Infectious Diseases and Disease Prevention

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on infectious diseases and disease prevention.

Pathogen

An infective agent causing a disease.

Host

An organism at risk of infection by a pathogen.

Environment

Conditions that allow the transmission of a pathogen to the host.

Transmission

The spread of a pathogen from a source to a susceptible host.

Virus

A non-cellular infectious particle consisting of nucleic acid enclosed in a protein coat; some have an outer envelope.

Envelope

An outer membrane surrounding some viruses.

Nucleic acid

The genetic material of a virus (DNA or RNA).

Bacteria

Unicellular prokaryotes; reproduce by binary fission; some are pathogenic and may release toxins.

Toxin

A substance released by bacteria that disturbs normal cell function.

Protists

Eukaryotic single-celled organisms; many are protozoans that can cause disease.

Plasmodium

Protozoan parasite that causes malaria; multiplies in liver and red blood cells.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms; include yeasts and moulds; reproduce by spores.

Yeast

Unicellular fungus commonly used as an example of fungi.

Mould

Multicellular fungi that produce spores and can cause infections like athlete’s foot.

Antibiotics

Drugs that kill bacteria or inhibit their growth.

Penicillin

First antibiotic discovered; produced by the mold Penicillium; discovered by Fleming.

Penicillium

Genus of mold that produces penicillin.

Antibiotic resistance

Bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics; accelerated by misuse.

MDRO (multi-drug-resistant organism)

Bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics; also called a ‘superbug.’

Broad-spectrum antibiotic

Antibiotic effective against a wide range of bacteria.

Narrow-spectrum antibiotic

Antibiotic effective against a limited range of bacteria.

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics

Unnecessary prescriptions, not finishing courses, and use in livestock; increases resistance.

Immunization

Inducing immunity to a disease, typically via vaccination.

Vaccine

A substance that induces immunity to a disease.

Immunization programme

A planned set of vaccination campaigns targeting specific diseases for a population.

Screening

Identifying undiagnosed diseases in apparently healthy people to enable early treatment.

Disease surveillance

System that tracks incidence and trends of diseases to guide control strategies.

Vector

An organism that carries pathogens to a new host (e.g., mosquitoes, rodents, cockroaches).

Droplets

Pathogens expelled in droplets from the airways during talking, coughing, or sneezing.

Water or food transmission

Infection spread via contaminated water or food.

Direct contact transmission

Transfer through skin-to-skin contact, wounds, or mucous membranes.

Body fluids transmission

Transmission through blood, semen, or vaginal secretions; examples include HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B.

Mosquito vectors

Mosquitoes that transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika.