Ch.6 fungus,yeast-lymphomas

Fungal Infections

  • Fungi: Simple parasitic organisms; plural: fungi.

    • Some are harmless, others pathogenic.

    • Tinea pedis (Athlete's foot): Fungal infection between toes.

    • Aspergillosis: Rare infection from inhaling mold, a type of fungus into lungs.

  • Yeast Infections: Caused by fungi, notably Candida albicans.

    • Candidiasis: Known as a yeast infection, affects warm, moist areas (vagina, mouth).

    • Oral Thrush: Yeast infection in the mouth, common in infants.

    • Vaginal Candidiasis: Yeast infection occurring in the vagina.

Parasitic Infections

  • Parasites: Organisms that live on or within another organism at the expense of it.

    • Giardiasis: Diarrheal disease caused by the parasite Giardia; transmitted via contaminated water.

    • Malaria: Caused by a parasite in mosquitoes, spread through bites.

      • Symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue (1-4 weeks after infection).

    • Toxoplasmosis: Transmitted via contaminated animal feces; hazardous for pregnant women.

    • Trichomoniasis: Common sexually transmitted disease caused by Trichomonas vaginalis.

Viral Infections

  • Viruses: Very small infectious agents that invade cells to reproduce.

    • After invading, viruses replicate and burst infected cells to spread.

  • COVID-19: Contagious viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, identified in 2019; global pandemic from 2020.

    • Transmission: Droplets, airborne, contact; incubation: up to 14 days.

    • Symptoms: Fever, aches, pneumonia, hypoxia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell.

  • Ebola: Rare, often fatal; transmitted via contact with infected bodily fluids.

    • Symptoms appear within 21 days: high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, late-stage internal bleeding.

  • Influenza (Flu): Seasonal viral respiratory infection; symptoms: fever, sore throat, cough, aches.

    • Complications can include pneumonia.

  • Measles: Highly contagious; symptoms include rash, fever, runny nose, cough.

    • Risk for young children and can lead to complications like bronchitis.

  • Mumps: Viral infection causing parotid gland swelling; can affect ovaries/testicles in adults.

  • Rubella (German measles): Causes low-grade fever, swollen glands, and rash; serious in early pregnancy.

  • Rabies: Acute viral infection from bites or saliva of infected animals; usually fatal if untreated.

  • West Nile Virus: Spread by infected mosquitoes, causing mild flu-like symptoms in some and severe disease in others.

  • Zika Virus: Transmitted by mosquitoes; mild in adults but can cause birth defects.

Herpesviruses

  • Types: Varicella zoster, Epstein Barr, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex.

    • Cytomegalovirus (CMV): Often asymptomatic; serious for immunocompromised or fetuses.

    • Varicella (Chickenpox): Highly contagious; characterized by fever and fluid-filled blisters.

    • Shingles: Reactivation of dormant chickenpox virus causing painful eruptions.

    • Infectious Mononucleosis (Mono): Caused by Epstein Barr virus; symptoms include fever, sore throat, lymph node enlargement.

Medications for Infections

  • Antibiotics: Inhibit growth or kill bacteria; effective only against bacterial infections.

    • Bactericides: Kill bacteria (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins).

    • Bacterial Static Agents: Slow/stall bacteria growth (e.g., tetracycline).

  • Antifungals: Destroy or inhibit fungi (e.g., Letramine for athlete's foot).

  • Antivirals: Treat viral infections (e.g., temporary immunity).

Oncology

Overview of Cancer

  • Oncology: Study of tumor and cancer treatment.

    • Cancers: Named after origin site; second leading cause of death after heart disease.

Tumors

  • Tumor (Neoplasm): Abnormal growth of tissue; uncontrolled, abnormal cell multiplication.

    • Benign Tumor: Non-cancerous, not life-threatening but can cause local damage.

    • Myoma: Example of a benign tumor composed of muscle tissue.

    • Malignant Tumor: Cancerous, can invade and spread; leads to life-threatening conditions.

    • Myosarcoma: Example of malignant tumor from muscle tissue.

    • Angiogenesis: Tumor's ability to generate its own blood supply; opposite is antiangiogenesis, which disrupts blood supply.

Types of Cancer

  • Carcinomas: Malignant tumors in epithelial tissue; infiltrate and metastasize to other organs.

    • In Situ: Malignant tumor at original site, not yet invading.

    • Adenocarcinoma: Derived from glandular tissue.

  • Sarcomas: Malignant tumors in connective tissues; includes osteosarcoma and soft tissue sarcomas.

  • Staging Tumors: Classifies progression, therapy response, and prognosis; indicated by letters, numbers, or Roman numerals.

  • Lymphomas: General term for cancers of lymphoid tissues; includes Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.