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Opportunistic pathogens

Microbes causing disease under specific conditions.

Opportunistic infections (OIs)

Infections not occurring in healthy individuals.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Causative agent of tuberculosis (TB).

Airborne transmission

Spread of TB through inhaled droplet nuclei.

Latent TB

Inactive TB infection, not contagious.

Active TB

Contagious condition causing illness.

Drug-resistant TB (DR TB)

TB resistant to standard anti-TB drugs.

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)

TB resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin.

Complications of TB

Health issues arising from tuberculosis infection.

Spinal pain

Common complication causing back pain and stiffness.

Joint damage

Tuberculous arthritis affecting hips and knees.

Meningitis

Swelling of brain membranes causing headaches.

Liver problems

Impaired liver function due to tuberculosis.

Kidney problems

Impaired kidney function due to tuberculosis.

Heart disorders

Rare TB infection affecting heart tissues.

Inhalation of droplet nuclei

Primary method of TB transmission.

TB treatment mismanagement

Main reason for multidrug resistance emergence.

Person-to-person transmission

Key factor in spreading drug-resistant TB.

Bacilli multiplication

Process of TB bacteria increasing in lungs.

Symptoms of active TB

Signs of illness from tuberculosis infection.

Immune response

Host's defense mechanism against TB infection.

TB infection timeline

Active TB can develop weeks to years post-infection.

TB disease spread

Occurs through coughing, sneezing, or speaking.

Control of TB spread

Treatment of latent TB is crucial.

Chronic Cough

Cough lasting three or more weeks.

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood indicative of TB.

Chest Pain

Pain during breathing or coughing.

Unintentional Weight Loss

Significant weight loss without trying.

Fatigue

Persistent tiredness or lack of energy.

Fever

Elevated body temperature, often with TB.

Night Sweats

Excessive sweating during sleep.

Chills

Shivering or feeling cold, often with fever.

Loss of Appetite

Decreased desire to eat, common in TB.

Latent TB Infection

Non-contagious TB that can become active.

Active Tuberculosis

Contagious form affecting the lungs.

Preventive Medications

Drugs to reduce risk of active TB.

Isolation Measures

Staying home to prevent spreading TB.

Room Ventilation

Improving airflow to reduce TB transmission.

Mask Usage

Wearing masks to limit germ spread.

Complete Medication Course

Essential to prevent drug-resistant TB strains.

BCG Vaccine

Vaccine for severe TB, not widely used in US.

Infection Control Strategies

Methods to prevent TB transmission in healthcare.

Workplace Controls

Administrative measures to reduce TB exposure.

Environmental Controls

Methods to lower infectious droplet concentration.

HEPA Filters

High-efficiency filters for air purification.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

UV light kills TB bacteria in air.

UV Lights

Should be directed to the ceiling for effectiveness.

Personal Protective Equipment

Protects staff from droplet nuclei exposure.

Sputum

Thick mucus from lungs in respiratory infections.

Saliva

Not acceptable for sputum collection; wasteful.

Mouth Hygiene

No mouthwash before sputum collection for accuracy.

Deep Breathing Exercises

Helps in expectorating thick sputum effectively.

Expectorated Sputum

Must be directly spat into a sterile container.

Quality Specimens

Reliable test results depend on correct specimen collection.

Manual of Procedures (MOP)

Guidelines for collecting quality specimens for TB.

Laboratory Request Form (LRF)

Required to process specimens for TB diagnosis.

Specimen Containers

Must be screw-capped, leak-proof, and sturdy.

Conical Tubes

Preferred over sputum cups to prevent leakage.

Labeling Specimens

Includes patient name, date, time, and test requested.

Tightly Capped Containers

Prevents spillage during transport.

Paraffin Film

Used to seal lids of specimen containers.

Absorbent Material

Wrap around containers to absorb potential leaks.

Triple Packaging System

Ensures safe transport of biological specimens.

Primary Container

Tightly sealed specimen container for initial storage.

Secondary Container

Durable, leak-proof container for primary receptacles.

Cushioning Material

Fills spaces to maintain upright orientation during transport.

Tertiary Container

Outer container for securing secondary receptacle.

Cold Temperature Transport

Sputum specimens require cold packs during transport.

Orientation Sign

Indicates 'This Way Up' on the tertiary container.

Regular ice in plastic bags

Not recommended due to leakage when melted.

NTP Form 2a

Laboratory Request and Result Form required for specimens.

Integrated Tuberculosis Information System (ITIS)

System for encoding and retrieving laboratory requests.

TB Laboratory Specimen Receiving Form

Form required with specimen package for processing.

Rejection criteria

Conditions under which specimens cannot be processed.

Insufficient volume

Sputum less than 3 mL for TB testing.

Unsuitable for testing

Specimens that are grossly contaminated or bloody.

More than seven days

Specimens older than seven days from collection.

Improperly stored or transported

Specimens lacking cold packs or preservatives.

Inconsistent or missing label

Specimens without matching or clear identification.

Damaged containers

Specimens in leaking or broken containers are rejected.

No LRF

Absence of Laboratory Request Form leads to rejection.

Common Cold

Viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Symptoms of common cold

Includes sneezing, sore throat, and runny eyes.

Rhinoviruses

Major viral cause of common colds in adults.

Transmission of colds

Spread via respiratory secretions and airborne droplets.

Laboratory diagnosis of colds

Usually unnecessary; cell culture can identify viruses.

Viral gastroenteritis

Endemic or epidemic illness causing diarrhea and vomiting.

Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis

Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and low-grade fever.

Rotavirus

Leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children.

Diarrhea causes

Can be infectious or non-infectious in nature.

Dysentery

Severe diarrhea caused by various pathogens.

Patient care precautions

Standard precautions for hospitalized patients with infections.

Contact Precautions

Infection control for diapered or incontinent patients.

Pathogens

Viruses causing infections in children and adults.

Reservoirs

Sources of viruses, including humans and contaminated water.

Transmission Modes

Fecal-oral route, airborne, and contaminated fomites.

Laboratory Diagnosis

Diagnosis via stool examination or molecular procedures.

Viral Hepatitis

Liver inflammation caused by various viruses.

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)

Virus causing hepatitis A, transmitted fecal-orally.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Virus causing hepatitis B, transmitted via blood.