T4: Infectious diseases/ Immunizations Flashcards
This is the time when a disease has the ability to be passed from one person to another:
Communicability.
This is the time from contact with a pathogen until symptoms appear:
Incubation.
This is a foreign agent that produces a response within our bodies:
Antigen.
In immunology, an antigen is a molecule capable of inducing an immune response on the part of the host organism, though sometimes antigens can be part of the host itself. In other words, an antigen is any substance that causes an immune system to produce antibodies against it.
This is a molecule that is evoked by an antigen and then reacts with that antigen:
Antibody.
An antibody (Ab), also known as an immunoglobulin (Ig), is a large, Y-shaped protein produced mainly by plasma cells that is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique molecule of the harmful agent, called an antigen, via the variable region.
This type of immunity is achieved through the transfer of antibodies, only lasting a few weeks up to a few months:
Passive Immunity
Ex: Mom to fetus.
Inoculation with antiserum.
What do we use to treat children’s fever, malaise?
We AVOID aspirin (ASA).
Use acetaminophen, maybe NSAIDs
What do we use on children for itching?
Cool compresses.
Keep child cool.
Pressure instead of scratching.
Mittens
Keep nails short and clean
Calamine or Benadryl or Atarax may be ordered.
When should we AVOID cold/cough medicine for children?
When they are under 4 years old.
When a child presents with an infectious disease, what sort of precautions are taken at the hospital?
They are placed in isolation.
When at home: keep away from others.
This disease is from the herpes virus and is also known as “6th Disease”:
Roseola.
S and S:
- Maybe URI then…
- Abrupt fever (104-105) then…
- Fever drops and…
- Pruritic rash appears on TRUNK to face and extremities) within a day or so
Tx:
Symptomatic (it’s a virus).
This viral disease is the most benign of childhood illness but devastating to a fetus, also known as the “German measles”:
Rubella.
S and S:
- Lymphadenopathy
- then Low fever
- URI symptoms
- Mildly pruritic rash starting on the FACE to trunk and extremities.
Tx: It’s a virus. Symptomatic.
KEEP AWAY FROM PREGNANT WOMEN
This type of measles gets placed in airborne isolation:
Rubeola.
S and S:
- Fever
- URI with 3 C’s: Cough, Coryza (runny nose), Conjunctivitis (inflamed, pink, eye) for 3 days.
- then, Koplik spots (grayish white spots with a slight red areola, usually on buccal mucosa opposite the lower molars or on the pharynx, fleeting - they are gone in 12-18 hours)
- then RED RASH 3-4 days after fever and turns brown.
Tx:
- Vitamin A greatly reduces length and severity of disease.
- Bedrest
- Dim lights (may be sensitive bc of their conjunctivitis)
- Symptomatic
- Airborne isolation: negative pressure room.
Which viral disease presents with a high fever followed by a rash?
Roseola or 6th Disease.
Which viral disease presents with the 3 C’s and Koplik spots?
Rubeola measles.
3 C’s:
Cough
Coryza
Conjunctivitis
Which viral disease presents with a rash that starts on the face and should be isolated from pregnant women?
Rubella.
Benign to children, devastating to a fetus.
This viral disease is communicable usually right before and after swelling begins:
Mumps
S and S: Fever HA Earache worse with chewing Parotitis (maybe with swelling) Parotitis is an inflammation of one or both parotid glands, the major salivary glands located on either side of the face, in humans. The parotid gland is the salivary gland most commonly affected by inflammation.
Tx:
- Stretch bathing suit for boys with orchitis (inflammation of one/both testicle(s). Rarely causes sterility.
- Hot/cold packs to face
- Symptomatic
- Bedrest
- IV fluids if necessary
Why is a second vaccination recommended for Mumps?
After the outbreak in 2005, affecting 56,000 people in UK and US, and affecting some previously vaccinated, a second booster is now recommended.
This is caused by the varicella zoster virus and is communicable 1 day before rash until all lesions are crusted:
Varicella: Chicken pox
Lesions are crusted; direct, indirect, airborne
S and S:
- Slight fever
- Pruritic vesicular rash IN CROPS: mostly on trunk but can be everywhere including the mucous membranes.
This viral illness is placed on airborne and contact isolation:
How do we treat?
Varicella.
Tx:
– Zovirax (Acyclovir): Antiviral drug, can treat herpes virus infections, including shingles and genital herpes. It can also treat chickenpox. This medication does not cure herpes, but may prevent herpes sores or blisters.
This disease is caused by the parvovirus B-19:
Fifth Disease…
S and S:
- low fever, rash has “slapped face” appearance and may spread to extremities.
- Rash has lacey appearance that worsens with heat.
Tx:
Symptomatic
NOT around pregnant women!
Prior to the vaccine, cities were shut down and iron lungs were utilized…
Polio
Nearly eradicated with the oral polio vaccine (OPV) that was developed in 1954.
OPV caused 1 case/2.4 million but we only use the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) now.
What is the communicability of Polio?
What is the incubation period for Polio?
Unknown.
1 week to more than a month.
How is Polio transmitted?
Direct oral-fecal and oral route.
Virus can stay active in bowel and feces for 6 weeks.
Varies in severity from very mild URI to paralysis/death.
S and S and Tx of Polio:
S and S: Fever Sore throat HA Stiffness Paralysis
Tx: Supportive Bedrest ROM PT Sedatives Hot packs Skin care Ventilate as needed
What causes Scarlet Fever?
Group A beta hemolytic strep (which also causes meningitis, Rheumatic fever, AGN and OCDs)
S and S:
- Abrupt high fever
- Vomiting
- Sore throat
- HA
- Enlarged tonsils covered with exudate
- Strawberry tongue (white to red)
- Sandpaper rash mostly in groin, axilla, neck and NOT on face.
