Challenges In Treatment And Control Flashcards
What is the definition of epidemiology?
The study of the outbreak and spread of infectious disease
What is the definition of Herd Immunity?
The resistance to the spread of a contagious disease that results if a sufficiently high proportion of individuals are immune to the disease
What is the herd immunity threshold?
It is the density of resistant hosts in the population required to prevent an epidemic
What do vaccines contain and how might it cause an issue?
They contain antigens that will elicit an immune response. This can cause issues as antigenic variation has to be reflected in the design of vaccines.
What does the similarities between host and parasite metabolism makes it difficult to do?
Find drug compounds that only target the parasite
Challenges arise where parasites spread most rapidly as a result of what?
Overcrowding or tropical climates
Where can overcrowding occur?
In refugee camps that result from war or natural disaster or rapidly growing cities in LEDCs (less economically developed countries)
What does the conditions of overcrowding mean for treatment of diseases?
It makes co-ordinated treatment and control programs difficult to achieve
What may often be the only control strategies for diseases?
Civil engineering projects to improve sanitation combined with co-ordinated vector control
What does improvements in parasite control result in?
A reduce in child mortality and results in population-wide improvements in child development and intelligence, as individuals have more resources for growth and development
