Week 5: Notes and Slides (5-6) 1 Flashcards
Define Typhoid Mary
A famous asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever who unknowingly spread the disease to numerous people in early 20th century America.
Define Epidemic
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
Why did countries with extensive trade suffer fewer severe epidemics historically?
Frequent exposure to various pathogens likely built stronger immunity in trading countries, reducing the impact of epidemics.
How did the movement of people during wars impact the spread of disease?
Large gatherings and movements of refugees spread infectious diseases rapidly, often worsening epidemic impacts during wars.
What major effect did the plague of Athens have on Athenian society?
A) Strengthened its military power
B) Led to the Golden Age of Athens
C) Ended the Golden Age and weakened Athens
C) Ended the Golden Age and weakened Athens
Which of the following diseases was responsible for a significant reduction in the indigenous populations of the Americas following European contact?
A) Typhoid
B) Smallpox
C) Yellow Fever
B
True or False: The Justinian Plague was worsened by climate changes resulting from a volcanic eruption.
Answer: True
Reason: Climate changes from volcanic eruptions contributed to societal stress, making populations more vulnerable to epidemics.
True or False: The Spanish Flu primarily impacted young adults rather than the elderly or infants.
Answer: True
Reason: Unlike typical influenza outbreaks, the Spanish Flu had unusually high mortality rates among young adults, a phenomenon that is still not fully understood.
Yes or No
Did the spread of diseases like smallpox in the Americas after Spanish contact result in a drastic population decline?
Answer: Yes
Reason: Diseases brought by Europeans killed an estimated 90-95% of the indigenous population in parts of the Americas.
Yes or No
Was malaria originally thought to be caused by “bad air” rather than mosquitoes?
Answer: Yes
Reason: The name “malaria” comes from the Italian “mal aria,” meaning “bad air,” because people associated the disease with swampy areas.
