Chapter 5: Infectious Diseases and Chronic Illnesses Flashcards
Describe Hepatitis A (HAV).
Viral infection that causes the liver to become enflamed.
How is Hepatitis A transmitted?
The fecal-oral route (contaminated food/drinks, usually seafood)
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?
Anorexia, Malaise (extreme fatigue), Nausea/vomiting, Abdominal pain, Fever, Light-colored stool, Dark-colored urine, Jaundice
What are the risk factors of Hepatitis A?
Traveling/working in areas with high rates of Hepatitis A, not washing hands, doing child care
What are some prevention methods for Hepatitis A?
Vaccination (95-99% success rate) - 2 time injection
What are treatments for Hepatitis A?
Plenty of rest, treating symptoms
Describe Hepatitis B (HBV).
Virus attacks liver, can cause acute or chronic disease.
Virus found in body fluids (blood, saliva, urine, semen)
How is Hepatitis B transmitted?
Direct contact with body fluids (sex, blood-to-blood, needles, etc.)
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B?
Anorexia, nausea/vomiting, fever, weakness, muscle aches, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, light stool,
What are the risk factors of Hepatitis B?
Being a health care practitioner
What are some prevention methods for Hepatitis B?
Vaccine - 3 times within 6 months
Avoid sharing body fluids
What are treatments for Hepatitis B?
Antiviral drugs minimize liver damage
No cure
Describe AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and its relation to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
AIDS is caused by HIV. HIV attacks the whits blood cells. The immune system is compromised, and the body is susceptible to other infections. When HIV enters the body, the body produces antibodies.
How is AIDS/HIV transmitted?
Direct contact with body fluids
What are the symptoms of AIDS/HIV?
A person may experience no symptoms for 3-10 years, but in the meantime, the immune system is getting worn down. An individual may experience weight loss, feeling weak, rashes, and night sweats.
What are the risk factors of AIDS/HIV?
Being a Health Care Practitioner; Using used needles
What is the prevention method for AIDS/HIV?
Avoiding used needles and not working at a health care center
What are treatments for AIDS/HIV?
Antiviral drugs delay the symptoms
Use of “Drug Cocktail”
No cure
Describe Gonorrhea.
STD found in teenagers and young adults, caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae
How is Gonorrhea transmitted?
Sexual contact with an infected partner
What are the symptoms of Gonorrhea?
Female:
Most women show no symptoms
Greenish-yellow discharge from cervix of uterus
Discomfort urinating
After two months - lower abdominal cramping, pain, vaginal bleeding
Male:
Inflammation of urethra
Yellowish-white or yellowish-green discharge from penis
Burning while urinating
Some have no symptoms at all
What is the risk factor of Gonorrhea?
Sexual contact
What is the prevention method for Gonorrhea?
Abstinence
What is the treatment for Gonorrhea?
Antibiotics
Describe Syphilis.
Bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, which must be in body fluids to survive.
How is Syphilis transmitted?
The bacteria enters the body through openings in skin or mucous membranes.
What are the symptoms of the Primary Stage of Syphilis?
Presence of chancre(s)
Very contagious
Chancres heal after a few weeks
What are the symptoms of the Secondary Stage of Syphilis?
Fever, fatigue, sore throat, hoarseness, headache, decreased appetite, swollen lymph glands, loss of hair, contagious rashes
What are the symptoms of the Third Stage of Syphilis?
No symptoms, lasts until death for most people
What are the symptoms of Late Syphilis?
Bacteria infects organs (heart, joints, eyes, skin, liver, bones, stomach, nervous system), which causes lesions called gammas in organs. Mental degradation causes death.
What are the risk factor of Syphilis?
Being around/touching an infected person
What is the prevention method for Syphilis?
Avoid people who are infected
What is the treatment for Syphilis?
Penicillin or other antibiotics
Damage to organs cannot be reversed
Describe Diabetes mellitus.
Any condition in which the body cannot use glucose properly, which results in high blood-sugar levels. Either insulin is not produced, or it is not working properly. This results in heart disease, kidney failure, heart attacks, blindness, and severe infections. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US.
How is Diabetes mellitus transmitted?
Cause of Diabetes is unknown
What are the risk factors of Diabetes mellitus?
Genetics, autoimmune problems, pregnancy, prolonged periods of stress (hormone level change), obesity
What are the general symptoms of Diabetes mellitus?
Polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), unexplained weight loss, dry skin, polyphagia (extreme hunger), sudden vision changes, fatigue, sores that don’t heal well/quickly, numbness, high blood sugar, sugar in urine
Describe Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin-Dependant Diabetes Mellitus - IDDM) and its treatment.
IDDM occurs most often in children and teenagers. Beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are destroyed. Treatment:
Healthy eating habits, insulin injections, and increased physical activity
Describe Type 2 Diabetes (NIDDM) and its treatment.
NIDDM occurs in overweight middle-aged adults, which constitutes the majority of diabetic patients. The body produces enough insulin, but the cells are resistant.
Treatment:
Insulin injections are optional
Hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) medication
Lifestyle change
Describe Gestational Diabetes and its treatment.
Occurs only in pregnant women.
The demand for additional insulin is too great.
Treatment:
Insulin injections and a change in diet
Describe cancer and how it’s spread.
An uncontrolled growth of abnormal, mutated cells. Malignant tumors are cancerous. Cancer is spread (metastasizes) to distant organs through blood and lymphatic systems.
What are the 4 classifications of cancer?
Carcinomas, Sarcomas, Lymphomas, Leukemias
What are treatments for cancer?
Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy
What are prevention methods for cancer?
Eating a healthy diet, avoid alcohol, eat high fiber foods
What is the acronym for cancer symptoms?
C hange in bladder/bowel movements A sore that does not heal U nusual bleeding or discharge T hickening or lumps I ndigestion or difficulty swallowing O bvious change in wart or mole N aging hoarseness or cough
Explain the melanoma (skin cancer) ABCD test.
A = Asymmetry B = Border C = Color D = Diameter
Describe Alzheimer’s Disease and it’s diagnosis method.
A brain disorder that affects adults ages 65+. Diagnosis is through an autopsy.
What causes Alzheimer’s Disease?
Cause is unknown, but may have a genetic link.
What are the risk factors of Alzheimer’s?
Age, genetics, toxic environment
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
Mental degradation, forgetfulness, dependent on others for daily physical care, most patients die from an infection
What is the treatment for Alzheimer’s?
No cure; medications slow brain deterioration
What are the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases?
Smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, high fat diet, obese, physically inactive, family history
What is the cause of heart disease?
LDL (low density lipoprotein) a.k.a. cholesterol
Describe Atherosclerosis.
Buildup of fat and cholesterol on arterial walls. Plaques restrict blood flow and arterial elasticity, which causes blood pressure to increases, making the heart work harder.
What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis?
High cholesterol levels, hypertension, thromboses
What are prevention methods for atherosclerosis?
Not smoking, exercising regularly, healthy diet
What is the procedure that helps decrease the symptoms of atherosclerosis?
Angioplasty procedure = deflated balloon on tube that inflates and flattens plaques on arterial walls
Describe hypertension.
Constant high blood pressure; affects 15-20% of US adults
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
High blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg) or higher
Arteriosclerosis (arterial wall thickening)
Can lead to blindness and heart attacks
Describe a stroke.
Blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted by a clot, causing cells to die.
What are the 3 types of strokes?
Thrombotic Stroke, Cerebral Embolism, Hemorrhagic Stroke
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Weakness/numbness Confusion Trouble speaking and understanding speech Loss of balance and coordination Severe headaches Memory loss Possible death
What are the risk factors of a stroke?
Smoking, hypertension, family history, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis
What are prevention methods for a stroke?
Healthy diet, exercise, 5-year check-ups
What is the treatment for a stroke?
Clot dissolving drugs
Describe congestive heart failure.
Heart that is overworked for years can’t keep up with body’s needs, causing fluids to collect in body tissues.
What are the symptoms for congestive heart failure?
Swelling (edema), fluid in lungs (pulmonary edema)
What are the risk factors for congestive heart failure?
Hypertension, arteriosclerosis, stress
What is the treatment for congestive heart failure?
Use of diuretics, vasodilators (relax and expand arteries)
Digitalis is a drug widely used for increasing heart pumping
