Public Health and Infectious Diseases Overview

Overview of Pertussis

• Epidemiology of Pertussis:
  • Notably increased incidents in 2017 with nearly 20,000 reported cases.
  • Experienced a rise in cases due to declining vaccination rates.
  • New pertussis vaccine has lower effectiveness compared to previous versions.
  • Infants are particularly vulnerable, with severe outcomes including death.

Vaccination Policies

• School Vaccination Requirements:
  • Children must be fully vaccinated to attend school, especially concerning pertussis vaccination.

Overview of Tuberculosis (TB)

• Historical Context:

  • Post-1929 era (Great Depression) led to federal initiatives, including sanitation efforts and public health announcements to combat TB.
  • Public service announcements often showcased hygienic practices to prevent TB.

• Sanatoriums History:

  • City of Hope began as a sanatorium, notable for inclusivity towards Jewish patients, despite many facilities being segregated based on race/religion.

TB Transmission and Pathogenesis

• Transmission of TB:

  • TB is transmitted through inhalation of droplets containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
  • Pathway: Droplets reach alveoli (air sacs in the lungs).

• Immune Response:

  • Mycobacterium can infect macrophages, leading to formation of tuberculins, or granulomas.
  • Granulomas indicate immune system's response to infection.

Infection Rates and Disease Progression

• Infection Outcomes:
  • 75% of exposed individuals do not develop a TB infection.
  • Latent TB infections result in no immediate illness; only 10% will progress to active TB.
  • Active TB is serious, with a mortality rate of 50% within two years if untreated.

Diagnosis of Active TB

• Diagnostic Methods:
  • Chest X-rays are crucial for diagnosing active TB; primary infections often show normal X-ray results thus complicating diagnosis.
  • Diagnostic approaches must account for delayed growth of TB bacteria, complicating timely diagnosis and treatment.

Other Considerations in TB Discussion

• Mental Perspective on Disease:
  • Empathy and understanding regarding physical disabilities and remarkable life stories, such as personal accounts from individuals who've experienced illness, can enrich discussions on diseases like TB.

Scarlet Fever and Associated Diseases

• Presence of M Proteins:

  • Unique proteins found in Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep) responsible for scarlet fever.
  • Characteristic symptoms include a distinctive rash and "strawberry tongue".
  • The rash is caused by an erythrogenic toxin, transferred through transduction from bacteriophages.

• Rheumatic Fever:

  • Leads to complications like rheumatic heart disease stemming from untreated streptococcal infections.

Conclusion

• Understanding the historical context of infectious diseases, vaccination importance, and complex immune responses are vital in discussing public health outcomes and future prevention strategies.