Anti-infectives Flashcards
How soon do you show symptoms with a virus
5-7 days
What is not an effective way to treat viruses
Antibiotics
Why is it hard to kill a virus
Reproduce/replicate only within a host cell
Transmission of a virus
Inhalation
Ingestion
Transplacentally (mother to child)
Inoculation
Latent or dormant infection
Viral infection that has been around forever and is just now showing up
“Silent” infection
You have the infection and don’t show symptoms but are still contagious
Rhinovirus
Common cold (runny nose) Gets rid of itself, no medication
Orthomyxoviruses
Influenza
Prevention is best approach
If an antiviral is given within first 48 hours, it could shorten the infection by 2 days
Hepadnaviruses
Hepatitis
Sometimes go Undiagnosed
Can cause permanent liver damage
Herpesviruses
Herpes
Usually nOt life threatening
Can be put on antibiotic to ensure blister doesn’t get infected
Prophylactic therapy
Retrovirus
HIV
fatal if untreated
It is a retrovirus because it works backwards
It is gradual destruction of immune system
Symmetrel (amantadine)
Anti-viral
Influenza
Cheap
Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
Anti-viral
Influenza
Expensive
Zovirax (acyclovir)
Anti-viral
Herpes simplex
Valtrex (valacyclovir)
Anti-viral
Herpes simplex
Retrovir (zidovudine)
Anti-viral
HIV
How damaging are fungal infections
They aren’t. They aren’t a big deal
Why won’t an antibacterial work on a fungus
Fungi cell structure more equal to humans than bacteria
What is another term for fungal infections
Mycosis
Superficial fungal infections
Mild
Include: candidas, epidermophytons (ringworm, jock itch, athletes foot)
Systemic fungal infections
Can be severe and life threatening
Histoplasmosis (lung)
Pneumocystis Carinii (lung especially with HIV)
Cryptococcus (meningitis especially with HIV)
How can you get a fungal infection
1) orally, implanted under skin, inhaled
2) over use of antibiotics
Why would overuse of antibiotics cause a fungal infection
Antibiotic kills normal flora that would usually guard you against fungal infections
How are most anti-fungal agents administered
Topically
