Communicable Diseases Flashcards

Practice vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes on Communicable Diseases, covering infection types, chain of infection, immunity, and specific diseases like Rabies and Tetanus.

Colonization

Bacterial growth that does not cause disease.

Infection

The presence of bacterial growth that causes disease.

Localized Infection

An infection that only affects a specific part of the body, such as conjunctivitis.

Systematic Infection

An infection that affects the entire body, such as sepsis or tetanus.

Acute Infection

An illness that lasts $<6$ months.

Chronic Infection

An illness that lasts $>6$ months.

Communicable Disease

A disease transmitted from one person to another through a mode of transmission.

Infectious Disease

A disease caused by a pathogen invading the body, but not always spread directly or indirectly person-to-person.

Contagious Disease

An infectious disease that is easily spread person-to-person, such as those spread via airborne or droplet transmission.

Vehicle

A non-living object used in the indirect transmission of a disease.

Vector

A living organism, such as a mosquito, fly, or rat, that transmits a disease.

Airborne Transmission

Transmission where the droplet size/weight is $<60\,mcg$, allowing droplets to remain suspended in the air for long periods and travel $>1\,meter$.

Droplet Transmission

Transmission where the droplet size/weight is $>60\,mcg$, and acquisition usually occurs within $1\,meter$.

Epidemiologic Triad

The interaction of three components: Agent, Host, and Environment.

Pathogen

The causative agent of a disease, which can be bacteria (most common), virus (most microscopic), fungi (least common), or parasites.

Reservoir

The place where the agent lives and multiplies.

Carrier

A person confirmed positive (+$) for a disease but negative (-$$) for signs and symptoms.

Confirmed/Patient

A person who is positive (+$) for diagnostic tests and also manifests positive (+$) signs and symptoms.

Quarantine

A period of observation for an exposed person (contact) to monitor for the manifestation of signs and symptoms.

Isolation

A procedure done to prevent further transmission of disease from a confirmed patient.

Portal of Exit

The means by which an agent escapes from its reservoir (e.g., blood, semen, or breastmilk).

ABCDE of HIV

A: Abstinence; B: Be Faithful; C: Correct and consistent use of condoms (latex); D: Do not share needles; E: Early detection and education.

Innate Immunity

Immunity present at birth, such as intact skin.

Natural Passive Immunity

Immunity acquired from the mother via IgA or colostrum.

Natural Active Immunity

Immunity developed by acquiring the disease itself or through childhood illnesses.

Artificial Passive Immunity

Short-acting, man-made immunity such as ERIG, anti-serums, or anti-toxins that require a skin test due to allergy risk.

Artificial Active Immunity

Long-acting, man-made immunity introduced via toxoids or vaccines.

Incubation Period

The interval between exposure to the pathogen and the onset of signs and symptoms.

Prodromal Period

The appearance of initial, general, and non-specific signs and symptoms such as fever, headache, or malaise.

Illness Period

The acme or peak of signs and symptoms, characterized by pathognomonic (unique) signs.

Convalescence Period

The recovery period where signs and symptoms start to disappear.

Asepsis

The absence of microorganisms.

Nosocomial Infection (HAI)

Hospital-acquired infection that develops $\ge 48$ hours after admission or discharge.

Iatrogenic Infection

An infection that is a direct result of medical procedures, such as CAUTI from catheterization.

Medical Asepsis

Clean technique focused on reducing the number of microorganisms.

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique focused on eliminating all microorganisms.

Standard Precaution (1st Tier)

Precautions used regardless of patient status, including hand hygiene (15-30 seconds with at least $4\,mL$ of soap) and PPE as indicated.

Donning Order

The order to put on PPE: Gown $\rightarrow$ Mask $\rightarrow$ Goggles $\rightarrow$ Gloves.

Doffing Order

The order to take off PPE: Gloves $\rightarrow$ Goggles $\rightarrow$ Gown $\rightarrow$ Mask.

Black Bin

Waste container for dry non-infectious and dry non-biodegradable waste.

Yellow Bin

Waste container for infectious waste and pathologic specimens like sputum, stool, and semen.

Red Bin

Waste container for needles and sharps; must be puncture-resistant.

Airborne Precautions (MTV)

Precautions used for Measles, Tuberculosis, and Varicella; requires a private room with negative pressure.

Droplet Precautions (SPIDERMaN)

Precautions for Sepsis, Pneumonia, Influenza, Diphtheria, Epiglottitis, Rubella, Mumps, and Meningitis; requires distancing of $>1\,meter$.

Contact Precautions (MRS. WE)

Precautions for Multidrug-resistant diseases, Respiratory syncytial virus, Skin infections (scabies, impetigo), Wound infections, and Enteric infections.

Neutropenic Precaution

Protective precautions for immunocompromised patients (HIV, AIDS, cancer); involves positive pressure rooms and banning fresh flowers or raw fruits.

PD 856

The Sanitation Code of the Philippines.

Water Facility Level 1

Known as Point Source; used in scattered rural areas where the farthest house is $>250\,m$ from the source.

Water Facility Level 3

Known as Water works system; includes a reservoir and distribution system with a $1:1$ household ratio.

Rhabdovirus

The causative agent for Rabies, also known as Lyssa or Hydrophobia.

Negri Bodies

Diagnostic markers found in brain biopsies of animals infected with Rabies.

Opisthotonus

The arching of the back due to spinal muscle spasms, seen in Tetanus and Polio.

Risus Sardonicus

The devils grin or sardonic smile caused by facial muscle spasms in Tetanus.

Trismus

Lockjaw; the pathognomonic sign seen in $75\%$ of Tetanus cases.

Nuchal Rigidity

Neck stiffness, a common sign of Meningitis.

Bordetella pertussis

The causative agent for Pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

Pseudomembrane

The pathognomonic sign of Diphtheria, also known as bull neck disease.