Introduction/Infectious Disease Epidemiology Flashcards
Define infectious disease.
Disease caused by an infectious agent, a pathogen.
Define what is known to be a pathogen.
Microorganisms susceptible to cause disease.
List the five aspects of microbes being able to cause a disease.
Gain access to the host (contamination) Adhere to the host (adherence) Replicate on the host (colonisation) Invade tissues (invasion) Harm the host: production of toxins, alteration of host functions, destruction of host tissues (damage).
Name 6 microbes.
Prokaryotes Fungi Protozoa Helminths Viruses Prions
What is infectious disease epidemiology used for?
Identification of causes of new, emerging infections.
Surveillance of infectious disease.
Identification of source of outbreaks.
Studies of routes of transmission and natural history of infections.
Define communicable disease.
Disease transmitted from one host to another.
Define noncommunicable disease.
Disease arising from outside of hosts or from opportunistic pathogens.
In regards to transmission, what does ‘index’ mean?
The first case identified.
What does the epidemiologic triad show?
That disease is the result of force within a dynamic system consisting of:
Agent of infection
Host
Environment
What are the ecological factors in infections?
Altered environment (air conditioning)
Changes in food production & handling (deep freeze, fast food industry)
Climate changes (global warming)
Deforestation
Ownership of exotic pets.
Increased use of immunosuppressives/antibiotics.
Define endemic.
Transmission occurs but the number of cases remain constant.
Define epidemic.
The number of cases increases.
Define pandemic.
When epidemics occur at several continents.
