M3 Infection

Stages of Infection

1. Incubation

2. Window

3. Prodromal

4. Acute

5. Convalescent & Recovery

Incubation period

time between entry of organism and appearance of signs of disease

• varies depending on organism

Window period

time between entry of organism and testing positive

Prodromal period

early symptoms of disease

Acute period

clinical manifestations peak

• ends when the host’s immune system can destroy the pathogen or when microbes cannot reproduce anymore

Convalescent & Recovery period

manifestations subside & body returns to normal

Immunization

the most effective way to control infection in a population

• some vaccines do not provide lifelong immunity

• titer - check the antibody level; may need a booster

Normal Flora

term for the bacteria we need to survive

• bacteria can be advantageous or virulent

• becomes pathogenic when it overgrows

• all humans have the same normal flora

• some people also harbor bacteria that makes others ill, termed “carriers”

Safe and Expected normal flora

• skin

• nasal cavity

• mouth

• GI tract

• vagina

• distal urethra

Places where no microorganisms (normal flora) should be present (sterile environments)

• lungs

• brain

• bladder

• kidney

• heart

• blood CSF

• spleen

• uterus

How can viruses survive in the body

• can remain dormant in the body, such as Epstein-Barr virus or “mono”

• one virus can exists in many similar forms/strains & mutate during replication

• hard to develop immunity through antibodies or vaccination (ex: common cold)

• do not have their own metabolic processes or structures that drugs target

Influenza (Flu)

a viral infection with annual peaks

• transmitted by droplet and aerosols

• sudden, acute onset with fever, marked fatigue, aching, cough, sore throat, pains in the body

• deaths in flu epidemics result from pneumonia

• three types: A, B, C

Which Flu type is more severe because it mutates quicker

Influenza A