Infectious Illnesses Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards related to infectious illnesses.

Pathogens

Disease-causing organisms that trigger infection.

Host

Person or population that contacts one or more agents in an environment.

Vector

Biological or physical vehicle that carries the agent to the host; serves as means of pathogen transmission.

Viruses

Infectious agents that require host cells to reproduce.

Bacteria

Infectious agents that release enzymes to digest body cells or create toxins; some are harmless.

Incubation Period

Time between invasion of pathogen and the start of symptoms.

Prodromal Period

Period when illness surfaces and is highly contagious.

Allergic Rhinitis

Inflammatory response of the nasal mucous membranes after exposure to inhaled allergens.

5th most common us chronic disease

seasonal or chronic

sx intermittent or persistent

Autoimmune Disorder

Immune system attacks the body's own cells, tissues, or organs.

Immunization

Process of becoming protected against a disease through vaccination.

one of the greatest success stories of modern medicine

decreased cases of measles, mumps, tetanus, whooping cough, by more than 95%

Viral diseases

flu, herpes (never resolves), hepatitis, HIV(retrovirus), rhinovirus/adenovirus (URI), HPV(strong link to cancer)

t/f antibiotics are effective in killing viruses

false

antiviral may decrease severity and duration of virus, most effective when taken early

bacteria

not all cause disease

release enzymes to digest body cells or create toxins

bacterial diseases

tuberculosis, scarlet fever, gonorrhea, diphtheria, tetanus

fungi, protozoa, parasitic worms

grow/thrive on human tissue (scalp, groin, ear, feet)

fungi: release enzymes to digest cells

tx: antifungal

protozoa

release enzymes and toxins to destroy cells or interrupt their function

not common in US: malaria

US: giardiasis: intestinal infection due to contact w/ feces

helminths

worms that attack certain tissues or organ and compete with hosts for nutrients (tape/ringworm)

animals and insects

touch, ingestion, bites

people

touch, sexual contact, airborne

food

eating infected food

water

inadequate water purification

how diseases spread

source-person or object

exit: blood, fluids, cough/sneeze

transmission: air, direct contact

entry: break in skin or breathing

susceptible person: depressed immune system

recovery

body’s forces gain advantage and destroy invaders and heal

who develops infections

children/families

older adults

chronically ill

smokers/ respiratory problem

close contact

poorly ventilated buildings

poor hygiene

compromised immune system

lack of sleep

how the body protects itself

intact skin, tears, sweat, oils, saliva, mucus, respiratory cilia, digestive system defenses, immune system

tips to break chain of infection

balanced diet, avoid fatty foods, sleep, exercise, non smoking, control alcohol, wash hands, dont share

immunity and stress

stress response dampens immunity

stress affects system in diff ways depending on: controllability or uncontrol of stressor and mental effort needed to cope w/ stress

acute stress

increase of hormonal levels

enhancement of innate function

primary response

transition

metabolic changes

alteration of immune system

osmoreregulatory disturbances

secondary response

chronic stress

changes in whole animal

suppressed immune response

increased disease susceptibility

behavioral alterations

tertiary response

immune disorders

on over-reaction to certain triggers

allergic rhinitis

allergies

allergies

hypersensitivity

triggers: pollen, mites, mold spores, food, insects, meds

treatments: avoid antihistamine meds, steroids, immunotherapy.

autoimmune; immune process

system attacks body’s cells, tissues, or organs

affects 3x women than men

top 10 killer/disabler in us

autoimmune examples

lupus erythematosus: inflammatory diseases attack itself

multiple sclerosis: eats away at nervous tissue lining

celiac’s: eating gluten

type 1 diabetes: pancrease little to no insulin

rheumatoid arthritis: chronic inflammatory

childhood vaccinations

parental fears related to vacs

rec: include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vac

age: 12-15 mo

again at 4-6 yrs

college vacs

flu

meningococcal

mmr

hep a/b

hpv

tdap

pneumococcal

upper respiratory infections

• common cold

• influenza

• swine flu

• threat of pandemic

common cold spreads

coughs, sneezes, touch

risk factors:

sleep deprivation

high levels of stress

large crowds

treatment for cold

warm fluids

rest

NSAIDS instead of amphetamines

match otc meds to sx

when to call dr: long lasting sx, felt better then worsening new sx

influenza

Similar to a cold, but flu symptoms more severe and
duration is longer.
• 10–20 percent of Americans develop seasonal influenza
each year:
– More than 200,000 hospitalizations
– 36,000 deaths
• Highly contagious, particularly in the first 3 days of the
disease
• Annual flu shot
– Recommended for everyone older than 6 months
– Contraindicated in combination with certain medical
conditions

flu virus transmission

same as cold

coughs, sneezes, laugh, normal convos

flu treatment

FluMist®
– Live, nasal-spray flu vaccine
– Healthy, nonpregnant people ages 5–49 years
• Antiviral drugs
– May be used to treat influenza virus
– Must take within 36–48 hours of first flu symptom

prevention of flu

Get vaccinated.
• Do not share eating dishes and utensils.
• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Reduce time in close contact with sick people and in
crowded settings.
• Stay in good general health.
• Follow public health advice about school closures,
avoiding crowds, and other social distancing
measures.
• Improve airflow in living space.

swine flu

Influenza type A virus
• Genetic similarity to influenza viruses normally found
in pigs in North America
• Annual flu shots that now protect against both
seasonal and H1N1 flu
• Similar symptoms as flu but may have diareahha
and vomitting

pneumonia sx

muscle aches

dry cough

ab pain

cold in head/throat

fever w/ shivering

chest pain

nausea/vomit

threat of pandemic

Outbreak: sudden rise in the incidence of a disease
• Epidemic: affects an atypically large number of
individuals within a population, community, or region
at the same time
• Pandemic: occurs over a wide geographic area;
affects an exceptionally high proportion of
population

covid vs flu

Super spreader
Latent period longer between
exposure and symptoms
Comes from Sars-Cov-2

Flu
Contagious but not as potent
Comes from influenza virus