Exam 3 Flashcards
aspirin
NSAID/an anti-inflammatory
reduces symptoms of pain and inflammation, but not always a good thing
allows microorganisms to continue growing when it reduces inflammation
can lead to Reye’s Syndrome b/c limited inflammation allows virus to go to brain and cause swelling
fever
an immune response
initiated by inflammation
raises body temperature to beyond what is “acceptable” for invading microorganisms
body temperature must be produced and less heat must be lost
inflammation
an immune response
happens when macrophages become overwhelmed and the body needs the next line of defense
purpose is to limit the spread of the injury
causes blood vessels to dilate and allows more blood to come to the area
brings in large numbers of neutrophils
often will lead to fever as well
macrophage
means “big eaters”
phagocytoses lots of microorganisms when they get through the basement membrane
basically perform border control
also play a role in the immune response when it displays the proteins of a microorganism for lymphocytes to identify
mucous membrane
only a single layer of cells
lines anything that is open to the outside (ie - respiratory, urinary, digestive systems)
traps the microorganisms
is constantly being washed, so the microorganisms are then washed away
mucus
thick layer; gooey, viscous
traps microorganism
cannot swim through this
constantly washed, washes away microorganisms
NK cells
means “natural killer” cells
second line of defense with macrophages
a lymphocyte which kills any host cells that have been infected
designed to deal with the intra-cellular parasites
Reye’s Syndrome
caused when aspirin is used to reduce fever and inflammation
in the case of chicken pox or the flu, the virus travels from the skin or the lungs and infects the brain
causes swelling in the brain
can cause coma, permanent brain damage, and even death in about 25% of cases
acute infection
tend to develop rapidly to severe symptoms
recovery is also generally rapid - a few days
examples: meningitis and strep throat
basement membrane
a filter around blood capillaries to prevent microorganisms from entering the bloodstream
allows nutrients and oxygen to pass through to nourish cells
bacteria are too big to fit through this
sort of like gauze
chronic infection
develop slowly
take a long time to recover from - weeks or even months
usually relatively mild
example: infectious mononucleosis (mono)
convalescence period
the period of time when there are too few microorganisms to cause symptoms
still present though and can be spread to a new host
will continue until all of the infecting microorganisms are killed
decline period
when the body’s defenses gain the upper hand and the population of the microorganisms decrease
new microorganism are still being produced, but more are being killed than are being “born”
symptoms are also declining during this period
human reservoir
some microorganisms are permanently carried around by individuals called carriers
these MOs can only survive in and be acquired from other humans
cannot survive very long outside of a human body and cannot grow outside of a human body
incubation period
the first phase when a MO is introduced to a host
the amount of time needed for the population of MOs to reach critical number to produce symptoms
varies from MO to MO
local infection
meaning that the infection is restricted to one area of the body
happens because the MOs are unable to enter the bloodstream itself
prevented from entering the bloodstream b/c of basement membrane
non-human reservoir
anything where bacteria can grow that is not human
ex - polluted water, animals
some MOs can grow in animals and humans: rabies, for example
normal flora
the bacteria and yeast that normally live and grow on certain regions of a person’s body
skin, mouth, nasal cavity, large intestine, urinary openings
restricted to the surface of the region
compete with each other and more dangerous MOs for nutrients
opportunistic
MOs that wait for a “hole” to be made that they can cross
if the skin is scraped or burned, the first line of defense is breached and MOs will get in
normal flora would fall into this category
pathogenic
very aggressive MOs
can force their way across the body lining
ex - bacteria that causes typhoid fever produces enzymes the can dissolve holes in lining of the intestine to gain access to the bloodstream
peak disease period
when specific symptoms are added to general symptoms
blisters w/ chicken pox, paralysis in meningitis, “locked jaw” in tetanus
when the population of infecting MOs have reached its maximum
prodromal period
when there are enough MOs to cause general symptoms
fever, headache, loss of energy, muscle aches, etc.
also includes inflammation
indicates that the body has begun its counter-attack
reservoir
a source of MOs or a place where they both grow and can be picked up
generally 2 types: human and non-human
MOs can be transmitted to a new host by direct or indirect contact w/ the reservoir
systemic infection
when MOs are able, by force or by opportunity, to break thru the basement membrane surrounding capillary
can enter the bloodstream and spread thru the body
very serious infections, even life-threatening