Microbiology Exam 2 Flashcards
Exogenous
An infection in which the causative agent comes from outside the body
Endogenous
An infection which is caused by microorganisms which are normally present within the body
Acute
an infection of sudden onset and short duration (meningococcemia)
Chronic
an infection of slow onset and long duration (Alzheimer’s)
Communicable
An infection capable of being transmitted, either directly or indirectly, from host to host. Contagious means highly communicable
Endemic
An infection that is constantly present to a greater or lesser degree in a community Ex: cold flu
Epidemic
An infection which attacks a large number of people in a community in a short period of time
Pandemic
Worldwide epidemic; an infection which becomes an epidemic in a number of countries at the same time ex: flu in 1919 killed 20 million
Sporadic
An infection which occurs only occasionally (now and then) in a community (Legionnaire’s disease; 4 corners region=Hantavirus)
Primary
the initial (first) infection of a mixed infection
Mixed
an infection due to two or more organisms ex: 2 or more infections occurring at the same time
Secondary
the second and generally more complicating infection in a mixed infection
Local
an infection in which the pathogenic organisms remain confined to a particular area (abscessed tooth)
Focal
an infection confined to a particular area, but from which the bacteria spread to other parts of the body
General
Infection throughout, spread generally over the body by the bloodstream or lymphatic system (septicemia/sepsis)
Bacteremia
a condition in which bacteria are in the bloodstream but are not multiplying there
Septicemia
Invasion of the bloodstream by pathogenic organisms with their subsequent multiplication therein. Common name is “blood poisoning” (sepsis)
Toxemia
the presence of toxins (poisonous substances) in the blood
Terminal
an infection which occurs during the course of a chronic disease and causes death
Contamination
The presence of infectious material, without a reaction necessarily being produced. This term can also refer to inanimate objects (fomite)
Infestation
The invasion of the body by macroscopic parasites; those able to be seen with the unaided eye (maggots)
Virulence
the ability of a microorganism to produce disease. Attenuation implies a weakening or reduction in the virulence of a microorganism
Zoonotic
Diseases caused by infectious agent that can be transmitted between (or are shared by) animals and humans (malaria; encephalitis)
Nosocomial
A hospital-acquired infection; one obtained while in the hospital (staph)