Infection Control: Course of Infection By Stage Flashcards
1
Q
What is the incubation period of an infection?
A
- Interval between pathogen entering the body and first symptoms appearing
- Examples: Chickenpox 2-3 weeks, common cold 1-2 days, influenza 1-3 days, mumps 15-18 days
2
Q
What is the prodromal stage?
A
- Interval from onset of nonspecific symptoms (malaise, low fever, fatigue) to more specific symptoms
- Microorganisms grow and multiply, patient may be more contagious
3
Q
What is the illness stage?
A
- Interval when patient shows signs/symptoms specific to the infection type
- E.g. cold: sore throat, congestion; mumps: earache, fever, swollen glands
4
Q
What is the convalescence stage?
A
- Acute symptoms disappear, body replenishes resources to return to homeostasis
- Length depends on infection severity and patient’s overall health, can take days to months
5
Q
Where does the body normally contain microorganisms (normal flora)?
A
- On the skin surface and deep layers
- In the saliva and oral mucosa
- In the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts
6
Q
What role do the normal flora play?
A
- Do not typically cause disease in their usual areas
- Participate in maintaining health
- Assist in fighting infection and inflammation
- Maintain homeostasis
7
Q
How do gut microorganisms benefit the host?
A
- Convert dietary fiber into fatty acids reabsorbed by bowel
- Synthesize vitamins B, K, bile acids, and sterols
8
Q
What protects against pathogens invading when normal flora are disrupted?
A
- Bile’s antibacterial properties
- Fatty acids stabilizing normal flora populations
9
Q
What can disrupt the balance of normal flora?
A
- Acquiring new microorganisms (e.g. in hospital)
- Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
10
Q
What is a risk of using broad-spectrum antibiotics?
A
- Can lead to superinfection like Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
- Eliminates normal flora, reducing body’s defenses
11
Q
What body systems have unique defenses against infection?
A
- Skin
- Respiratory tract
- Gastrointestinal tract
12
Q
Why are these systems easily accessible to microorganisms?
A
- Pathogens can adhere to skin surface
- Pathogens can be inhaled into lungs
- Pathogens can be ingested with food
13
Q
How are the defenses suited to each system’s structure and function?
A
- Each system has physiologically suited defense mechanisms
- E.g. Airways lined with cilia to move mucus/trapped organisms
14
Q
What increases susceptibility to infection?
A
- Conditions that impair an organ system’s specialized defenses
15
Q
What is inflammation?
A
- The body’s cellular response to injury or infection
- A protective vascular reaction delivering fluid, blood products, and nutrients to injured area
- Neutralizes and eliminates pathogens or dead tissues
- Establishes means of repairing cells and tissues
