Communicable Diseases Flashcards
6 functions of public health
health protection health surveillance disease and injury prevention population health assessment health promotion emergency preparedness and response
endemic
the steady presence of a disease in a defined geographic area or population
outbreak/epidemic
when the new cases of a disease exceed the normal occurrence during a given period of time
pandemic
when a disease spread affects a large number of populations worldwide
purpose of immune systems
respond to foreign proteins (antigens) in the body with the intention to resist infection
how we acquire immunity
active = host produces antibodies in response to an antigen
passive = host receives antibodies produced by another source
both have natural and artificial
benefits of vaccination
considered the most significant achievement in preventative medicine in north america
incidence of new cases of select diseases drop by 100%
prevention of morbidity and mortality in those vaccinated and those around them (herd immunity)
benefit to health and savings in direct health care costs
bacterial diseases that are vaccine preventable
streptococcus pneumoniae diphtheria (corynebacterium diptheriae) tetanus (clostridium tetani) pertussis (bordetella pertussis) neisseria meningities
viral diseases that are vaccine preventable
influenza (influenza A and B)
hepatitis B
measles, mumps, rubella, varicella
HPV
influenza
RNA virus
types A B and C
typing is based on types of surface proteins
A has subtypes B and C do not
A and B viruses cause seasonal epidemics while type C causes mild respiratory illness
A and B strains are included in each years influenza vaccine
transmission and symptoms of influenza
transmission = via droplets or contact with respiratory secretions of infected individuals
symptoms = fever, respiratory illness (cough, sore throat, nasal congestion), headache, myalgia (muscle pain), malaise (body weakness)
rare symptoms = encephalopathy (brain disease), acute respiratory distress syndrome
influenza incubation
incubation = 1 day before symptoms develop and 5 days after becoming ill
period person is contagious (communicability) = depends on age and health of person, influenza can spread from individuals with no symptoms
complications of influenza
pneumonia (bacterial and viral)
ear and sinus infections
dehydration
worsening of chronic health conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes
groups at high risk of complications
adults older than 65 and those living in long term care facilities
children under 2 (all children under 5)
persons with chronic illness
immunosuppressed individuals
women who are pregnant or postpartum (within 2 weeks after delivery)
indigenous populations
obese individuals
impact of influenza
causes about 12,000 hospitalizations and 4,000 deaths in canada each year
in 2015-2016 there were 61 deaths from influenza, 1655 hospitalizations, and 263 people admitted to ICUs
influenza vaccine development
each february WHO provides a recommendation on the strains to be included in the vaccine for the northern hemisphere
two A viruses and one B virus are selected based on the characteristics of the current circulating influenza virus strains
a new vaccine is reformulated each year to protect against new influenza infections
FluWatch program objectives
detect flu outbreaks as early as possible
provide timely up to date information on flu activity in canada and abroad to health professionals
monitor circulating strains of the flu virus and assess their sensitivity to antiviral medications
provide information that WHO can use to make its recommendations on the best vaccine for seasonal flu shots
who is eligable for flu shots
all people 6 months of age or older who live, work, or go to school in alberta are eligible for a flu vaccine at no charge
population health approach
measure and analyze health status and SEDoH review evidence multiple strategies intersectoral collaboration upstream accountable for outcomes public involvement
socio-ecological determinants of health
income and social status social support networks social environments education work and working conditions physical environments biology and genetic endowment personal health practices and coping skills healthy childhood development health services culture gender