epidemiology Flashcards
is the study of factors that
determine the
frequency, distribution,
and determinants of
diseases in human
populations
Epidemiology
If the infectious disease is transmissible from one human to another it is called a
communicable disease
is defined as a communicable disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another
contagious
disease
Infectious diseases that humans acquire from animal sources are called
zoonotic diseases or zoonoses
is defined as the
number of new cases of that disease in a defined population during a specific time period
incidence
expressed as the number of new cases of a particular disease that occurred during a specified time period per a specifically defined population
morbidity rate
the number of cases of the disease existing in a given population during a specific time period
period prevalence
is the number of cases of the disease existing in a given population at a particular moment in time
point prevalence
also known as the death rate is the ratio of the number of people who died of a particular disease during a specified time period
Mortality Rate
is a disease that occurs only occasionally
(sporadically) within the population of a particular geographic area
Sporadic Disease
are diseases that are always present within the population of a particular geographic area
Endemic Disease
a disease that is occurring in epidemic proportions in many countries simultaneously
Pandemic Diseases
The six components in
the chain of infection
(a) a pathogen,
(b) a reservoir of
infection
(c) a portal
of exit,
(d) a mode of
transmission,
(e) a portal of entry,
(f) a susceptible host.
The sources of microbes that cause infectious diseases are many and varied. They are known as
reservoirs
is a person who
is colonized with a particular pathogen, but the pathogen is not currently causing disease in that person
carrier
carry the pathogen without ever having had the disease.
Passive carriers
a person who is capable of transmitting a pathogen during the incubation period
incubatory carrier
harbor and can transmit a particular pathogen while recovering from an infectious disease
Convalescent carriers
carriers have completely recovered from the disease, but continue to harbor the pathogen indefinitely
Active carriers
are inanimate objects capable of transmitting pathogens. found within healthcare settings include patients’ gowns, bedding, towels, eating and drinking utensils, and hospital equipment
Fomites