pathologies related to infectious diseases Flashcards
signs/symptoms of infectious disease
malaise
fever/sweat/chills
N&V
enlarged/tender lymph nodes
redness/abcess/heat/swelling
S&S specific to infected system as well
why are older adults more susceptible to infectious diseases
decrease T cells = slower immune system
extrinsic factors that lead to increased susceptibility in older adults
lack of productive cough/GAG reflex = difficult to control secretions
decreased lung elasticity and mucocilliary activity limit air and fluid movement
what might a pathogen do
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
what is an incubation period
prior between the pathogen entering the host and the appearance of clinical symptoms
beginning of symptoms = end of incubation
what is the period of communicability
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
key markers of a virus
dependent on host
not susceptible to antibiotics
anti viral meds only limit virus and symptoms
key markers of bacteria
live/grow independent of host
susceptible to antibiotics
can be classified in response to staining (i.e. gram neg or pos)
key markers of rickettsiae
bacteria that requires a host
treated with antibiotics
primarily animal pathogens that produce disease in humans (i.e. Lyme disease)
successful transmission depends on what
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
what are the modes of transmission
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
what might decrease a persons gut flora
compromised immune health
co-morbidities
SAD
antibiotics
how is E.coli commonly spread
vehicle through indigestion of infected food
hand to mouth contact directly
people most at risk for E.coli
organ transplant recipients
mechanically ventilated
urinary/vascular catheterized
traumatic injury
markers of C.diff
typically GI tract
most common cause of persistent diarrhea
surpasses good bacteria
may lead to death
incidence of C.diff
increasing in rate and severity
etiology/transmission of C.Diff
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
risk factors for C. diff
medicare aged (older than 65) white females
MRSA characteristics
resistant to antibiotics
serious threat to public health
biofilm around itself for resistance
characteristics of staph infections
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
characteristics of strep infections
affects various systems
typically transmitted through respiratory droplets
most common cause of cellulitis
what is cellulitis
acute skin inflammation from an opening
possible streaks
most common type of strep
group A strep
one of the most common bacterias
streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumonia characteristics
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
what is clostridial myonecrosis or gas gangrene
severe life threatening infection that targets muscle
typically postoperatively or post traumatic involving muscle
pathogenesis of gas gangrene
causes occlusion and thrombosis of blood vessels
may suppress myocardial activity and lead to hypotension and shock
signs/symptoms of gas gangrene
sudden/severe pain due to ischemia at the wound site
thick, foul discharge with crepitation and gas bubbles
vascular and infection signs and symptoms
risk factors for COVID
over 65 y.o.
CVD
HTN
immunosupression
cancer
diabetes
obesity
incidence of Lyme disease
most prevalent vector borne infectious disease
most cases in North East, North Central and mid Atlantic regions
common in outdoor activities
pathogenesis of Lyme disease
neck requires 36 hours of feeding to inject bacteria into bloodstream
no natural immunity develops so reinfection can occur
stage 1 symptoms Lyme disease
flu like
infection signs and symptoms
red, slowly expanding bulls eye rash
stage 2 Lyme disease markers
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
stage 3 Lyme disease signs
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
