Module 3: Infectious Diseases & Sexually Transmitted Infections Flashcards
How does an infectious disease take place? Explain what the latent period is.
- occurs when a microorganism invades a host; typically accompanied by damage to cells
- latent period: time between infection and the development of symptoms and signs
Define a pathogen and list the different types (5)
- agents of infection bacteria viruses fungi protozoa parasitic worms (helminths)
Explain the following pathogen and the treatment plan: bacteria
- harmful bacteria release enzymes or toxins in the host
- infections can be local or systemic (within the bloodstream)
- killed by antibiotics;
Explain the following pathogen and the treatment plan: viruses
- what
- how it affects host cells
- treatment
- acellular pathogens (non living); cannot survive without a host
- kill host cells or alter its function
- antiviral drugs reduce the severity or duration of viral infections
Explain the following pathogen and the treatment plan: fungi
- examples
- how it affects host
- treatment
- yeasts, molds, mushrooms
- absorb nutrients from host, causing damage and releasing enzymes
- hard to develop drugs that target fungal infections because cells are similar to ours
Explain the following pathogen and the treatment plan: protozoa
- what
- how it hurts cells
- why is it hard to treat
- single celled organisms
- release enzymes or toxins that destroy cells
- also have similar cells to us
parasitic worms (helminths)
- how it hurts host
- how it enters
- attack tissues or organs and compete with host for nutrients
- some enter by burrowing through skin, others via undercooked pork or fish
Explain some ways infections spread (4)
- people: indirect/direct contact
- food: E. Coli, salmonella
- water: contaminated water contains pathogens
- animals and insects: AKA vector transmission; mosquitos (zika, malaria); rats/ fleas (plague)
What do the trillions of bacteria in our digestive tract do? (2)
- aid in digestion and vitamin absorption
- compete with and exclude harmful microbes
Explain the first line of defence against diseases (7)
- skin
- cilia (hairlike projections found on cells; common in upper respiratory tract)
- mucus (works with cilia to trap and sweep potential pathogens up and out of your respiratory tract)
- elevated body temperature
- cough, tears, saliva
Explain the second line of defence against diseases
- immune response
- immune cells detect antigens (particular sugars and proteins) on pathogen’s surface and signal to specialized cells (macrophages, T cells, B cells) to launch an immune response to eliminate the pathogen
Describe macrophages
Surround and digest foreign matter; Aid immunity by engulfing antibody-bound pathogens
Describe T-cells
Fight parasites, fungi, cancer cells, infected cells; Thousands of T- cells work together to kill pathogens
Describe antibodies
- what
- what they do and the name for that
- made by what
- proteins that stick to specific antigens on pathogens
- humoral response: coat pathogens and make them clump together for easy disposal by macrophage
- made by B cells
List the chains of infection (6)
- pathogen
- reservoir
- portal of exit
- means of transmission
- portal of entry
- new host
Explain some ways to break this chain link of infection: pathogen (3)
- pasteurize milk
- chlorinate water
- disinfectants
Explain some ways to break this chain link of infection: reservoir (3)
- medical treatment and testing
- insect and rodent eradication
- quarantine
Explain some ways to break this chain link of infection: portal of exit (3)
- condoms
- masks
- covering mouth while coughing
Explain some ways to break this chain link of infection: means of transmission (3)
- avoiding infected individuals
- sexual abstinence or safer sex
- sanitary practices (like handwashing)
Explain some ways to break this chain link of infection:: portal of entry (3)
- condoms
- masks
- insect repellent
Explain some ways to break this chain link of infection: new host (3)
- immunization
- health promotion
- medical treatment
Explain vaccinations
A small quantity of inactive pathogen is injected in a person to create memory cells (T and B cells). When you encounter the actual pathogen your immune system can fight it off with antibodies. Effectively eliminates pathogens before signs/ symptoms are experienced
Explain the following infectious disease: common cold
- virus or bacterial or ?
- spread
- prevention
- cure
- virus
- spread: coughs, sneezes, direct and indirect contact
- prevention: hand-washing
- cure: immune system (rest, time, fluids, mild exercise, proper nutrition)
Explain the following infectious disease: influenza/flu
- virus or bacterial or ?
- symptoms
- prevention
- virus
- symptoms: aches, chills, dry cough, weakness
- prevention: annual flu shot and antiviral drugs
Explain the following infectious disease: hepatitis
- virus or bacterial or ?
- what
- symptoms
- spread
- prevention
- cure
- virus
- inflamed liver
- symptoms high fever, headaches, fatigue, aching joints, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice
- spread:
A/E: transmitted by contaminated water
B/C/D transmitted through sexual contact - prevention/cure: vaccine but some are chronic
Explain the following infectious disease: meningitis
- virus or bacterial or ?
- what
- symptoms
- spread
- prevention
- cure
- bacterial, viral or fungal (rare)
- infection of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain
- symptoms: fever, drowsiness, confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting
- spread: people (direct/indirect contact)
- prevention: viral meningitis clears up on its own; bacterial needs antibiotics immediately
Explain the following infectious disease: vaginal infections
- list 3 types and for each
- symptoms
- virus or bacterial or ?
Trichomoniasis (protozoan): Itching, burning, discharge Candidiasis (yeast infection; fungi): Itching, burning, discharge Bacterial vaginosis (bacteria): White/grey discharge, strong odor
Explain the following infectious disease: penile infections
- list 3 types and for each
- symptoms
- virus or bacterial or ?
- candidiasis (fungal), epididymitis, orchitis (bacterial or viral)
- Redness, irritation, pain during urination or intercourse, discharge
Explain the following infectious disease: urinary tract infections
- cause
- symptoms
- severity levels
- who is more likely to get a UTI?
- cause: bacteria
- Symptoms: burning sensation while urinating, chills, fever, fatigue, blood in urine
- urethra infections: easier to treat
- bladder/ kidney infections: more serious
- UTIs more common in females due to females having a shorter urethra
What are some ways to support your immune system?
- Wash your hands often with hot water and soap
- Get adequate sleep and exercise
- Eat a balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, quality protein)
- Don’t share food or drinks
- Avoid rubbing your eyes and touching your mouth
- Don’t bite your nails
- Don’t smoke; limit alcohol intake
- Avoid contact with those having a communicable disease
- Limit number of intimate/sexual partners
- If you are sexually active, always practice safe sex
What are antibiotics used for?
- antibiotics kill bacteria (not viruses or fungi)
How can we prevent antibiotic resistance?
- Let your immune system do its job!
- If you are prescribed antibiotics, be sure to finish the entire regimen, even if you are feeling better (this ensures all targeted bacteria are killed off)
- Don’t use leftover antibiotics
- Don’t share antibiotics
- Avoid antibiotic soaps and cleansers
HPV
- increases risk for _____
- symptoms
- spread how
- prevention
- how does it go away
- increases risk of cervical cancers; especially if infection is persistent
- symptoms common warts, genital warts, genital cancers
- Spread by sexual contact, including oral sex
- Prevention: Guardasil® vaccination is available to males and females
- most HPV infections go away by themselves
HSV
- difference between HSV1 and HSV2
- symptoms
- means of transmission
- when are carriers most contagious
- how can outbreaks be triggered
- prevention
- treatment
- HSV1: mouth
- HSV2: genitals
- symptoms: Small, painful, leaking red blisters
- Commonly transmitted through oral sex; Travels along nerves and lays dormant in nerve cells; infection is life-long
- Carriers are most contagious when carrier is shedding the virus (usually when sores are visible)
- outbreaks can be triggered by stress, illness, fatigue, sun exposure, intercourse and menstruation
- prevention: condom use
- treatment: Antivirals like acyclovir can lesson symptoms; there is no cure
HIV
- what
- transmission
- severity
- What does HIV testing measure?
- treatment
- virus that attacks immune cells (T-cells)
- transmission: blood to blood contact; or fluid to blood contact
- severely compromises immune system; can lead to death from opportunistic infections
- HIV testing measures antibodies
- treatment: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART); Combination of (usually) 3 different drugs that target various stages of the HIV viral life cycle
Other factors may increase the risk of developing cancer following HPV infection
Smoking
Having a weakened immune system
Having many children (for increased risk of cervical cancer)
Long-term oral contraceptive use (for increased risk of cervical cancer)
Poor oral hygiene (for increased risk of oropharyngeal cancer)
Chronic inflammation
Why is HIV hard for the immune system to beat (3)
- HIV “hides” inside immune cells (and slowly kills them)
- HIV replicates too fast for the immune system to fight it
- HIV mutates (therefore changing its antigens) and avoids elimination
Why is the HIV rate of infection highest in those ages 20-24
- Feelings of invulnerability
- Multiple partners
- Infidelity
- Being unaware of partner’s history
- Failure to use protection
- Use of alcohol or drugs (increases likelihood of riskier behaviour)
- Lack of testing
What is the most common STI in North America?
HPV
chlamydia
- commonality
- bacterium
- women or men likely to get it?
- symptoms
- treatment
- what happens if left untreated
- prevention
- age group
- most common bacterial STI
- women are more likely to get it
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- symptoms: disrupted menstruation, pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, vagina discharge, burning while urination
- treatable by antibiotics
- can lead to ectopic pregnancy (fertilized egg grows outside of main cavity of the uterus) and sterility in females and males
- can be passed from mom to infant
- prevention: condom use
- age group: 15-29
gonorrhea
- men symptoms
- female symptoms
- bacterium
- treatment
- prevention
- spread by
- highest incidence
- why are we concerned?
- Males: cloudy penile discharge, burning while urinating, can cause inflammation of the urethra, prostate, epididymis
- Females: green/yellowish discharge; pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- treatment: antibiotics
- prevention: condoms
- spread: sex (anal, vaginal, oral)
- highest incidence (f15-24, M30-39); men and young people represent most of the cases
- concern because rates continue to rise
syphilis
- bacteria
- transmission
- primary stage
- secondary stage
- tertiary stage
- treatment
- Caused by Treponema pallidum
- Transmitted through a break in the skin, via kissing, oral, vaginal or anal sex
- Primary: ulcer (chancre) at site of infection (days to weeks after contact); not usually painful; contains high numbers of bacteria (highly contagious)
- Secondary: flu-like symptoms; rash over
the body, hands and feet; ~2 months later - Tertiary: Neurological and cardiovascular effects; blindness; years to decades later
- Treatment: antibiotics if early enough
