Principles of Disease and Epidemiology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the Principles of Disease and Epidemiology lecture, focusing on important terms and their definitions.

Etiology

The study of the causes of diseases.

Infectious microorganisms

Microbes that can cause disease.

Homeostasis

The ability of the body to maintain stable internal conditions.

Commensalism

A relationship where one organism benefits and the other is unaffected.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations.

Herd Immunity

When a large portion of a population becomes immune to a disease, reducing its spread.

Transmission

The way in which a disease is spread from one host to another.

Biofilm

A structured community of microbial cells embedded in a self-produced polymeric matrix.

Lytic enzymes

Enzymes that break down cell membranes to allow invasion into host cells.

Incubation period

The time between exposure to a pathogen and the onset of symptoms.

Prodromal stage

The stage of disease where initial symptoms appear but are not yet clear enough for diagnosis.

Acute phase

The period of a disease when symptoms are most severe and the immune response is fully engaged.

Symptom

Subjective evidence of disease experienced by the patient, such as pain or fatigue.

Sign

Objective evidence of disease observable by others, like fever.

Competitive exclusion

A principle that states that two species competing for the same limiting resource cannot coexist.

Candidiasis

An infection caused by the overgrowth of Candida fungi in the body.

Evasion of immune system

Mechanisms by which pathogens avoid detection and destruction by the host's immune system.

Portal of entry

The site at which a pathogen enters the body to initiate infection.