Dr Morse Handout Q 1-11 Flashcards
Define endemic?
Consistently present or prevalent in a population or geographical area
Define epidemic?
Outbreak of a disease that substantially exceeds expectations based on recent experience
Define pandemic
Outbreak of a disease on a global scale
Define bacteria
small organisms that can grow outside of the human cell with the proper temperature and nutrients, and cause disease by invading and multiplying in the hosts tissues
Define virus
Small organisms that cause disease and can only grow and multiply inside of the hosts tissues
Define prions
An infectious “mismolded” protein responsible for responsible for mammalian transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, such as, mad cow. It affects the brain or other neural tissue and is universally fatal.
Define fungi
Small organisms that grow rapidly with the right nutrients and cause infection related to contact with decaying organic matter or from airborne spores from molds.
Define parasites
Any living organism that takes advantage of the host by feeding of cells and tissue
Define obligate intracellular organisms
Parasites that cannot reproduce outside their host cell, meaning that the parasite’s reproduction is entirely reliant on intracellular resources. Ex. Chlamydia, Rickettsia
How can infectious diseases be transmitted?
- Direct contact (touching, puncture, transfusion)
- Indirect Contact (touching infected object)
- Droplet transmission (coughing or sneezing 3-6’ rule)
- Airborne (aerosolized particles remain airborne, cough, sneeze)
- Vector (mosquito)
How do pre-exposure vaccinations work?
Live or inactive, fractionated bacteria or viruses that create immunity by causing the immune system to create antibodies to a specific strain of bacteria or virus.
What vaccinations are recommended for healthcare providers?
Hep A, Hep B, MMR, Varicella, TB (testing), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, Influenza, poliomyelitis
How does post-exposure prophylaxis work?
Preventive medical treatment started immediately after exposure to a pathogen, in order to prevent infection by the pathogen and the development of disease.
What pathogen exposures are prophylactics typically given?
Hep C, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Rabies, TB
What is meant by the “carrier state” of a disease?
A person or animal that harbors a specific infectious agent without discernible clinical disease and serves as a potential source of infection. The carrier may be healthy, asymptomatic or just be in an incubation period. The carrier state may be of short or long duration.
