Immunity & Infections Flashcards
The 2 different means of transmission for all pathogens
Direct transmission – from person to person
Indirect transmission – from reservoir to insect, food, water, etc. to
person
What are allergies the result of? What is a serious allergic reaction called?
A hypersensitive and overactive immune system.
Anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening
Which organisms are beneficial for our survival?
Bacteria
Which organism has no DNA or RNA?
Prions. They consist of proteins
What is HIV infection and what major cell does it invade?
A chronic disease that progressively damages the body’s immune system.
It invades the CD4 T-cells, the white blood cells
3 ways of transmitting HIV
Sexual contact – unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal intercourse
Direct contact with infected blood – sharing needles, blood transfusions
HIV infected mother-to-child – pregnancy (placenta), birth, breastfeeding
When does HIV turn into AIDS?
When the CD4 T-cell count becomes lower than 200 cells per ml. of blood.
Diagnosed as AIDS, if HIV positive person develops an AIDS indicator infection or has severely damaged immune system
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is not an STD but is caused by STD’s. Which STD’s cause it and when?
PID is caused by the STD’s chlamydia and/or gonorrhea when adequate treatment has not been received
What is the most common STD that is diagnosed and treated at college
health centers? Also, what is the cure?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV), no cure
Why is Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) more contagious than HIV?
Yes, it is more contagious because it can spread through nonsexual close
contact, and in all body fluid
Pathogens
Disease causing microorganism
Portal of entry for pathogens
Penetration of the skin, inhalation, ingestion
White blood cells and their individual jobs
Neutrophils (engulfs foreign organisms), Macrophages (large cells - devour pathogens), Natural killer cells (destroys virus and cancer cells), Dendritic cells (activates lymphocytes), Lymphocytes (T-cells, B-cells)
Autoimmune disease
Body confuses its own cells as foreign organisms and tries to destroy them, more common in women than men
Incubation
Viruses or bacteria actively multiplying in the body, host can be contagious
Vaccines, how they work, and examples
Vaccines, how they work, examples: a killed/weakened pathogen given to stimulate the immune system
Ex. activeI (polio), passive (rabies), and acquired immunity (chicken pox)
How should you use antibiotics?
Don’t take every time you are sick, use them as directed and finish full course, never take without prescription
Bioterrorism
Intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops
(ex. anthrax, smallpox, plague, botulism, Ebola)
Major STDs
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis
Herpes
HPV
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Symptoms of HIV infection
Fever, fatigue, rashes, headache, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, night sweats, sore throat, nausea and diarrhea
Opportunistic infections
Infection most often seen among ppl with HIV is pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (protozoal infection)
Chlamydia
Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus. Causes Sterility.
Diagnosis: urine sample, fluid from urethra/cervix, or tissue sample
Treatment: antibiotics & retest 3-4 months after
Protection: condoms, safe sex
Gonorrhea
Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus. Causes sterility or arthritis.
Diagnosis: discharge, urine, throat or rectal fluids
Treatment: newer oral antibiotics
due to problem with drug resistance,
people often have chlamydia at same time
Protection: condoms, safe sex
Syphilis
Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus AND kissing. Remains in the body for life, leads to disfigurement, neurological disorders, or death.
Treatment & diagnosis: Diagnose through blood tests, treat with antibiotics.
Protection: avoid sex or those infected.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Harms woman’s reproductive system; can lead to sterility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pain – whether treated or not.
**NOT an STD, but caused by STD’s (chlamydia and/or gonorrhea)
Diagnosis: symptoms, pelvic exam, ultrasound
Treatment: antibiotics
Protection: condoms, safe sex
Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)
Spreads through sex, condoms not totally effective. Causes cervical or penile cancer.
Diagnosis: appearance of lesions, special exam, or biopsy
Treatment: remove warts by cryosurgery, electrocautery, or laser surgery.
Protection: vaccinations, condoms
Gentital Herpes (HSV)
Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus AND kissing. Causes cervical cancer.
Diagnosis: examination of fluid from sores, blood tests
Protection: avoid sex, or use condoms
NO CURE
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
Spread through ALL body fluid. Causes liver disease and death.
Diagnosis: blood tests
NO cure, NO treatment.
Prevent exchanging body fluids, use condoms, don’t share needles, get vaccinated.
Phases of Syphilis
Primary phase – 10-90 days after exposure - painless sores and wet
ulcers (chancre) at site of entry and swollen glands
Secondary phase – 3-6 weeks after chancre sore - up to 2 years
with body rash, mild fever, fatigue, sore throat (flulike symptoms), and hair loss
Late phase (tertiary) – damage to organs and nervous system, cardiovascular damage, blindness, death
Other STDs
Trichomoniasis: Increases risk of other STDs, HIV, and cervical cancer, can remain alive outside of body up to 6 hrs.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV): Caused by a shift in healthy bacteria (lacto-bacillus) vs. overgrowth of anaerobic microorganisms
Public Lice: Feeds on human blood, attaches to pubic hair
Scabies: minute burrowing parasitic mite that lays eggs beneath the skin
