Lecture 4, part 4

Question 1

What is an epidemic curve?

Answer 1

Special type of histogram used to depict the time course of an epidemic

Question 2

Purpose of an epidemic curve

Answer 2

Provides a simple visual display of the OB
Graph the number of cases by date or time of onset of illness
Yields info on the magnitude, time trend, and outliers
-Shape of the curve may provide clues about the pattern of spread in the pop

Question 3

Definition of outbreak management/control

Answer 3

The process of anticipating, preventing, preparing for, detecting, responding, and controlling outbreaks in order to minimize the health and economic impacts

Question 4

How soon should control and/or prevention measures for OBs be implemented?

Answer 4

As early as possible

Question 5

What should control and/or prevention measures be aimed at?

Answer 5

Interrupting transmission or exposure

Question 6

What are control methods for OBs?

Answer 6

Isolation
Quarantine
Contact tracing
Environmental
Reduce susceptibility
Education
Policy/regulations

Question 7

Definition of screening

Answer 7

The application of a medical procedure or tests to ppl who as yet have no sx of a particular dz (early detection and intervention)

Question 8

Reasons for screening

Answer 8

To classify asymptomatic ppl as likely or unlikely to have dz (not a definitive dx)
To reduce morbidity and mortality attributable to that dz (secondary prevention)
To prevent transmission of an infectious dz (primary prevention)

Question 9

What steps in the natural hx of dz are primary prevention?

Answer 9

Dz free

Question 10

What steps in the natural hx of dz are secondary prevention?

Answer 10

Pathological onset

Question 11

What steps in the natural hx of dz are tertiary prevention?

Answer 11

Remission
Relapse
Death

Question 12

What steps in the natural hx of dz are the preclinical stage?

Answer 12

Pathological onset
Clinical sx

Question 13

What steps in the natural hx of dz are the clinical stage?

Answer 13

Clinical sx
Remission
Relapse
Death

Question 14

Definition of primary prevention

Answer 14

Actions to maintain health through individual or community efforts so that the dz process never starts (prevent dz from ever occurring)

Question 15

Exs of primary prevention

Answer 15

Vaccinations
Promoting healthy lifestyles (diet, exercise, sunscreen use, not smoking, etc)
Promoting safe environments
Gov’t policies (ex: taxes, bans, warning labels)

Question 16

Definition of secondary prevention?

Answer 16

Actions to delay the onset of the symptomatic or clinical phase of the dz

Question 17

What is the purpose of secondary prevention?

Answer 17

Delay onset of clinical dz
Reduce the severity of clinical dz
Reduce sequelae
Improve survival or quality of life

Question 18

What is the assumption of secondary prevention?

Answer 18

Early detection will lead to prompt and effective interventions that in turn decreases adverse effects and increases survival

Question 19

Exs of secondary prevention

Answer 19

Screening for CAs
Screening for infections such as HIV and hepatitis

Question 20

Definition of tertiary prevention

Answer 20

Actions to slow or block the progression of dz, thereby reducing impairments and disabilities, and improving the quality of life and survival among dz-ed individuals

Question 21

What may tertiary prevention include?

Answer 21

Prompt tx or management
Proper f/u
Surgical procedures
Pt education
Rehabilitation

Question 22

Exs of tertiary prevention

Answer 22

DM management
HIV

Question 23

How does secondary prevention work?

Answer 23

Sort out apparently well persons who probably have a dz from those who probably do not
Ppl who appear likely to have the dz are evaluated further to distinguish actual dz

Question 24

Suitable dzs for screening

Answer 24

Serious dz with severe consequences
Has a detectable preclinical phase that is prevalent and fairly long
Lead time results in more effective interventions

Question 25

Definition of detectable pre-clinical phase

Answer 25

Interval of time btwn the point at which the dz can be detected by screening and the point at which the individual becomes symptomatic and seeks medical attention