module 6 gch 205

agent

a pathogen or a chemical physical cause of disease or injury

host

is a human who is susceptible to an infection or another type of disease or injury

virus

consists of a nucleic acid encased in a protein shell called a capsid

virion

or virus particle, is an assembled virus with nucleic acid and an outer protein coating

bacterium

is a single-celled organism that lacks a true nucleus

candidiasis

overgrowth of candida presents as thrush, a vaginal yeast infection, or a diaper rash

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

is a retrovirus that destroys specialized blood cells that are needed by the immune system to fight infection

leukocyte

is a white blood cell

lymphocyte

is a type of white blood cell that attacks viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens

T cells

are lymphocytes that form in the bone marrow, then mature in the thymus, a lymphatic system organ located behind the sternum

CD4

is a glycoprotein found on the surface of some types of immune system cells, including T helper cells

AIDS

is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome that occurs as a result of the destruction of immune system cells by the HIV virus

sign

is an objective indicator of disease that can be clinically observed, such as a rash, cough, fever, or elevated blood pressure

symptom

is subjective indication of illness that is experienced by an individual but cannot be observed by others such as headache, stomachache, pain, or fatigue

syndrome

is a collection of signs and symptoms that occur together

opportunistic infection

is one that occurs when the body’s immune system is weakened enough to give a pathogen an opportunity to invade

antiretroviral

is a medication for a retroviral infection that suppresses the viral count and slows the progression of symptoms

antiretroviral therapy (ART)

use combinations of three or more different types of medication that are taken together to combat HIV

natural history of disease

describes the typical timeline for progression of an adverse health condition from onset to resolution

Voluntary counseling and testing

is a process of being tested for HIV or another infection and receiving counseling about risk reduction, treatment referrals, and communication strategies

mother to child transmission

vertical transmission; is the transmission of a pathogen from an infected pregnant woman to her offspring during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding

pre-exposure prophylaxis

is the process of taking medications prior to a likely exposure to a pathogen in order to reduce the risk of contracting an infection

post-exposure prophylaxis

is the process of taking medications after exposure to a pathogen in order to reduce the likelihood of contracting an infection

universal precautions

the use of barriers like nitrile gloves to prevent contact with blood or body fluids when caring for a sick person or cleaning soiled laundry

circumcision

is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis

PEPFAR

the U.S. presidents emergency plan for aids relief, provides financing for ART and other HIV prevention and treatment services in LMIC’s

sexually transmitted infection

is an infection spread through sexual intercourse or other types of sexual contact

chlamydia

is an infection with chlamydia trachomatis, obligate intracellular bacteria that can cause chronic urogenital or eye infections

gonorrhea

is an infection with diplococcus neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria

pelvic inflammatory disease

an infection in the upper female reproductive system that can cause pain and lead to scarring and infertility

syphilis

is an infection with spirochete bacteria called treponema pallidium that can cause chronic cardiovascular and nervous system impairments

herpes

is an infection with a herpesvirus that can cause painful ulcers

trichomoniasis

us a protozoal sexually transmitted infection caused by trichomonas vaginalis

partner notification

is the process of a patient diagnosed with an STI communicating with his or her sexual partners about their need to be tested so that they can receive appropriate treatment

tuberculosis

is a disease caused by an infection with mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which are spread through airborne droplets

infection

occurs when an infectious agent is reproducing inside a person

disease

is the presence of signs or symptoms of poor health

TB disease

is the symptomatic, contagious form of tuberculosis

incubation period

for an infectious disease is the time between exposure to a pathogen and onset of symptoms

latent period

for an infection is the time between exposure to a pathogen and onset of contagious disease

Latent TB infection

is present when tuberculosis bacteria are reproducing within a person’s body without causing the individual to feel sick or be contagious

case detection rate

is the proportion of people with a disease who are diagnosed as having that disease and, if the condition is a notifiable disease, have that case reported to government health agencies

DOTS

directly observed therapy, short-course

a type of TB treatment where a trained observer must watch a TB patient take their pills every day

BCG (bacillus calmette-guerin)

is a vaccine that confers some protection against TB disease in children

Stop TB partnership

was founded in 2000 and led by the WHO, is an international network that coordinates the efforts of hundreds of organizations working on tuberculosis control

antimicrobrial resistance

or drug resistance, occurs when an pathogen that used to be susceptible to a therapeutic agent mutates in a way that makes that medication ineffective

MDR-TB

is multi-drug resistant tuberculosis that does not respond to two of the standard antibiotic therapies, rifampicin and isoniazid

XDR-TB

is extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis that does not respond to rifampicin, isoniazid, fluoroquinolones, and at least one second-line injectable TB drug

default rate

is the proportion of people who are diagnosed with an infectious disease and begin treatment but do not complete the full course of prescribed antimicrobials

healthcare-associated infection OR nosocomial infection

is an infection that is contracted while receiving care in a hospital, nursing, or rehabilitation center

MRSA

methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections are very difficult to treat, and MRSA can cause severe “flesh-eating” infections and bloodstream infections

selection

term used to describe the preferential survival and reproduction of advantaged organisms