercooked contaminated meat, or mother-to-child transit during pregnancy

Rabies

1. Common Name: Hydrophobia
2. Organs Affected: Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord)
3. Agent: Rabies Virus (RABV)
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: Yes (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis - PEP)
6. Cure: Fatal once symptoms appear; cured only by immediate PEP before symptoms
7. Symptoms: Hallucinations, hydrophobia (fear of water), agitation, paralysis
8. Symptom Treatment: Sedation and palliative supportive care
9. Transmission: Direct contact with saliva from an infected animal (bites or scratches)

Zika Virus

1. Common Name: Zika
2. Organs Affected: Fetal brain (microcephaly), various tissues, nervous system
3. Agent: Zika Virus
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: No specific cure; supportive only
7. Symptoms: Fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes (conjunctivitis)
8. Symptom Treatment: Rest, fluids, and acetaminophen for pain/fever
9. Transmission: Bite from an infected Aedes mosquito, sexual contact, or mother-to-child during pregnancy

Influenza

1. Common Name: The Flu
2. Organs Affected: Respiratory system (nose, throat, lungs)
3. Agent: Influenza Virus
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: Yes (Annual flu shot)
6. Cure: Antiviral drugs (e.g., Oseltamivir) can shorten duration
7. Symptoms: Fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches
8. Symptom Treatment: Rest, hydration, and NSAIDs for body aches
9. Transmission: Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, and touching contaminated surfaces

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

1. Common Name: Strep throat
2. Organs Affected: Throat and tonsils
3. Agent: Streptococcus pyogenes
4. Agent Type: Bacterium
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Antibiotics (e.g., Penicillin or Amoxicillin)
7. Symptoms: Severe sore throat, fever, red/swollen tonsils, white patches
8. Symptom Treatment: Throat lozenges, salt-water gargles, and pain relievers
9. Transmission: Respiratory droplets or direct contact with mucus from an infected person

Tuberculosis (TB)

1. Common Name: TB or Consumption
2. Organs Affected: Lungs (primary), but can spread to kidneys/spine/brain
3. Agent: Mycobacterium tuberculosis
4. Agent Type: Bacterium
5. Vaccine: Yes (BCG vaccine; used in high-risk areas)
6. Cure: Long-term regimen of combined antibiotics (e.g., Isoniazid, Rifampin)
7. Symptoms: Chronic cough (often bloody), chest pain, night sweats, weight loss
8. Symptom Treatment: Supplemental oxygen and nutritional support
9. Transmission: Airborne droplets dispersed when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks

Pertussis

1. Common Name: Whooping cough
2. Organs Affected: Respiratory system
3. Agent: Bordetella pertussis
4. Agent Type: Bacterium
5. Vaccine: Yes (DTaP for children, Tdap for boosters)
6. Cure: Antibiotics (e.g., Azithromycin or Clarithromycin)
7. Symptoms: Severe, uncontrollable coughing fits followed by a 'whooping' sound
8. Symptom Treatment: Mist humidifiers and fluids to loosen mucus
9. Transmission: Highly contagious respiratory droplets spread by coughing or sneezing

Diphtheria

1. Common Name: Diphtheria
2. Organs Affected: Throat and upper respiratory tract; can affect heart/nerves
3. Agent: Corynebacterium diphtheriae
4. Agent Type: Bacterium
5. Vaccine: Yes (DTaP)
6. Cure: Diphtheria antitoxin and antibiotics
7. Symptoms: Grayish-white pseudomembrane in throat, sore throat, swollen neck glands
8. Symptom Treatment: Airway management and isolation
9. Transmission: Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or direct contact with skin sores

Conjunctivitis

1. Common Name: Pink eye
2. Organs Affected: Eyes (the conjunctiva lining)
3. Agent: Various viruses (Adenovirus) or bacteria (S. aureus)
4. Agent Type: Virus or Bacterium
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Bacterial: Antibiotic drops; Viral: Self-resolving
7. Symptoms: Redness, itching, burning sensation, yellow/green discharge
8. Symptom Treatment: Warm compresses and artificial tears
9. Transmission: Direct or indirect contact with eye discharge from an infected person (e.g., fingers, towels, cosmetics)

Hepatitis A

1. Common Name: Hep A
2. Organs Affected: Liver
3. Agent: Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: Yes
6. Cure: No specific cure; usually self-resolving
7. Symptoms: Jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain
8. Symptom Treatment: Rest, balanced nutrition, and avoiding alcohol
9. Transmission: Fecal-oral route, usually via ingestion of contaminated food or water

Hepatitis B

1. Common Name: Hep B
2. Organs Affected: Liver
3. Agent: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: Yes
6. Cure: No definitive cure for chronic, but manageable with antivirals
7. Symptoms: Yellowing of skin/eyes, joint pain, clay-colored stools
8. Symptom Treatment: Suppressive antiviral therapy and immune boosters
9. Transmission: Contact with infectious blood or body fluids (e.g., sexual contact, sharing needles, or from mother to child at birth)

Hepatitis C

1. Common Name: Hep C
2. Organs Affected: Liver
3. Agent: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) - highly effective cure
7. Symptoms: Often asymptomatic for years; fatigue, jaundice upon liver damage
8. Symptom Treatment: Lifestyle adjustments to protect liver health
9. Transmission: Blood-to-blood contact, primarily through sharing needles or unregulated tattoos/piercings

Mumps

1. Common Name: Mumps
2. Organs Affected: Salivary glands (parotid glands)
3. Agent: Mumps Virus
4. Agent Type: Virus
5. Vaccine: Yes (MMR vaccine)
6. Cure: No specific antiviral; self-resolving
7. Symptoms: Swollen salivary glands (chipmunk cheeks), fever, headache
8. Symptom Treatment: Ice packs on glands and pain relievers
9. Transmission: Respiratory droplets or direct contact with the saliva of an infected person

Cholera

1. Common Name: Asiatic cholera
2. Organs Affected: Intestinal tract
3. Agent: Vibrio cholerae
4. Agent Type: Bacterium
5. Vaccine: Yes (Oral vaccines available)
6. Cure: Rapid rehydration and antibiotics in severe cases
7. Symptoms: Profuse watery diarrhea ('rice-water stools'), rapid dehydration
8. Symptom Treatment: Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and IV fluids
9. Transmission: Ingestion of water or food contaminated with the feces of an infected person

Giardiasis

1. Common Name: Beaver Fever
2. Organs Affected: Small intestine
3. Agent: Giardia lamblia
4. Agent Type: Protist (Parasite)
5. Vaccine: No
6. Cure: Antiparasitic drugs (e.g., Met