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Epidemiology 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is epidemiology?

A

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution, determinants, and control of diseases in populations.

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2
Q

What is the main focus of the Epidemiology module?

A

It focuses on communicable and non-communicable diseases, including their signs, symptoms, causes, prevention, and control measures.

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3
Q

Define communicable disease.

A

A communicable disease is an illness caused by transmission of a specific causative agent from a reservoir to a susceptible host, either directly or indirectly.

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4
Q

Define non-communicable disease.

A

A non-communicable disease is not spread from person to person and is often chronic, influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

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5
Q

What is an infectious agent?

A

An infectious agent is any organism or substance capable of producing infection or causing disease.

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6
Q

What is infection?

A

Infection is the successful invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the body.

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7
Q

Define reservoir in epidemiology.

A

A reservoir is any human, animal, plant, soil, or inanimate object where an infectious agent normally lives, multiplies, and from which it can be transmitted.

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8
Q

What is zoonosis?

A

Zoonosis is an infectious disease that can be naturally transmitted from animals to humans.

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9
Q

Give examples of diseases caused by viruses.

A

Examples include measles, smallpox, and certain rickettsial diseases.

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10
Q

Name some diseases caused by bacteria.

A

Examples include typhus, cholera, and gonorrhoea.

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11
Q

What diseases are caused by fungi as mentioned?

A

Fungal infections such as candidiasis, tinea capitis, and histoplasmosis.

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12
Q

Which diseases are caused by protozoa?

A

Diseases such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, and amoebiasis.

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13
Q

What are helminths?

A

Helminths are parasitic worms, including nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes.

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14
Q

Define the incubation period.

A

The incubation period is the time between exposure to an infectious agent and the appearance of the first symptoms.

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15
Q

What does infectivity refer to?

A

Infectivity is the ability of an infectious agent to spread from one host to another.

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16
Q

Define pathogenicity.

A

Pathogenicity is the capacity of an organism to cause disease in a host.

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17
Q

What is virulence?

A

Virulence is the degree of severity or harm caused by an infectious agent.

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18
Q

Define antigenic power (antigenicity).

A

Antigenic power is the ability of an agent to stimulate an immune response.

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19
Q

What is resistance in epidemiology?

A

Resistance is the sum total of the body’s defenses, including immunity, that limit infection and disease progression.

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20
Q

Define a carrier.

A

A carrier is an individual who harbors a disease-causing organism without showing symptoms but can transmit it.

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21
Q

What is an incubatory carrier?

A

An incubatory carrier transmits the infection during the incubation period before symptoms appear.

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22
Q

Define convalescent carrier.

A

A convalescent carrier spreads the infection during the recovery phase after symptoms subside.

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23
Q

What is an intermittent carrier?

A

An intermittent carrier harbors and transmits the pathogen on and off, not continuously.

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24
Q

Define a chronic carrier.

A

A chronic carrier maintains and transmits the disease over a long period, often without symptoms.

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25
What is a healthy carrier?
A healthy carrier shows no signs of illness but can still spread the infection to others.
26
Define immunity.
Immunity is the state of resistance to a specific disease, often due to the presence of antibodies or cellular immunity.
27
What is active immunity?
Active immunity develops when an individual is exposed to a pathogen or vaccine, leading to antibody production.
28
Define passive immunity.
Passive immunity is acquired through the transfer of preformed antibodies from another source.
29
What is herd immunity?
Herd immunity is the protection of a community against a disease when a sufficient proportion of the population is immune.
30
What is a vaccine?
A vaccine is an immunobiological substance designed to stimulate protective immunity against a specific disease.
31
List the three main epidemiological strategies discussed.
Descriptive studies, hypothesis formulation, and analytical studies (observational or experimental).
32
What is the chain of epidemiology?
It is a process that begins with data aggregation, leads to hypothesis generation, and is followed by analytical testing to determine disease causation.
33
How do ecological factors contribute to disease causation?
They describe the interactions between organisms and their environment, influencing the development and spread of diseases.
34
What does the term 'sine qua non' imply in disease causation?
It refers to essential factors without which the disease would not occur.
35
What are host factors in disease development?
Host factors are intrinsic attributes, including genetic predispositions, that influence susceptibility to disease.
36
Define environmental factors in disease development.
Environmental factors include biological, physical, and social elements that affect the occurrence and spread of disease.
37
What does the 'web of causation' illustrate?
It shows that diseases result from a complex interplay of multiple causes rather than a single factor.
38
Explain the 'wheel model' in epidemiology.
The wheel model emphasizes that while various components contribute to disease causation, the host’s genetic core often plays a central role.
39
What is primary prevention?
Primary prevention involves measures taken to prevent the onset of disease, such as health education, sanitation, and immunization.
40
Name the two components of primary prevention.
General health promotion (GHP) and specific measures (SM) like chemoprophylaxis and immunization.
41
What is secondary prevention?
Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and treatment to slow disease progression and prevent further transmission.
42
List some methods used in secondary prevention.
Screening, case finding, mass X-rays, and smear tests for early detection.
43
What is tertiary prevention?
Tertiary prevention involves rehabilitation efforts to reduce disability and restore function in affected individuals.
44
Name the three forms of rehabilitation in tertiary prevention.
Medical, social, and vocational rehabilitation.
45
Define surveillance in epidemiology.
Surveillance is the continuous collection, analysis, and dissemination of health data to guide public health actions.
46
What are the two main objectives of epidemiological surveillance?
To detect acute problems for immediate action and to monitor long-term trends for planning and control.
47
Define sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
STIs are infections transmitted through sexual contact, affecting the genital areas and potentially causing serious complications.
48
What was the former term for STIs?
They were formerly known as venereal diseases (VD).
49
What causes gonorrhoea?
Gonorrhoea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
50
How is syphilis transmitted and diagnosed?
Syphilis is transmitted via sexual contact and can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.
51
What causes genital herpes?
Genital herpes is primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2, though type 1 can also cause genital infections.
52
List common symptoms of genital herpes.
Sores, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, pain during urination or intercourse, and fatigue.
53
What are some health consequences of STIs in women?
They can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
54
What are some social consequences of STIs?
Stigma, rejection, relationship conflicts, and potential psychological and emotional issues.
55
What economic impacts can STIs have?
High treatment costs, loss of productive life, and increased economic burden on society.
56
Which sexual practices increase the risk of STIs?
Unprotected sex, inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partners, and contact with sex workers.
57
How does substance use affect STI risk?
Substance use, including alcohol and recreational drugs, can lead to impaired judgment and risky sexual behavior.
58
What social factors can contribute to the spread of STIs?
Factors such as sexual assault, prostitution, HIV stigma, exposure to violence, and low socioeconomic status.
59
What other factors may affect STI transmission?
A history of STIs, forced sexual activity, high viral loads, and circumcision status can influence transmission risk.
60
How does the syndromic approach help in managing STIs?
It uses flow charts based on symptoms to guide treatment, making management accessible without sophisticated lab equipment.

Epidemiology (6 decks)

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