Harmful Microorganisms Flashcards
1
Q
How can diseases be spread?
A
- Microbes can be spread in food (salmonella), can be controlled by food hygiene
- Microbes can be spread in water (cholera), can be controlled by water treatment
- Microbes can need direct contact, can be controlled by barrier methods
- Microbes can be spread in airborne droplets (influenza), can be controlled by tissue and isolation of patients
2
Q
What are the stages of infectious diseases?
A
1) Microbe enters body
2) Reproduces many times without causing symptoms (incubation period)
3) Microbes cause the production of toxins
4) Toxins cause symptoms, eg. fever
3
Q
Why is disease common in disaster areas?
A
- Destruction of sewage systems leads to water contamination
- Damage to electricity causes fridges to stop working and food to decay
- Shortage of staff or hospitals damaged
- Large numbers of people living close together
4
Q
Who made discoveries in preventing diseases?
A
- Louis Pasteur: proved microbes in air could make food go bad
- Joseph Lister: invented first aseptic technique by putting carbonic acid on a wound to prevent infection
- Alexander Fleming: discovered penicillin
5
Q
How do we prevent antibiotic resistance?
A
- Only prescribe when necessary
- Advise to finish dose so partially resistant bacteria are also killed
