10- infectious diseases Flashcards
pathogens
Bacteria - Produce toxins that damage body cells.
Viruses - Use host cells to replicate before bursting out and destroying cells.
Protoctists (protists) - Take over cells and break them open.
Fungi - Digest living cells to destroy them. Some also produce toxins.
risk of communicable disease is increased by certain factors
Living conditions - Overcrowded areas increase the risk of direct transmission.
Climate - For example, warmer temperatures allow mosquitoes to breed and transmit malaria.
Social factors - For example, a lack of health education and healthcare systems increase the risk of communicable disease.
cholera cause + transmission
Vibrio Cholerae
- water contaminated with faeces
- contaminated food handled by infected individuals
cholera treatment, prevention, control
oral rehydration therapy- salt+glucose
Provision of clean water that has been chlorinated to kill bacteria.
Using vaccination programmes where cholera is common
malaria cause+transmission
parasites transmitted to humans via infected mosquitoes
one of 4 types of protoctist species: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, or Plasmodium malariae
Vectors (female Anopheles mosquitoes).
Blood transfusions or re-use of unsterile needles.
Across the placenta from mother to fetus
malaria treatment, prevention, control
Anti-malarial drugs such as quinine and chloroquine
Reducing the number of mosquitoes in an area by using insecticide.
Reducing the chance of being bitten by using mosquito nets and insect repellents.
Using prophylactic (preventative) drugs to prevent infection in pregnant women and young children.
HIV cause+transmission
Human immunodeficiency virus
Exchange of bodily fluids via sexual intercourse, blood donation, or sharing of needles.
Across the placenta from mother to fetus.
HIV treatment+control
No cure, but antiretroviral drug therapy can slow down the onset of AIDS by stopping the virus replicating in the body.
lood donations can be screened for HIV and heat-treated to kill viruses.
HIV-positive pregnant women can be treated to prevent infection of the fetus.
Barrier methods of contraception such as condoms reduce the risk during intercourse.
Education programmes to encourage the public to protect themselves and others.
TB cause+transmission
Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis
Unaffected individuals inhale airborne droplets containing the bacteria.
Can be spread from cattle to humans in meat and milk.
TB treatment, prevention, control
antibiotics for 3-6 months
Contact tracing in which individuals who have been in contact with an infected person are screened and tested for TB.
Vaccination using the BCG vaccine.
Routine testing of cattle and destroying those that test positive.
Milk pasteurisation to kill any TB-causing bacteria.
