Bacteria and Viruses: Transmission and Vaccination

Flashcards covering vocabulary related to bacteria, viruses, disease transmission, and vaccination, based on lecture notes.

Bacteria

Microscopic living organisms, usually one-celled, that can be found everywhere and can cause infection or provide benefits like fermentation.

Virus

An infective agent that consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, able to multiply only within living cells.

Pertussis

A highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, characterized by severe coughing.

Ebola

A virus transmitted through direct contact with body fluids, associated with high mortality and risk to health care workers.

Measles

A highly contagious virus transmitted via aerosolized droplets, which can remain in the air for up to two hours.

Polio

A contagious viral disease that spreads through contact with the stool of an infected person and can lead to paralysis.

Herd immunity

A form of indirect protection from infectious diseases that occurs when a large percentage of a population becomes immune.

Disease transmission

The transfer of a disease-causing agent from an infected host to an uninfected person or environment.

Direct contact transmission

Spread of disease through physical touch between infected and uninfected individuals.

Airborne transmission

Spread of pathogens through dust particles suspended in the air, requiring no direct contact.

Droplet transmission

Spread of infectious diseases via large respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing.

Body fluid transmission

Transmission of diseases through the exchange of an infected person's bodily fluids with an uninfected person.

Immunization

The process of stimulating the immune system to develop protection against diseases through vaccines.

Vaccination

The administration of a vaccine to stimulate the body's immune response and protect against specific diseases.

Preventable outbreaks

Disease outbreaks that can be avoided through vaccinations and public health interventions.

Other ways to control disease DO NOT MISS THIS

campaigns - ex, smoking cessation

policy - ex, seat belt requirements

education - ex, safe sex practices

financial reward/penalty programs - ex, higher health insurance premiums for smoking

these are ALL interchangeable and can be compared on a question on the test as ways to control disease even though they relate to nothing about controlling disease 🤯🤯

Surge capacity

The ability of a health care system to expand its services to meet increased demand during a disaster.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Specialized clothing or equipment worn by health care workers to protect against exposure to infectious agents.

Emergency protocol

A set of procedures designed to manage and respond to emergencies in healthcare settings.

Healthcare preparedness

The state of being ready and equipped to respond to public health emergencies effectively.

Bioterrorism

Deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death in people.

Contagious disease

An infectious disease transmissible from one person to another, often requiring isolation of the infected.

Public health policy

Guidelines and regulations aimed at protecting community health and preventing disease spread.

Risk behavior

Actions that increase the likelihood of negative health outcomes, often not recognized by individuals.

Isolation rooms

Specialized areas in healthcare settings designated for separating patients with contagious diseases.

Vaccination rates

The percentage of individuals in a population who have received vaccinations against specific diseases.

Vaccine misinformation

False or misleading information regarding vaccines that can impact public health and vaccination rates.

Results found unpreparedness in rural hospitals - gursky 2004 case study

lack of: training on how to identify early signs of bio hazards, reliable communication equipment, vaccinations, quarantine facilities, PPE and how to use it, emergency inventory, security, suspicion “everyone in town feeled like family”

Pricewaterhouse Coopers Survey

U.S. health system is unprepared for large scale disaster:

at least 11 cities, hospitals lack a sufficient # of beds to handle surge

less than 10% believe PCPs and community clinics well prepared

25% lack confidence in ability to transfer patients to other health facilities such as SNFs, CCs or regional hospitals

Hurricane sandy

Hospitals unprepared for disaster:

equipment failures, no electric, no IV machines without electric

Covid-19

Wave 1 - unprepared: staff had to reuse and save masks, hospitals worried about shortage of ventilators & drugs, lots of workers got sick

Manager responsibilities

our job will be to ensure clinicians are trained for the signs and to have referrals in place to assist the victim/staff to become free and stay free