Week 2 - An Infection Model Flashcards
What are the risk factors to consider relating to infection?
Age Gender Physiological state Pathological state Social factors Calendar time Relative time Place
How might age increase susceptibility to infection?
Elderly and young most at risk
Babies under 3 months old haven’t developed their immune system yet but no longer have the support of their mothers so they are particularly at risk
How might gender affect susceptibility to infection?
Women are more prone to UTIs
How might physiological state affect susceptibility to infection?
Pregnant women have a suppressed immune system
How might pathological state affect susceptibility to infection?
Diseases such as diabetes increase risk of infection
How might social factors affect susceptibility to infection?
Toddlers in nursery more prone as close contact and poor hygiene
How might calendar time affect susceptibility to infection?
Different infections are around more at different time of the year e.g. Flu
How might relative time affect susceptibility to infection?
Outbreaks of different infections
How might place affect susceptibility to infection?
Different infections are common in different places
How do infections spread?
Contiguous (direct) Inoculation Hematogenous (originates/carried in blood) Ingestion Inhalation Vector (carrier) Vertical transmission
What is vertical transmission?
Passed from mother to baby either during pregnancy or at time of birth due to exchange of bodily fluids
Give an example of transmission via vector?
Malaria
How do infections cause damage?
Toxin production
Interaction with host defenses - may cause damage on own or may lead to inflammation which may cause damage
What is an endotoxin?
Deliberately released by bacteria in order to live
What is an exotoxin?
Released in destruction of bacteria
