Infections and disease processes

Question 1

Discuss the importance of infection and disease processes on health

Answer 1

Can occur in any body system
Lead to the destruction of tissue
Result in an immune response that ‘should ‘ ultimately promote healing
May be spread from one person to another
May need antimicrobials to treat

Question 2

What are the different infection types

Answer 2

Endogenous infection - Source of the pathogen in the human host
Congenital infection- Endogenous disease of the foetus or neonate
Exogenous infection- Pathogen from the external Environment
Iatrogenic infection- Infections acquired in hospital, sometimes attributed to invasive medical procedures.

Question 3

What are the different phases of a infection/ disease profile

Answer 3

Process one (Incubation period, prodromal period)
Process Two (Acute or invasive period, Decline phase, convalescence)

Question 4

Identify some factors (both microbial and host) that influence the disease process

Answer 4

Microbial - Organisms virulence factors
Infective does of an organism
Host- Immune system , general health of the host, treatments of other diseases can alter immune system function, lifestyle and nutritional status, age, sex, genetic makeup of individuals
Other- Environmental factors, hygiene, hospitalisation

Question 5

Define Epidemic

Answer 5

A sudden, rapid rise in the incidence of a disease in a particular population or area

Question 6

Define pandemic

Answer 6

An epidemic that spreads worldwide

Question 7

Define endemic

Answer 7

A disease always present in a given population or specific region at a specific time of year

Question 8

Contagious