Challenges In Treatment And Control

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

The study of the outbreak and spread of infectious disease.

Question 2

When will disease spread more rapidly

Answer 2

Through dense populations and areas of overcrowding

Question 3

When do challenges in treatment and control arise?

Answer 3

Where parasites spread most rapidly as a result of overcrowding or tropical climates. These conditions are co-ordinated treatment and control programs difficult to achieve.

Question 4

Herd immunity

Answer 4

The herd immunity threshold is the density of resistant hosts in the population required to prevent an epidemic.

Question 5

How do vaccines work?

Answer 5

Vaccines contain antigens that will elicit an immune response.

Question 6

Things that must be overcome during the development of successful treatments and the control of parasites

Answer 6

1. The similarities between host and parasite metabolism makes it difficult to find drug compounds that only target the parasite.
2. Antigenic variation has to be reflected in the design of vaccines.
3. Some parasites are difficult to culture in the laboratory making it difficult to design vaccines.

Question 7

Practical control strategies

Answer 7

Civil engineering to improve sanitation combined with a co-ordinated vector control programme.

Question 8

What does improvements in parasite control reduce?

Answer 8

It reduces child mortality and result in population wide improvements in child development and intelligence, as individuals have more resources for growth and development.