Lecture 35: Cellular basis for the spread of infectious diseases Flashcards
What are the five stages of infectious disease?
- Incubation
- Prodromal
- Illness
- Decline
- Convalescence
What are the features of the incubation period?
- no visible signs/symptoms
- microbe first invades body
What are the features of the Prodromal period?
- vague symptoms
- threshold for microbe numbers is met
What are the features of the Illness period?
- most severe symptoms
- most likely to transmit disease
What are the features of the Decline period?
- declining symptoms
- immune system is working
What are the features of the Convalescence period?
- start to get better
What is epidemiology?
The study of disease transmission
6 factors in the chain of infection?
- Causative agent
- Source
- Mean of exit
- Mode of transmission
- Portal of entry
- people at risk
How do you stop Causative agents?
Rapid detection and treatment
How do you stop an infection source?
Good hygiene/sterilisation
How do you prevent mean of exit?
Waste removal/disinfection
How do you stop modes of transmission?
Air control/bed spacing
How do you prevent portals of entry?
Aseptic techniques/wound care
How do you help people at risk of infection?
Identify demographic then target them for special care
What is the definition of mortality?
The incidence of death in a population
