pathologies related to infectious diseases

Question 1

signs/symptoms of infectious disease

Answer 1

malaise
fever/sweat/chills
N&V
enlarged/tender lymph nodes
redness/abcess/heat/swelling
S&S specific to infected system as well

Question 2

why are older adults more susceptible to infectious diseases

Answer 2

decrease T cells = slower immune system

Question 3

extrinsic factors that lead to increased susceptibility in older adults

Answer 3

lack of productive cough/GAG reflex = difficult to control secretions

decreased lung elasticity and mucocilliary activity limit air and fluid movement

Question 4

what might a pathogen do

Answer 4

contaminate the body surface and be destroyed by first line defenses such as intact skin or mucous membranes that prevent further invasion

subclinical infection may occur in which no apparent symptoms are evident other than an identifiable immune response of the host

clinically apparent infection in which the host parasite interaction causes one or more clinical symptoms = infectious disease

Question 5

what is an incubation period

Answer 5

prior between the pathogen entering the host and the appearance of clinical symptoms

beginning of symptoms = end of incubation

Question 6

what is the period of communicability

Answer 6

a host may harbor a pathogen in sufficient quantities to be shed later and toward the end of the incubation period

this time period when an organism can be shed = period of communicability or the infectious period when one can become infected

Question 7

key markers of a virus

Answer 7

dependent on host

not susceptible to antibiotics

anti viral meds only limit virus and symptoms

Question 8

key markers of bacteria

Answer 8

live/grow independent of host
susceptible to antibiotics
can be classified in response to staining (i.e. gram neg or pos)

Question 9

key markers of rickettsiae

Answer 9

bacteria that requires a host
treated with antibiotics
primarily animal pathogens that produce disease in humans (i.e. Lyme disease)

Question 10

successful transmission depends on what

Answer 10

pathogenic agent - microorganism that can produce disease

a reservoir (environment for a pathogen like a human, animal, food, soil, etc)

a portal of exit from the reservoir- commonly secretions and fluids

Question 11

what are the modes of transmission

Answer 11

contact (either direct or indirect like an inanimate object)
airborne- float on air currents and remain suspended for hours
droplet-fluid larger than airborne particles
vehicle-through common source i.e. water supply
vector borne-insects/animals to person

Question 12

what might decrease a persons gut flora

Answer 12

compromised immune health
co-morbidities
SAD
antibiotics

Question 13

how is E.coli commonly spread

Answer 13

vehicle through indigestion of infected food
hand to mouth contact directly

Question 14

people most at risk for E.coli

Answer 14

organ transplant recipients
mechanically ventilated
urinary/vascular catheterized
traumatic injury

Question 15

markers of C.diff

Answer 15

typically GI tract
most common cause of persistent diarrhea
surpasses good bacteria
may lead to death

Question 16

incidence of C.diff

Answer 16

increasing in rate and severity

Question 17

etiology/transmission of C.Diff

Answer 17

commonly harmless bacteria
gains advantage in those with low gut bacteria
fecal oral route
may occur with disruption if intentional mucosa from chemo, GI dysfunction/surgery or feeding tube

Question 18

risk factors for C. diff

Answer 18

medicare aged (older than 65) white females

Question 19

MRSA characteristics

Answer 19

resistant to antibiotics
serious threat to public health
biofilm around itself for resistance

Question 20

characteristics of staph infections

Answer 20

one of the most common bacterias found on skin

spreads by direct contact or inhalation

greater risk with skin opening

can’t invade through intact skin of a healthy individual

Question 21

characteristics of strep infections

Answer 21

affects various systems
typically transmitted through respiratory droplets
most common cause of cellulitis

Question 22

what is cellulitis

Answer 22

acute skin inflammation from an opening

possible streaks

Question 23

most common type of strep

Answer 23

group A strep

one of the most common bacterias

Question 24

streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumonia characteristics

Answer 24

transmitted by respiratory droplets
mostly affects very young and very old
often follows other respiratory infections like flu
most common cause of meningitis
vaccines significantly reduce morbidity/mortality
respiratory infection signs and symptoms

Question 25

what is clostridial myonecrosis or gas gangrene

Answer 25

severe life threatening infection that targets muscle
typically postoperatively or post traumatic involving muscle

Question 26

pathogenesis of gas gangrene

Answer 26

causes occlusion and thrombosis of blood vessels

may suppress myocardial activity and lead to hypotension and shock

Question 27

signs/symptoms of gas gangrene

Answer 27

sudden/severe pain due to ischemia at the wound site

thick, foul discharge with crepitation and gas bubbles

vascular and infection signs and symptoms

Question 28

risk factors for COVID

Answer 28

over 65 y.o.
CVD
HTN
immunosupression
cancer
diabetes
obesity

Question 29

incidence of Lyme disease

Answer 29

most prevalent vector borne infectious disease

most cases in North East, North Central and mid Atlantic regions

common in outdoor activities

Question 30

pathogenesis of Lyme disease

Answer 30

neck requires 36 hours of feeding to inject bacteria into bloodstream

no natural immunity develops so reinfection can occur

Question 31

stage 1 symptoms Lyme disease

Answer 31

flu like

infection signs and symptoms

red, slowly expanding bulls eye rash

Question 32

stage 2 Lyme disease markers

Answer 32

multiple bulls eyes
most common neurological symptoms from aseptic meningitis (i.e. headache, stiff neck, impaired mentation, and cranial neuropathies like bells palsy)
possible cardiopulmonary involvement and S&S

Question 33

stage 3 Lyme disease signs

Answer 33

months to years

persistent arthralgia at one or multiple joints, especially larger ones (Most widely recognized result of untreated)

rarely could develop late stage neurological disease of axonal polyneuropathy with mental impairments