UNIT 6 Objectives pt. 2 Flashcards
Define Host
An organism that supports the life cycle of a pathogen, providing nutrients and shelter
Define Infection
The invasion and multiplication of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) in a host, potentially leading to disease.
Define Contamination
The presence of harmful microorganisms on surfaces, food, water, or the body.
Define Epidemiology
The study of how diseases spread, their causes, and their effects in populations.
Define Etiology
The study of the cause or origin of a disease
Define Index case
The first patient identified in an epidemiological study of an outbreak or disease
Define Parasite
An organism that lives on or inside a host and benefits at the host’s expense
Define Pathogen
Any microorganism or agent that causes disease
Define Opportunistic Pathogen
A microorganism that causes disease in a host with a weakened immune system or when the normal flora is disturbed
Define Pathogenicity
The ability of an organism to cause disease in a host
Define Virulence
The degree of harmfulness or severity of disease caused by a pathogen
Define Infectious
Diseases caused by microorganisms that can be transmitted from person to person
Define Non-infectious
Diseases not caused by microorganisms (e.g., genetic, environmental)
Define Communicable
A disease that can be spread from one individual to another
Define Non-communicable
A disease that is not transmitted from person to person
Define Contagious
A highly communicable disease, spread easily from person to person
Define Symptoms
Subjective evidence of disease reported by the patient (e.g., pain, fatigue)
Define Signs
Objective evidence of disease observable by others (e.g., rash, fever)
Define Syndrome
A collection of symptoms and signs that together characterize a particular disease or condition
Define Subclinical
A disease or infection that does not show noticeable symptoms
Define Asymptomatic
A condition in which a person carries a pathogen but shows no symptoms of disease
Define Primary
The initial stage or infection, the first appearance of disease
Define Secondary (disease)
An infection or disease that occurs as a result of an existing condition or disease
Define Nosocomial
Infections acquired in a healthcare setting (hospital, clinic)
Define Zoonosis
A disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans
Define Acute
A disease with a rapid onset and short duration
Define Chronic
A disease that persists for a long period, often with gradual onset
Define Subacute
A disease that is intermediate between acute and chronic
Define Latent
A disease that is dormant or inactive but can become active later