Infectious Diseases Flashcards
Infectious diseases
disorders caused by organisms
pathogens
invasion or infection of a host by microorganism
Bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that cause diseases
- disrupt a vital body process
- stimulates the immune system to support a defensive reaction
Direct Transmission
- Contact between body surfaces (touching or sexual intercourse
- droplet spread (inhalation of contaminated air droplets from someone who sneezes in close proximity)
- fecal-oral spread (feces on the host’s hands are brought into contact with the new host’s mouth)
Indirect Transmission
- water, food, towels, clothing, and eating utensils
- by living things (insects, bird, or animals)
- airborne transmission
5 stages of infection
- incubation period (no S&S)
- Prodomoal period (vague, general symptoms)
- illness (most severe S&S)
- decline (declining s&S)
- convalescence (no S&S)
Incubation period
- no S&S
- from the time a pathogen enters the body until it multiplies to the point where S&S of disease begins to appear
Prodromal Period
- vague, general S&S
- a variety of S&S may briefly develop
Illness Period
- most severe S&S
- the disease reaches its greatest development
- high likelihood of transmitting other diseases
Decline Period
- decline in S&S
- first signs of recovery appear
Convalesce Period
- no S&S
- apparent recovery
Mumps
- a contagious viral disease that manifests w/ enlarged parotid and salivary glands
- 2-3 week incubation period
- Transmission: airborne, direct/indirect salivary secretions
Mumps S&S
- parotitis
- headache
- fever
- malaise
- anorexia
- vomiting
- joint pain
- dry mouth
Mumps Treatment
- soft foods (avoid spicy or acidic foods)
- OTC meds
Mumps RTP
at physician discretion (10-14 days)
Measles
- Spread is attributed to living in remote communities, misinformation regarding vaccines, cultural factors, and insufficient vaccine
- 1-2 week incubation period
- Transmission: airborne, droplet or nasal or throat secretions
Measles S&S
- rash
- sore throat
- fever
- conjunctivitis
- cough
Measles Treatment
- no antiviral meds
- treat symptoms
- OTC analgesics/antipyretics
Measles Prevention
vaccine
Varicella Virus
“Chicken Pox”
- highly contagious childhood disease
Varicella Virus S&S
- full bodu maculopapular rash
- headaches
- fever
- malaise
Varicella Virus Treatment
- antiviral treatment (acyclovir)
- pain meds
- topical analgesics
Varicella Virus RTP
- 10-14 days of antiviral treatment
- lesions have firm, adherent crust
- no signs of secondary bacterial infection
Herpes Zoster Virus
“shingles”
- reactivation of varicella in dorsal root ganglia and terminal nerve roots
- can only get this if you have had varicella virus
Herpes Zoster Virus S&S
- painful rash spanning dermatomes
Herpes Zoster Virus Treatment
- pain meds
- antiviral treatment (acyclovir)
- topical analgesics
Herpes Zoster Virus RTP
- 10-14 days of antiviral treatment
- lesions have firm, adherent crust
- no signs of secondary bacterial infection
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver and is characterized by diffuse necrosis affecting the smallest secretory units in the liver
- incubation period of 2 weeks to 6 months
Hepatitis S&S
- malaise
- fatigue
- URTI
- mild abdominal pain
- joint pain
- headaches
- fever
- rash
- jaundice (appears in 5-10 days and lasts for 1-2 weeks)
Hepatitis Treatment
usually resolve in 4-8 weeks, but many have lasting issues
Hepatitis A
transmitted through oral-fecal contact and poor sanitation
- 2/3 of all cases
- high fever
- prevention: vaccine
Hepatitis B
transmitted through blood or bodily fluids
- 100x easier to contract than HIV
- can live outside host for extended period of time
- can become chronic
- asymptomatic
- Prevention: vaccine
Hepatitis C
transmitted through blood or bodily fluids
- 50-84% become chronic
- highest mortality rate
- 20% result in Cirrhosis
- no prevention besides avoiding risky behavior
Hepatitis D
transmitted through blood or bodily fluids
- similar to HBV
- 2-20% mortality rate
- highly prone to developing chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of liver
- prevention: HBV vaccine
Hepatitis E
transmitted through oral-fecal and contaminated water/food
- Prevention: ensure safe drinking water, avoid undercooked pork & shellfish
