Causes, Transmission, and Treatment Of Diseases

Question 1

Where do most diseases affect and individual?

Answer 1

In the respiratory tract
Nose to lungs
Caused by bacteria or viruses

Question 2

What are some diseases caused by bacteria or viruses?

Answer 2

Bacteria - Strep throat and bacteria pneumonia

Viral Diseases - Common cold and flu

Question 3

What is strep throat?

Answer 3

Infection of throat and tonsils
Causes the throat to be irritated and inflamed
Streptococcal bacteria and other types

Question 4

How is strep throat spread?

Answer 4

Direct contact to a sick person
Droplets containing strep in the air from coughing, breathing, or sneezing
Takes 2-5 days to show symptoms

Question 5

What are the symptoms of strep throat?

Answer 5

Severe sore throat
Fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
Swollen tonsils and lymph nodes
White or yellow spots on throat

Question 6

How is strep diagnosed?

Answer 6

Physical exam
Rapid strep test
Throat culture

Question 7

How is strep treated?

Answer 7

Antibiotics to reduce how long a person is contagious and the risk of spread
Over the counter medicine to relieve pain and reduce fever

Question 8

What is bacteria pneumonia?

Answer 8

Collection of many different diseases
One of the top ten causes of death in the US
The elderly, young children, and individuals with health problem at risk

Question 9

How is bacterial pneumonia spread?

Answer 9

Breathing the bacteria into the lungs
Direct contact with those who are infected
Contaminated objects and environmental sources

Question 10

What are the symptoms of bacteria pneumonia?

Answer 10

Coughing with mucus
Fever
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Question 11

How is bacterial pneumonia diagnosed?

Answer 11

Physical exam and review of symptoms
Chest x-ray and blood test
Additional tests may be needed

Question 12

How is bacterial pneumonia treated?

Answer 12

With antibiotics

Getting plenty of rest, drinking liquids, and not smoking

Question 13

What is the common cold?

Answer 13

Viral infection of nose and throat
Over 200 different viruses, not harmful
Most common illness in US with adults having colds 2-4 times/year
Children as many as 6-10 times/year

Question 14

How is the common cold spread?

Answer 14

Hand-to-hand contact and shared objects
Droplets in air from talking, coughing, or sneezing
Enters through mouth or nose

Question 15

What are the symptoms of the cold?

Answer 15

Runny/stuffy nose
Itchy/sore throat
Cough 
Congestion
Body aches or mild headache
Sneezing/watery eyes

Question 16

How is the common cold diagnosed/treated?

Answer 16

No real medical test, no doctor unless conditions worsen
No medical treatment
OTC meds can help with symptoms: decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays, cough meds, pain relievers

Question 17

What is influenza?

Answer 17

Flu viral infection of nose, throat, bronchial tubes, and lungs
Caused by influenza A, B, or C virus
New strains always evolving

Question 18

How is influenza spread?

Answer 18

Mouth or nose
Droplets in air from talking, coughing, or sneezing
Contaminated objects

Question 19

What are symptoms of influenza?

Answer 19

High fever
Chills and sweats
Fatigue and weakness
Headache/muscle aches
Cough and congestion 
Diarrhea

Question 20

How is influenza diagnosed and treated?

Answer 20

Based on symptoms, influenza rapid test
Antiviral meds, bed rest and fluids
Prevention with annual flu vaccination

Question 21

What are other common bacteria diseases?

Answer 21

Meningitis

Tuberculosis

Question 22

What are other common viral diseases?

Answer 22

Hepatitis A, B, and C
Mononucleosis
Encephalitis
Meningitis