Topic 8 - Communicable Diseases Flashcards
What are painkillers
Are chemicals that relieve the symptoms but to not kill the pathogens
Examples of painkiller
Paracetamol
Aspirin
What are antibiotics
Substances that slow down or stop the growth of bacteria
What type of disease does antibiotics only work for
Bacterial
Example of antibiotic
Penicillin
Why is it hard to develop drugs that kill viruses
Because it can also damage tissue
Why shouldn’t you prescribe antibiotics to anyone
Because the bacteria can develop resistant against the drug
When was penicillin discovered and who by
1928 by Alexander Fleming
How did Alexander Fleming discover penicillin
He noticed that some bacteria he had left in a Petri dish had been killed by the naturally occurring penicillin mould
Where does aspirin come from
Willow trees
Where does digitalis come from
This heart drug originates from foxgloves
What happen during preclinical testing
Start by testing on computer models, skin cells grown using human stem cells in a laboratory if it is safe then they start testing on animals
What happens during human clinical trials
If it is safe after being tested on animals then they test on healthy volunteers they start at a low dosage and if the drug is found to be safe they do further trials for finding best dosage
In double blind trails some patients receive a placebo drug
What is a placebo drug
A fake drug that look exactly like the real one to be able to see symptoms
What are pathogens
Microorganisms that cause infectious disease they may be viral, bacterial, protist or fungi
What are the 4 pathogens
Viral
Bacterial
Fungi
Protists
What disease may reproduce rapidly inside body
Viruses and bacterial
What does a bacterial disease do to your body
Produce toxins or poisons that damage tissue and make us feel I’ll
What do viruses to do your body
Live and reproduce cells causing cell damage
What is an example of a fungal disease
Rose black spot
What is rose black spot
Purple or black spots develop on leaves which often turn yellow and drop early
What are the affects of rose black spot
Affects growth of plant as photosynthesis is reduced
How is rose black spot spread
Water or wind
How is rose black spot treated
By using fungicides or removing and destroying the affected
What is an example of a protist disease
Malaria
What is malaria
Is a disease that is passed by blood by mosquitos
What are the effects of malaria
Cause recurrent episodes of fever and can be fatal
What is a vector
A living organism that transmits an infectious agent from an infected animal to a human or another animal
How is malaria treated
Drugs
What are the three examples of viral diseases
Measles
HIV
tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)
What are the symptoms and effect of the measles
The symptoms are a fever and a red skin rash
Serious illness that can be fatal if complications arise
How is the measles spread
By inhalation of droplets from sneezes and coughs
How are the measles treated
Vaccines to prevent it
HIV symptoms and affects
Flu like illness
Late stages of it occurs when the bodies immune system becomes so badly damaged it can no longer deal with other infections or cancers
How is HIV spread
By unprotected sexual contact or exchange of body fluids such as blood which occurs when using a shred needle
How is HIV controlled
With antiretroviral drugs otherwise it attacks bodies immune system
What is tobacco mosaic virus
A widespread plant pathogen affecting many species of plants
How to identify tmv
Distinctive mosaic pattern of discolouration on the leaves which affects the growth
How to prevent tmv from spreading
Removes affected and burn them
What are the 2 examples of bacterial disease
Salmonella
Gonorrhoea
How is salmonella spread
Food poisoning is spread by bacteria ingested food or food prepared in unhygienic conditions
How to prevent salmonella
Vaccinations
What are the symptoms of salmonella
Cramps,Vomiting ,diarrhoea as bacteria create toxins they secrete
What is gonorrhoea
A sexually transmitted disease
What are the symptoms of gonorrhoea
Thick yellow or green discharge and pain when urinating
What causes gonorrhoea
Caused by bacterium
How is gonorrhoea spread
By sexual contact
How is gonorrhoea controlled
Antibiotics or the use of a barrier method of contraception
What is a vaccination and how does it work
It involves introducing small quantities of dead or inactive forms of pathogen into the body to stimulate the white blood cells to produce antibodies
If the same pathogen renters the body the white bloods cells respond quickly to produce the correct antibodies as they already recognise it preventing infections
What is heard immunity
If a large population has gotten a vaccine then it is less likely for anyone to get the illness
What are the 5 things that help defend the body from diseases and infections
Skin
Nose
Trachea and bronchi
Stomach
White blood cells
How does the skin help defend the body
Covers the body and acts as a barrier
If wounded it immediately begins to heal
How does the nose help defend the body
Has internal hairs which acts as a physical barrier to infections
Cells in nose produce mucus which traps pathogens before they enter lungs
How to the trachea and bronchi help defend the body
Have fine hairs that line it called cilia
Move mucus and pathogens upwards towards the throat where it is then swallowed into stomach
How does the stomach help defend the body
The hydrochloric acid is strong enough to kill any pathogens that have been caught in the mucus
How to white blood cells help defend the body
Is contains phagocytes, antibodies and antitoxins
