Disease Processes Flashcards
Acute
sudden onset
can sometimes lead to chronic
Chronic
evolve slowly
Infectious
caused by organisms
Non-infectious
genetic or environmental causes
communicable
are contagious
person to person
non-communicable
can not be transmitted
Symptomatic Infection
noticeable disease results (S+S develop)
Asymptomatic, subclinical, non-apparent infection
no disease present (no S+S)
colonialization has not reached high enough levels to cause symptomatic infection (can be a carrier or takes longer for symptoms to occur)
Opportunistic Infection
infection caused by bacterial, viral, fungal or protozoan pathogens that take advantage pf weakened immune system or altered microbiota
Local infection
regional/system target
root infection of the systemic infection
Systemic Infection
Infection throughout body
Superinfection
a secondary infection caused b/c of the action of an antimicrobial that has wiped out/weakened the normal flora that normally keeps the invading organism in check
Stages of infectious disease
- Incubation
- Prodromal Period
- Illness Phase
- Convalescence
Incubation
Infected patient is unaware of it
Length of time to illness signs/symptoms varies by organism and immune system of host as well as external/internal stresses to host
Infection (if communicable) can be spread
Prodromal Period
Short interval preceding the infectious disease s/sx
Are non-specific, but patient feels ill or like they are ‘coming down with something’
Is a caused, in part, by a rapid response by the immune system (fever, inflammatory cascade) (can happen during acquired immunity either by vaccination or natural exposure to the pathogen)
Illness Phase
Incline of illness (time of greatest s/sx specific to the pathogen)
Decline of illness (patient has ‘turned the corner’ in terms of s/sx)
Convalescence
Pathogen replication has stopped and pathogens are dying off or becoming inactive
Body is regaining its pre-illness strength
Fever
Toxins and invading organism’s ‘foreign’ protein stimulates fever response
Increased body temp (one or two degrees)
look at WBC labs
tx w/ tylenol (acet.), ice packs
Pain
Warning device that something is wrong (when acute pain)
Results from cell/tissue damage and inflammatory response
Cytokine Response
Interleukin and interferon message to stimulate antibody, T and B cell production, macrophage response
Also stimulate body temperature via cytokine pyrogens
Inflammatory Response
Histamine release from Mast Cells cause edema
- Stimulates movement of inflammatory factors and immune response proteins
- Increase ‘leakiness’ of capillaries to facilitate transport/movement
Immune System
Macrophages, helper T cells, killer T cells, B cells, suppressor T cells
Immune response
Macrophages
general response consume some invaders and products and display antigen on their surface to signal antibody response (B and T cells)
Immune Response
Helper T cells
multiply and stimulate other T and B cells
Immune response
Killer T cells
destroy pathogens and invading cells and signal more macrophage action
Immune response
B cells
produces antibodies in response to antigen
Immune response
Suppressor T cells
signal cleanup and increased blood and lymphocytes to remove dead cells and debris
Acquired immunity
Active
exposure to antigen or antigenic proteins
ex. vaccines
Acquired immunity
passive
antibody injection, gamma globulin
Types of Immune responses
Acquired immunity
Allergies
Autoimmune
Fever Response
Prototype: Hep B Vaccine (Recombivax)
Mechanism of action: vaccine, to provide active immunity
primary use: individuals who are at risk of exposure to hep B
Adverse effects: pain and inflammation at injection site, transient fever or fatigue, potential for hypersensitivity
Prototype: Interferon alpha-2a
Mechanism of action: enhances or stimulates immune system to remove antigens, suppresses growth of cancer cells, antiviral activity
Primary use: to remove hairy-cell leukemia, chronic hep C or malignant melanoma
Adverse effects: flu-like, N/V, diarrhea, anorexia, headache, dizziness
