Infection (325E1) Flashcards

1
Q

what is an infection

A

colonization of a host by a microbial species

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2
Q

localized infection

A

specific to one place

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3
Q

systemic infection

A

spread to several regions/areas of the body

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4
Q

common causes of an infection

A

virus (only DNA ot RNA, surrounded by a protein shell), needs a host or cannot (ex: covid, aids, flu, chxn pox)

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5
Q

bacteria causes of an infection

A

larger than a virus, single celled organism. it has 1 strain of dna and can replicate w/o a host and it can adapt & supress the bodies defense mechanisms (strep, uti, tb)

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6
Q

causes of an infection: fungal

A

(rare) spore forming organisms (ex: yeast infection)

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7
Q

causes of an infection: protozoa

A

(rare) typically live in water / environment (malaria)

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8
Q

causes of an infection: helminths

A

(rare) parasitic worms

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9
Q

causes of an infection: prions

A

(rarest) proteinaceocus infectious particles, only composed on protein. it is tiny misfolded DNA (mad cow)

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10
Q

reservoir

A

habitat where organism usually lives & grows (microorganism must have; can be humans, animals, infects, environment)

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11
Q

direct modes of transmission

A

kissing, sex, direct contact w/ contaminated substances (hook warms, STDs), drop

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12
Q

indirect modes of transmission

A

airborne, vehicle (through water, food or blood, ex Hep A) vector borne (mosquitos, fleas, ticks)

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13
Q

portal of entries

A

-oropharynx & nasopharynx (airways, lungs, stomach & GI *very common)
-GU tract (STDs, catheters)
-skin

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14
Q

what is the bodies biggest barrier

A

skin but is also the biggest vulnerability if you get cuts or wounds

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15
Q

portal of entry: translocation

A

movement of bacteria across the intestinal lining, occurs frequently in the peritoneal cavity from bacteria leaking from gut and also occurs in the bloodstream

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16
Q

portal of entry: blood

A

contamination blood given in a transfusion and also needle sticks

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17
Q

portal of entry: maternal fetal transmission

A

cross the placenta barrier and directly to fetus (ex: zika, listeria)

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18
Q

stages of infection: incubation period

A

time from getting into the body to when symptoms first appear (no symptoms in this stage)

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19
Q

stages of infection: prodromal stage

A

onset of non specific symptoms

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20
Q

stages of infection: acute stage

A

specific signs & symptoms of microbe (sick, can’t get out of bed)

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21
Q

stages of infection: convalescent stage

A

symptoms are improving, illness is leaving

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22
Q

stages of infection: resolution phase

A

pathogen is eliminated from the body some pathogens never get to this point (ex: chx pox)

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23
Q

the infectious process is also known as what

A

the inflammatory process (it is when your body is fighting what is going on)

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24
Q

phases of the infectious process

A

1) injury
2) increased permeability
3) immigration of leukocytes
4) phagocytosis
5) exudate
6) systemic symptoms

25
Q

infectious process: injury

A

initial insult to area occurs, short period of vasoconstriction to stop the bleeding & prevent movement of organisms which is then followed by a prolonged period of vasodilation to bring WBC to the area and this contributes to the symptoms of inflammation

26
Q

signs of inflammation

A

heat, swelling, redness, pain, & 1 more (figure it out)

27
Q

stages of infection: increased permeability

A

at the site of the injury, fluid is pulled out of the vascular space, becomes permeable and then goes into the tissue (aka the place of injurt)

28
Q

what is the purpose of the fluid becoming permeable during the infection process

A

allows the good WBC to get out of the blood and into the area of injury bc it rarely happens within the blood vessel

29
Q

stages of infection: immigration of leukocytes

A

neutrophils (wbc) are attracted to area of injury. they attach to the endothelium of injured cells and move through into surrounding tissues

30
Q

what other cells, besides neutrophils, might be involved during the immigration of leukocytes

A

eosinophils, NK cells, monocytes

31
Q

stages of infection: phagocytosis

A

leukocytes are now at the site and in this phase they recognize, engulf and destroy invading organisms

32
Q

stages of infection: exudate

A

transports the leukocytes to injured area, dilute toxins that might be present and transport nutrients for the healing process

33
Q

exudate

A

the stuff that comes from fluid leaking from blood vessels, along with cells and debris from phagocytosis (at the beginning it is good but can turn into a bad thing)

34
Q

stages of infection: systemic symptoms

A

can if infectious process doesn’t remain localized (not resolved after first 5 stesps), it is a total body response that stimulates the hypothalamic fever set point

35
Q

what is the purpose of the hypothalamic fever

A

it is a protective factor

36
Q

when the fever set point increases

A

-helps body converse heat
-stimulates defense mechanisms to help rid body of organism
-some bacteria less virulent & divide slow
-improves own immune system

37
Q

what happens when an infection sticks around after the systemic phase

A

colonization ( the pathogen inhibits a specific body site but does not cause S/s, ex: non symp staph) “you are not sick with it”

38
Q

can a person be colonized without having an active infection?

A

yes, colonization can occur without an active infection but it can turn from colonized to active

39
Q

how do we know when there is an infection?

A

VS (always do first & they usually increase), labs (one of the best things to do)

40
Q

gram stain

A

takes a stain of the bacteria and shows whether it is gram + or gram - within hours (also shows shape and arrangement)

41
Q

is gram positive or negative more dangerous

A

gram negative b/c their outer membrane are often hidden by capsules or slime layers which hides antigens harder to fight

42
Q

culture and sensitivity

A

do a sensitivity of the gram stain, basic results back in 24 hr and full ID + sensitivity pattern may take up to 72 hr (tells us the exact bacteria & what antibiotic they’re sensitive too)

43
Q

what can you culture

A

sputum, urine and blood (do this to know where the infection is)

44
Q

culturing blood

A
  • do aerobic & anaerobic
    -2 different sticks (ideally peripheral)
45
Q

septic means

A

infection in the blood

46
Q

what is expected in urine

A

-pH: 5.0-9.0
-<5 RBC, WBC, & epithelial cells
-nitrites are abnormal (expected is negative)
-leukocytes are abnormal (expected is negative)

47
Q

what do nitrites in the urine indicate

A

bacteria in the urine

48
Q

what do leukocytes indicate in the urine

A

infection

49
Q

RBC & WBC >5 in urine indicates what

A

infection

50
Q

epithelial cells >5 in the urine indicate what

A

cancer

51
Q

nosocomial

A

infections that occur while in the healthcare facility

52
Q

characteristics of a nosocomial infection

A

-more virulent ( cause more disruption & spread quickly)
-become drug resistance

53
Q

examples of nosocomial infection

A

MRSA, CRE (a class, very big deal) , MDRO

54
Q

superinfection

A

new infection that occurs during treatment typically caused by a resistant organism antibiotics were given, killed or inhibited normal flora and then the resistant ones proliferated and become a huge infection (ex: C.diff & candidiasis)

55
Q

C.diff

A

normal intestinal flora killed by antimicrobial administration but c. diff isn’t killed and grows out of control causing intense diarrhea & cramping for days to months we do not what to stop diarrhea bc we want the body to get rid of it

56
Q

what test do we use to diagnose C.diff

A

polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and it looks for DNA marker bc we do not culture stool

57
Q

what isolation is C.diff

A

contact D; must wear gown & gloves & wash hands w/ soap

58
Q

how to treat C.diff

A

PO/IV metronidazole (flagyl) or PO vancomycin

59
Q

complications of C.diff

A

pseudomembranous colitis which is life threatening -> might dilation of the colon which may need to be decompressed