Lesson 1 (Part 1) Flashcards
Infection
The process of infecting
Infectious disease
Are disorders caused by organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites
Hospital acquired infection (HAI)
Is an infection that is acquired in a hospital or other health care facility
Pathogen
A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease
Host
An animal or plant in which a parasite or commensal organism lives
Microbe
A microorganism, especially a bacterium causing disease or fermentation
Pandemic
Prevalent of a disease over a whole country or the world
Epidemic
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time
What are 4 examples of infectious microorganisms?
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Fungi
- Parasites
Bacteria
Are single celled organisms that are located everywhere that are necessary for our bodies and dont tend to cause a lot of problems for us
What type of environment do bacteria live in?
A narrow type
- needs to be certain range of sun, heat, moisture
- if taken out for long periods of time they will die
What do viruses need to survive?
A host
- cant function on their own
What do viruses use?
RNA
- no DNA
- too small
Where do fungi grow? (2)
- In dark places
2. Moist places
What is an example of fungi?
- Ringworm (the worst)
- Athletes foot
- Mushrooms
What do fungi produce? What do they cause?
- Spores
- Infractions
- cant seem them so they are harder to kill and last a long time
What do parasites need?
A host to feed off of
How are parasites passed on?
By eggs
Where do parasites commonly live?
In our intestines
What are 2 examples of parasites?
- Malaria
2. Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis
A disease where cats are the carriers and if pregnant women are exposed they could potentially cause a miscarriage
Dysentery
Infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhea with the presence of blood and mucus in the feces
- results in releasing more eggs
DNA
Is the carrier of our genetic information and is the main part of chromosomes
What is RNA used for?
Controlling the synthesis of proteins from DNA on as needed basis
What does RNA sometimes do?
Is a molecule which sometimes stores the genetic blueprint in primitive organisms
- eg. viruses
Are all viruses harmful?
No
How do microorganisms affect us?
There are harmful strains of bacteria on/inside the body
What is not effective for viruses?
Antibiotics
What are vaccines used for?
To help control many viruses
What are 2 examples of viruses?
- Small pox
2. Herpes
How can bacterial infection be treated?
With antibiotics
Can people be carriers of infection?
Yes
How is fungi treated?
With antibiotics
- but it takes a long time
Vaccines
A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared from the causative agent of a disease
What happens when a pregnant women is exposed to Zika?
The fetus is affected and the result is a small head
- microcephaly
