Principles of Disease and Epidemiology

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to disease and epidemiology from the lecture notes.

Infection

Invasion or colonization of the body by pathogens.

Disease

When the infection causes detectable clinical changes in the body.

Human Microbiome

The collection of microbes that inhabit the human body, outnumbering human cells at least ten to one.

Resident biota

Bacteria normally found on/in a particular structure that help with competitive exclusion of transient bacteria.

Transient biota

Bacteria that pass through the system and do not stick around, which could be pathogens.

Opportunistic pathogens

Microbes that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available to them and can cause infections in compromised hosts.

Fecal transplant

A procedure in which healthy people donate feces to help reestablish a healthy microbiome in individuals with disease symptoms.

Koch’s Postulates

A series of four criteria used to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

Signs vs. Symptoms

Signs are objective evidence of disease, while symptoms are subjective feelings experienced by the patient.

Sporadic disease

A disease that occurs only occasionally.

Endemic disease

A disease that is constantly present in a given population.

Epidemic disease

A disease acquired by many people in a given area in a short time.

Pandemic disease

A worldwide epidemic.

Predisposing factors

Factors that make the body more susceptible to disease.

Reservoirs of infection

Continual sources of infection, which can be human, animal, or nonliving (like soil and water).

Direct contact transmission

Transmission that requires close association between the infected and a susceptible host.

Vector transmission

Transmission of disease by arthropods, such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired while receiving treatment in a healthcare facility.

Emerging infectious diseases

Diseases that are new, increasing in incidence, or show potential to increase in the near future.

Epidemiology

The study of where and when diseases occur and how they are transmitted in populations.

CDC

Center for Disease Control and Prevention; collects and analyzes epidemiological information in the United States.