Epidemiology and Spread of Infectious Disease (L38) Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Epidemiology and Spread of Infectious Disease (L38) Deck (27)
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1
Q

what are the sources of infection for humans? (3)

A
  • animal reservoirs (zoonotic disease)
  • non-living reservoirs
  • human carriers/cases
  • nosocomial infection
2
Q

what is the term for when there is an animal reservoir of disease?

A

zoonotic disease

3
Q

what are some examples of zoonotic diseases?

A

rabies, anthrax, ringworm, giardia

4
Q

what are fomites?

A

physical objects which become infected and can transmit infection to humans

5
Q

how can infection be transmitted?

A
  • contact: direct, indirect, droplet

- vectors: mechanical, biological

6
Q

what are the 5 stages of an infectious disease?

A
  • incubation period
  • prodromal period
  • illness
  • decline
  • convalescence
7
Q

what occurs during the incubation period?

A
  • individual has been exposed to the organism which is growing in tissues
  • showing no signs or symptoms
8
Q

how long does the incubation period last for and what determines this length of time?

A
may take a short or long time
depends on:
- virulence
- dose
-immune defences
- pathogen characteristics
- site of infection
9
Q

what occurs during the prodromal period?

A
  • show vague, general symptoms

- symptoms are non-specific and if infectious during this stage, may spread disease before you know you have it

10
Q

why is the prodromal period an important stage of infectious disease?

A

because treatment during this stage may intercept the development of the disease
also may be important for differential diagnosis

11
Q

what is the illness stage of infectious disease?

A
  • the stage where the most characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease are evident
  • most infectious stage
12
Q

what is the decline stage of infectious disease?

A
  • when immune response or medical intervention resolves infection which leads to decrease in pathogen numbers -> declining signs and symptoms
  • immune parameters peak
13
Q

what occurs during the convalescence period of infectious disease?

A
  • no signs or symptoms

- tissues repaired as recovering from damage caused by infectious organism

14
Q

what does the time period of convalescence depend on?

A
  • amount of damage
  • nature of pathogen
  • infection site (CNS = lifelong effects)
  • patient health and immune competence
15
Q

what are nosocomial infections?

A

infections that occur in health care facilities

16
Q

what are the types of nosocomial infection?

A
  • exogenous
  • endogenous
  • iatrogenic
17
Q

what are exogenous nosocomial infections caused by?

A

infection from someone else

18
Q

what are endogenous nosocomial infections caused by?

A

infection from opportunistic pathogens on own body due to catheters (tubes inserted into body)

19
Q

what are iatrogenic nosocomial infections caused by?

A

infection from someone else due to not using sterile instruments or washing hands

20
Q

what are the 3 ways in which infectious diseases can be classified?

A
  • body system
  • taxonomic group
  • longevity and severity
21
Q

what are the categories within the infectious disease classification of longevity and severity?

A
- acute
will start and end within days
will either die or get better
- chronic
go on for months or years
- subacute
largely secondary infections
- latent
22
Q

what are some examples of all the categories within the infectious disease classification of longevity and severity?

A
- acute
common cold
- chronic
TB
- subacute
subacute endocarditis
- latent
chicken pox -> shingles, herpes
23
Q

what does it mean if a disease is epidemic?

A

occurs in a large number of people in a population at the same time

24
Q

what does it mean if a disease is pandemic?

A

disease is widespread, usually worldwide

25
Q

what does is mean if a disease is endemic?

A

the disease is constantly present in a population, usually at low incidences

26
Q

what does it mean if a disease is sporadic?

A

disease only occurs in a few scattered cases

27
Q

outline the experimental approach to epidemiology studies (4)

A
  • reporting of clinical cases attending hospitals or medical practices
  • diagnostic follow up to confirm disease incidence/prevalence
  • monitor disease incidence following therapy/vaccination
  • monitor case histories/patient records