Epidemiology and Disease Prevention

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to epidemiology and disease prevention.

Epidemiology

The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations.

Epidemiologist

A professional responsible for planning to contain the spread of infectious diseases.

Prevalence

The total number of cases of a disease in a given population at a given time.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease in a given population during a specific time period.

Morbidity Rate

The total number of individuals affected by a disease, expressed as cases per 1,000 individuals per year.

Mortality Rate

The number of deaths due to a disease, usually expressed as deaths per 1,000 individuals per year.

Epidemic

An outbreak of a disease occurring in greater numbers than expected in a community or region.

Pandemic

An epidemic that spreads worldwide, affecting many countries.

Endemic

A disease that exhibits a steady frequency over a long time period in a particular area.

Sporadic

A disease that occurs only occasionally in a population.

Iceberg Effect

The phenomenon where a large number of cases go undiagnosed or unreported, complicating disease tracking.

Nosocomial Infections

Infections acquired in hospitals or clinical settings.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

A common bacterium often associated with nosocomial infections.

Staphylococcus aureus

A common cause of surgical wound infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A common bacterium that can cause infections in burn victims.

Immunocompromised Patients

Individuals with weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections.

Invasive Medical Procedures

Medical actions that can introduce infections due to direct access to internal systems.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to withstand antibiotics, making infections harder to treat.

Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions

Guidelines to treat every patient as if they are infected, to reduce infection risk.

Catheter Associated Infection (CAI)

A urinary tract infection that occurs following catheterization.

Public Health

The practice of safeguarding and improving the health of populations.

Prophylaxis

Preventative measures taken to reduce the risk of disease.

Clean Water

Essential for preventing diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever.

Clean Food

Food safety measures like pasteurization and proper cooking to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Personal Cleanliness

Hand washing practices essential for preventing the spread of diseases.

Insect Control

Methods used to reduce mosquito populations to prevent diseases transmitted by insects.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Infections transmitted through sexual contact requiring public health education for prevention.

Respiratory Diseases

Diseases transmitted through respiratory droplets, often preventable by immunization.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

A report published by the CDC detailing public health statistics.

World Health Organization (WHO)

An international agency focused on global public health.

Measles

A highly contagious viral disease that is preventable by vaccination.

Malaria

A life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites.

Tuberculosis

A potentially serious infectious bacterial disease primarily affecting the lungs.

HIV/AIDS

A chronic disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Diarrheal Illnesses

Infections that lead to diarrhea, causing significant mortality in developing countries.

Influenza

A viral infection that can lead to severe respiratory illness and death.

Multi-drug Resistant TB (MDR TB)

A form of tuberculosis that is resistant to multiple antibiotics.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, which can lead to septic conditions.

Childhood Mortality

Refers to the death rate among children under five, often from preventable diseases.

Hepatitis C

A viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to chronic illness.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

A viral infection that can cause warts and is associated with certain cancers.