Immunity & Infections

Question 1

The 2 different means of transmission for all pathogens

Answer 1

Direct transmission – from person to person

Indirect transmission – from reservoir to insect, food, water, etc. to
person

Question 2

What are allergies the result of? What is a serious allergic reaction called?

Answer 2

A hypersensitive and overactive immune system.

Anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening

Question 3

Which organisms are beneficial for our survival?

Answer 3

Bacteria

Question 3

Which organism has no DNA or RNA?

Answer 3

Prions. They consist of proteins

Question 4

What is HIV infection and what major cell does it invade?

Answer 4

A chronic disease that progressively damages the body’s immune system.

It invades the CD4 T-cells, the white blood cells

Question 5

3 ways of transmitting HIV

Answer 5

Sexual contact – unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal intercourse

Direct contact with infected blood – sharing needles, blood transfusions

HIV infected mother-to-child – pregnancy (placenta), birth, breastfeeding

Question 6

When does HIV turn into AIDS?

Answer 6

When the CD4 T-cell count becomes lower than 200 cells per ml. of blood.

Diagnosed as AIDS, if HIV positive person develops an AIDS indicator infection or has severely damaged immune system

Question 7

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is not an STD but is caused by STD’s. Which STD’s cause it and when?

Answer 7

PID is caused by the STD’s chlamydia and/or gonorrhea when adequate treatment has not been received

Question 8

What is the most common STD that is diagnosed and treated at college
health centers? Also, what is the cure?

Answer 8

Human Papillomavirus (HPV), no cure

Question 9

Why is Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) more contagious than HIV?

Answer 9

Yes, it is more contagious because it can spread through nonsexual close
contact, and in all body fluid

Question 10

Pathogens

Answer 10

Disease causing microorganism

Question 11

Portal of entry for pathogens

Answer 11

Penetration of the skin, inhalation, ingestion

Question 12

White blood cells and their individual jobs

Answer 12

Neutrophils (engulfs foreign organisms), Macrophages (large cells - devour pathogens), Natural killer cells (destroys virus and cancer cells), Dendritic cells (activates lymphocytes), Lymphocytes (T-cells, B-cells)

Question 13

Autoimmune disease

Answer 13

Body confuses its own cells as foreign organisms and tries to destroy them, more common in women than men

Question 14

Incubation

Answer 14

Viruses or bacteria actively multiplying in the body, host can be contagious

Question 15

Vaccines, how they work, and examples

Answer 15

Vaccines, how they work, examples: a killed/weakened pathogen given to stimulate the immune system

Ex. activeI (polio), passive (rabies), and acquired immunity (chicken pox)

Question 16

How should you use antibiotics?

Answer 16

Don’t take every time you are sick, use them as directed and finish full course, never take without prescription

Question 17

Bioterrorism

Answer 17

Intentional release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops

(ex. anthrax, smallpox, plague, botulism, Ebola)

Question 18

Major STDs

Answer 18

HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis
Herpes
HPV
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis

Question 19

Symptoms of HIV infection

Answer 19

Fever, fatigue, rashes, headache, swollen lymph nodes, body aches, night sweats, sore throat, nausea and diarrhea

Question 20

Opportunistic infections

Answer 20

Infection most often seen among ppl with HIV is pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (protozoal infection)

Question 21

Chlamydia

Answer 21

Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus. Causes Sterility.

Diagnosis: urine sample, fluid from urethra/cervix, or tissue sample

Treatment: antibiotics & retest 3-4 months after

Protection: condoms, safe sex

Question 22

Gonorrhea

Answer 22

Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus. Causes sterility or arthritis.

Diagnosis: discharge, urine, throat or rectal fluids

Treatment: newer oral antibiotics
due to problem with drug resistance,
people often have chlamydia at same time

Protection: condoms, safe sex

Question 23

Syphilis

Answer 23

Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus AND kissing. Remains in the body for life, leads to disfigurement, neurological disorders, or death.

Treatment & diagnosis: Diagnose through blood tests, treat with antibiotics.

Protection: avoid sex or those infected.

Question 24

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Answer 24

Harms woman’s reproductive system; can lead to sterility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pain – whether treated or not.

**NOT an STD, but caused by STD’s (chlamydia and/or gonorrhea)

Diagnosis: symptoms, pelvic exam, ultrasound

Treatment: antibiotics

Protection: condoms, safe sex

Question 25

Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV)

Answer 25

Spreads through sex, condoms not totally effective. Causes cervical or penile cancer.

Diagnosis: appearance of lesions, special exam, or biopsy

Treatment: remove warts by cryosurgery, electrocautery, or laser surgery.

Protection: vaccinations, condoms

Question 26

Gentital Herpes (HSV)

Answer 26

Spread through sex and from birth canal to fetus AND kissing. Causes cervical cancer.

Diagnosis: examination of fluid from sores, blood tests

Protection: avoid sex, or use condoms

NO CURE

Question 27

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

Answer 27

Spread through ALL body fluid. Causes liver disease and death.

Diagnosis: blood tests

NO cure, NO treatment.

Prevent exchanging body fluids, use condoms, don’t share needles, get vaccinated.

Question 28

Phases of Syphilis

Answer 28

Primary phase – 10-90 days after exposure - painless sores and wet
ulcers (chancre) at site of entry and swollen glands

Secondary phase – 3-6 weeks after chancre sore - up to 2 years
with body rash, mild fever, fatigue, sore throat (flulike symptoms), and hair loss

Late phase (tertiary) – damage to organs and nervous system, cardiovascular damage, blindness, death

Question 29

Other STDs

Answer 29

Trichomoniasis: Increases risk of other STDs, HIV, and cervical cancer, can remain alive outside of body up to 6 hrs.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV): Caused by a shift in healthy bacteria (lacto-bacillus) vs. overgrowth of anaerobic microorganisms

Public Lice: Feeds on human blood, attaches to pubic hair

Scabies: minute burrowing parasitic mite that lays eggs beneath the skin