chapter 15 Flashcards
What are the criteria necessary for microbes to cause an infection of the respiratory system?
- A sufficient number (dose) of infectious agents must be inhaled
- The infectious agents must be airborne or contained in droplet nuclei
- The infectious organism must remain alive and viable while in the air
- The organism must find susceptible tissue in the host suitable for attachment and growth
- The organism must colonize the surfaces before it can cause disease
These criteria highlight the conditions necessary for a successful infection in the respiratory tract.
What microbes are typically present in the normal flora of the respiratory tract?
Common inhabitants include various bacteria that help maintain respiratory health, but specific microbes are not listed in the text.
The normal flora serves a protective role against pathogenic organisms.
What is strep throat and what are its main characteristics?
Strep throat, or streptococcal pharyngitis, is caused by group A Streptococcus, the most common bacterial infection of the throat, particularly in children.
Transmission occurs through person-to-person contact.
What are the symptoms of scarlet fever?
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- ‘Strawberry tongue’
Scarlet fever is associated with group A beta-hemolytic streptococci and is treated with antibiotics.
What are the characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae?
- Gram-positive
- Encapsulated
- Alpha-hemolytic diplococcus
- Common cause of pneumonia
- Transmitted by person-to-person contact
- Vaccination is available
This bacterium is a common inhabitant of the nasopharynx in healthy individuals.
What is drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae disease (DRSP)?
A disease caused by resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae leading to pneumonia, bacteremia, otitis media, meningitis, and more, often due to overuse of antimicrobial agents.
Outbreaks are reported in vulnerable populations like nursing homes.
How is Mycoplasma pneumoniae transmitted?
Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets from person-to-person, usually in crowded areas.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes primary atypical pneumonia.
What is Chlamydophila pneumoniae known for?
It is one of the major causes of pneumonia or bronchitis, transmitted by respiratory secretions, and is common in school-age children.
This infection is often community-acquired.
What are the symptoms of pertussis (whooping cough)?
- Severe cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
Caused by Bordetella pertussis, it is highly contagious and requires vaccination.
What is tuberculosis (TB) and how is it transmitted?
Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, transmitted through air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
TB may remain latent in some individuals without symptoms.
What are the initial symptoms of tuberculosis?
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Loss of appetite
These symptoms may develop into more chronic and debilitating conditions.
What is the treatment for sinusitis?
Treatment includes decongestants, analgesics, and sometimes antibiotics, as it can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi.
Sinusitis often occurs secondary to cold or allergy.
What is Staphylococcal pneumonia and who is at risk?
Staphylococcal pneumonia is rare in healthy adults but common in immunocompromised individuals, usually hospital-acquired.
Treatment of choice is penicillin, but resistant strains may require vancomycin.
What is the causative agent of diphtheria?
Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a facultative anaerobic, gram-positive bacillus.
Diphtheria can cause severe respiratory obstruction and is preventable by vaccination.
What is Legionellosis and how is it contracted?
Legionellosis is caused by Legionella pneumophila, contracted through inhalation of water mist containing the organism.
It can be difficult to distinguish from other pneumonias.
What are the symptoms of psittacosis?
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Dry cough
Psittacosis is spread from birds to humans and is treated with antibiotics.
What is inhalation anthrax?
Inhalation anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis and is contracted through inhalation of spores, leading to severe internal damage.
It is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
What is Q Fever and how is it transmitted?
Q Fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii, transmitted by inhaling contaminated barnyard dust or animal products.
Symptoms include fever, headache, and respiratory issues.
What is the common cold and its symptoms?
- Rhinitis
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
The common cold is caused by a variety of viruses and lasts 3 to 5 days.
What are the main symptoms of influenza?
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Muscle aches
Gastrointestinal symptoms may also occur, particularly in children.
What causes viral pneumonia?
Viral pneumonia can be caused by viruses such as influenza, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and myalgia.
What is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)?
HPS is caused by hantaviruses, transmitted through contact with infected rodents, leading to acute respiratory stress syndrome.
Fatalities occur in 30% to 40% of cases.
What is severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)?
SARS is caused by the SARS coronavirus, transmitted by respiratory droplets and can be life-threatening.
Symptoms include high fever and dry cough, followed by pneumonia.
What is COVID-19 caused by?
COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, characterized by high contagion and inhalation transmission.
The pandemic occurred from 2019 to 2021, with m-RNA vaccines developed for prevention.
