Infectious disease Flashcards
Pathogen (enters the body)
Reservoir (can be a person or animal)
Portal of exit (Saliva, mucus membrane, blood, feces, nose or throat discharge
Transmission ( Touching someone, sexual contact, contact with blood, food, soil, water, air)
Portal of entry ( skin, mucus membranes, inhalation ingestion)
Establishment of disease in a new host ( may multiply and produce disease if conditions allow it)
Chain of infection
When does infection occur
When a microorganism (bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoan) invades the body of a host; typically accompanied by damage to cells.
Latent period is…
The time between infection and the development of symptoms/signs
Bacteria
Most are harmless
Can cause harm by releasing enzymes or toxins
Infections can be local or sytemic
Antibiotics
Kill bacteria
a lot of bacteria are now more resistant to antibiotics
Acellular pathogens that invade living cells (can’t survive without a host)
either kill the host cell or alter its function
What are Viruses
Antiviral drugs
Typically reduce the severity or duration of viral infections
Absorb nutrients from host causing damage; release enzymes.
Yeasts mold mushrooms
Fungi
Release enzymes or toxins that destroy cells
Single-celled organisms
Attack tissues or organs and compete with host for nutrients
Parasitic worms
Fungi, Protozoa, Parasitic Worms (Helminths)
Pathogens : agents of infections
How do you catch an infection?
People
Food
Water
Animals and insects (vector transmission)
First line of defense is…
Skin
Cilia
Mucus
Elevated body temperature
cough, tears, saliva
The second line of defense is
Immune cells which recognize pathogens as foreign from their different antigens.
Includes
Macrophages
T cells
B cells
Surround and digest foreign matter
engulf antibody-bound pathogens
Macrophages
