Chapter 19

Epidemiology

the study of epidemics

Incidence

the number of new cases during a specific time

Prevalence

the total number of cases at a specific time

Morbidity

illness rate

Mortality

death rate

Case fatality rate

the number of ill people who die

Sporadic

occurs occasionally

Endemic

is constantly present

Epidemic

many are infected in a short period of time

Pandemic

a worldwide infection

Local

confined to a small area

Systemic/generalized

throughout the body

Bacteremia

equal bacteria are present in the blood

Septicemia

bacteria are growing and multiplying in the blood

Toxemia

toxins are in the blood

Viremia

viruses are in the blood

Reservoirs

continual sources of microbes, usually Humans- the sick, the recovering and the carriers, Animals, and Nonliving things such as dirt, water

Ways disease are transmitted

Contact such as person to person or inanimate objects, Common vehicle such as food, water, blood, Airborne in droplets or dust, Vectors such as bugs

Most common portals of exit

respiratory and GI tract

Most common portal of entry

respiratory tract

Case control

analyzing ill individuals and comparing them with a control group that is not ill

Cross sectional

studying the prevalence or occurrence of disease and associated risk factors at a given point in time

Cohort

following a group of individuals over time

Predisposing factor

a circumstance that makes the body more susceptible

CDC

Centers for Disease Control, Monitor and record data for many illness, located in Atlanta

Notifiable disease

required by law to be reported

MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Health information, data, recommendations, published by CDC

Factors that contribute to emerging infectious diseases

Microbial mutation; overuse of antibiotics leading to resistance, Complacency with disease control and prevention, Misinformation, Changes in society; more day care, less monitored immigration, building of dams, New technology; contact lenses, iPad surfaces, Increased population and mass production of food, War and climate change

Nosocomial infections or hospital-acquired infections (HAI)

Acquired in a hospital or medical facility, Patients are infected by health care workers, instruments, AC/heating system, surfaces, Visitors are rarely the cause but can be