Epidemiology and Infection Control Flashcards
1
Q
What are the various patterns of infection?(5)
A
Epidemic, Pandemic, Endemic, Sporadic and outbreak!
2
Q
Define epidemic!
A
- usually high number of infected individuals in a population at one time. Can range from the small scale up to nationwide
ex: Ebola in West Africa
3
Q
Define pandemic!
A
- a world-wide epidemic
4
Q
Define endemic!
A
- constantly present, usually affecting a small proportion of the population
ex: MRSA is endemic to many hospitals
5
Q
Define sporadic!
A
- individual cases in geographically separate areas
- incidents are not related
6
Q
Define outbreak!
A
- a number of cases in a short period of time in the same area
- assumed to be related
7
Q
What are the various carriers?
A
aute carrier and chronic carrier
8
Q
What is a carrier?
A
- infected individual showing no obvious sign of disease
9
Q
Explain acute carrier!
A
- before symptoms appear
- carrier state of short duration
10
Q
Explain chronic carrier!
A
- long term
- may have recovered from the disease but still harbour pathogens
- may be asymptomatic
ex: Hepatitis, TB, typhoid fever
11
Q
Types of immunization?
A
- passive (antibody preparation)
- active (vaccines)
12
Q
Explain active immunization!
A
- modified/purified pathogens or their product
- stimulate host to produce own specific immunity
- a few weeks lag before protection, but long lasting
13
Q
Explain passive immunization!
A
- preformed antibodies created in another host
- protect individual exposed to disease
- work immediately but short term protection
