Microbial Infection Flashcards
Is a serious bacterial infection usually affecting the mucous membranes or nose and throat
Diphtheria
Typically causes a sore throat fever swollen glands and weakness
Diphteria
What is the hallmark sign of diphteria
Sheet of thick, gray material covering the back of throat
Incubation period of diphtheria
2 to 5 days (range 1 to 10 days)
What is the causative agent of diphtheria
Corynebacterium diphteria
What is the vaccination of diphtheria
Diphtheria toxoid combined with tetanus and pertussis vaccines (DTP)
Diphtheria spreads how
From person to person usually through the respiratory droplets. A person can also get the barrier by coming in contact with an object like a toy that has the bacteria that causes diphtheria on it
It is essential to confirm the diagnosis of diphtheria
Bacteriologic culturing
Where is this specimen obtain from the person
From the nose and throat (nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal swab)
When does designing symptoms usually begin with diphtheria
Usually begin 2 to 5 days after a person becomes infected
What are the symptoms of diphtheria
Sore throat and hoarseness
Swollen glands on neck
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
nasal discharge
malaise fever and chills
Second type of bacteria that can affect the skin causing the typical redness and swelling associated with other bacterial skin infections
Skin (cutaneous) diphtheria
What also may develop in cutaneous diphtheria
Ulcers covered by a gray membrane
C. diphteriae spreads via 3 routes
Airborne droplets
contaminated personal items contaminated household items
People who are at increased risk of contracting bacteria
Children and adults who don’t have up-to-date immunizations
People living in crowded or unsanitary conditions
Anyone who travels to an area where diphtheria is endemic
If left untreated diphteria can lead to
Breathing problems
heart damage
nerve damage
What are the treatment of diphtheria
Antitoxin and antibiotics
The ______ injected into a vein or muscle neutralizes the diphtheria toxin already circulating in the body
Antitoxin
Before giving an anti-toxin what should the doctor do
Doctors may perform skin allergy test to make sure that the infected person doesn’t have an allergy to the antitoxin. Doctors accomplish this by initially giving small doses of the antitoxin and then gradually increasing the dosage
What are the example of antibiotics that can treat diphtheria
Penicillin or erythromycin
It helps kill bacteria in the body clearing up infections
Antibiotics
Reduce to just a few days the length of time that a person with diphtheria is contagious
Antibiotics
Is a bacterial infection that can make your throat feel sore and scratchy
Strep throat (streptococcal sore throat)
Strep throat accounts for only what portion of sore throats?
Small
What is the causative agent of strep throat
Streptococcus pyogenes
Which are also called group A streptococcus or group A strep cause acute pharyngitis known as strep throat
Streptococcus pyogenes
What is the incubation period of group A strep pharyngitis
Approximately 2 to 5 days
Group A strip pharyngitis is most commonly spread through
Through direct person to person transmission. Typically the transmission occurs through saliva or nasal secretions from an infected person
Who are the primary reservoir for group A strep
Humans. There is no evidence to indicate that pets can transmit the bacteria to humans
What are the test that you should be done with strep throat
Rapid antigen test and throat culture
Rapid antigen test
This desk can detect the bacteria in minutes by looking for substances in the throat.
A sterile swab is rubbed over the back of the throat and tonsils to get a sample of the secretion. It is not painful but it may cause gagging
Throat culture
When does it take to get the throat culture sample results
It can take as long as 2 days
What are the signs and symptoms of strep throat
Throat pain that usually comes on quickly
painful swallowing
red and swollen tonsils
swollen lymph nodes
fever
headache
rash
nausea or vomiting
body aches
If untreated strep throat can cause complications such as
Kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever
It can lead to painful and inflamed joints a specific type of fresh or heart valve damage
Rheumatic fever
Step infection may lead to inflammatory illnesses including
Scarlet fever
inflammation of the kidney
rheumatic fever
post streptococcal
reactive arthritis
It is a steptococcal infection characterized by a prominent rash
Scarlet fever
What is the other name of inflammation of the kidney
Post streptococcal glomerulonephritis
A serious inflammatory condition that can affect the heart joints and nervous systems and skin
Rheumatic fever
A condition that causes inflammation of the joints
Post streptococcal reactive arthritis
What are the antibiotics to treat strep throat
Penicillin or amoxicillin (amoxil)
If anyibiotic is taken within ___ hours of the onset of the illness antibiotics reduce the duration and severity of symptoms as well as the ris
48
What are the top choices because they are safer inexpensive and they work well on strep bacteria
Penicillin or amoxicillin
