Unit 2: Communicable Disease Flashcards
An acute, febrile respiratory infection that may exhibit systemic manifestations
influenza
The influenza virus has which two identifying surface antigens (protein substances on the virus)
Hemagglutinins (H)
Neuraminidase (N)
What are minor changes to an influenza virus commonly called?
Antigenic DRIFT
What are major changes to an influenza virus commonly called?
Antigenic SHIFT
Which of the two changes to influenza often results in
epidemics?
Antigenic SHIFT
What is the average influenza incubation period?
1-3 days
Which project did the Air Force institute in response to influenza?
Project Gargle
What is the purpose of the Influenza Surveillance Program?
Identify new strains of influenza virus
A communicable disease affecting the lungs and in some cases, other parts of the body
tuberculosis
What is the causative pulmonary tuberculosis organism?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. TB)
How is tuberculosis spread or transmitted?
inhalation of droplet nuclei containing live M. TB
The probability that TB will be transmitted depends on what three
factors?
- The infectiousness of the person with TB.
- The environment in which exposure occurred.
- The duration of exposure.
What is the incubation period for TB?
About 4-12 weeks
Name the three stages of tuberculosis.
Infection
Dormant
Active
What occurs during the dormant phase of tuberculosis?
bacilli encapsulate and remain in the alveoli of the lung until conditions favor further growth and progression to the active stage
What conditions favor further growth during the dormant stage?
Diabetes
Alcoholism
Silicosis
Immunosuppression due to cancer therapy
AIDS
What are the symptoms of active tuberculosis?
Fatigue
Weight loss
Fever, chills, night sweats
Loss of appetite
Persistent cough
What test is used to screen Air Force personnel for tuberculosis?
tuberculin skin test (TST)
Which test is used
(1) to identify infected persons at high risk of developing TB disease who would benefit from preventive therapy
(2) to identify persons with TB disease who need treatment
TSTs
The Air Force uses which test test to confirm tuberculosis infection. It is the most effective and accurate test procedure available, and it is the standard.
Mantoux test
When do positive reactions to the Mantoux test occur?
within 48 to 72 hours after injection
What does the acronym BCG stand for and what is it?
Bacille Calmette-Guerin
The first live vaccine against tuberculosis
What is the purpose of a BCG vaccination?
Prevent the recipient from experiencing a natural, primary
infection by artificially inducing a harmless primary infection
What is the effect of a BCG vaccination on TSTs?
Positive TST after the vaccination
What medication is used to prevent active tuberculosis?
isoniazid (INH)
What is the most serious side effect of INH?
drug-induced hepatitis
What are two of Public Health’s primary responsibilities for managing the Tuberculosis Detection and Control Program?
(1) monitor the administration of the program
(2) educate personnel about the disease
What are the three different stages of syphilis?
Primary
Secondary
Late
Which stage of syphilis is characterized by lesions, known as chancres, which also characterizes the acute form?
Primary stage
Which stage of syphilis has characteristic skin rashes and mucous
membrane eruptions, as well as long periods of latency, without symptoms?
Secondary stage
Which stage of syphilis may be present as a chronic disease involving the central nervous system and the cardiovascular
system?
Late stage
Is it possible for a woman to pass syphilis to her unborn baby?
Yes
What is the causative agent for syphilis?
Spirochete, Treponema pallidum
How is syphilis transmitted?
Close sexual contact with a person who has an infectious lesion or
chancre
What is the average incubation time for syphilis?
10 to 90 days, with an average of 21 days
Syphilis is not detectable by laboratory testing until what stage?
Primary stage
What are the three methods of identifying syphilis?
dark field microscopy
serological testing
cerebrospinal fluid examination
What is the most effective method used to identify syphilis in the primary stage?
Dark field microscopy
Which antibody results from the interaction of the
organism with the body tissue?
Reagin
Which antibody does nontreponemal test measure?
Reagin
Which antibody does treponemal tests measure?
Antibodies to the organism itself
What is one of the most effective nontreponemal serological tests?
Venereal Disease Research Laboratories (VDRL)
Which serological tests is more specific, more useful in confirming a diagnosis of syphilis, and in identifying individuals with false positive nontreponemal tests?
Treponemal tests
What does FTA-ABS stand for and how is it used?
fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption
used to confirm infection with T. palladium
If syphilis is suspected of attacking the central nervous system (CNS), a cerebrospinal fluid examination includes what three parts?
a VDRL
a cell count
a totalprotein
What are PH responbilities when it comes to syphilis?
conduct patient and contact interviews
conduct follow up
educate patients and contacts
A lesion that forms at the site where the spirochete entered the body
First clinical sign of syphilis
What occurs during the early latent stage of syphilis?
