Infectious Disease Transmission Case Study: Tuberculosis and Airborne Spread

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to tuberculosis transmission, aerosols, and global disease spread as described in the lecture notes.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that often affects the lungs and can spread via airborne droplets when an infected person coughs.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The bacterium that causes tuberculosis.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)

TB strain resistant to multiple first-line anti-TB drugs, making treatment more difficult.

Aerosol

A suspension of fine droplets or particles in air that can carry pathogens; in this context, infectious droplets expelled during coughing.

Airborne transmission

Spread of disease via aerosolized particles that can remain suspended in the air and travel distances.

Contagious

Capable of being transmitted to others.

Immunocompromised

Having a weakened or impaired immune system.

Pathogen

A microorganism that can cause disease (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

SARS-CoV-2

The coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, capable of rapid global spread.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The UN agency responsible for international public health.

Wuhan outbreak (late 2019)

Initial emergence of COVID-19 cases in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019.

Exposure

Contact with a pathogen that can lead to infection.