infectious diseases Flashcards
(13 cards)
give examples of infectious and non infectious diseases
-influenza, malaria, pneumonia, covid 19, HIV/AIDS
-diabetes, asthma, dust allergy, osteoporosis
how are infectious diseases spread
-when a person cough or sneezes, numerous tiny droplets are expelled, these droplets contain respiratory tract secretion, which may contain pathogens, anyone within a close range may breathe in these droplets and get infected, hence are advised to wear mask and keep a distancing during an outbreak
-exchanging bodily fluids during sexual intercourse, when skin or mucous membrane of an infected person comes into contact with skin or mucous membrane of another person, like HIV that can be transmitted during sexual intercourse
-food and water that are not handled properly may be contaminated with pathogens such as bacteria that can cause cholera
features of bacteria cell
has a cell wall and DNA without nucleus, some are pathogenic and some are non pathogenic
features of virus cell
has a protein coat enclosing genetic material and reproduces only in living host cells
state the signs and symptoms of influenza virus and pneumococcus disease
-fever, headache, cough
-sore throat, chills, runny nose, muscle ache, fatigue
-shortness of breath, vomiting, photophobia
ways to reduce transmission of influenza virus and pneumococcus disease
-get the respective vaccination
-avoid close contact with people who are infected
-wash your hands with soap, avoid contact with eyes, nose and mouth
-cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a tissue, dispose
-wear surgical mask
-take antiviral drugs
-take prescribe antibiotics to treat disease
what are vaccines
vaccines contain an agent that resembles the pathogen and prevents infectious disease by stimulating white blood cells to quickly produce antibodies when pathogens invades
explain how vaccines work in the body
WBC binds on to antigens of weakened pathogen from vaccine, stimulating it to divide, many antibodies are produced by copies that help destroy pathogens
what are antibiotics
drugs made by microorganism used to treat bacterial infection
how do antibiotics work
-prevent the synthesis of cell walls, which weaken such that water enters it by osmosis, the cell expands, bursts and dies
-inhibit cell membrane function, bacterial cell is no longer protected from its environment and substances can move into the cell
-inhibit protein synthesis in ribosomes, by binding onto bacterial ribosomes, preventing them from taking part in protein synthesis, inhibiting growth
-inhibiting enzyme action in cytoplasm, inhibit enzyme needed for synthesis of folic acid which is a vitamin required by bacterial cell for growth, inhibiting growth
why are antibiotics ineffective against viruses
-they act on cell walls, cell membrane, ribosomes inhibiting protein synthesis and growth, viruses do not have these organelles and do not grow
how does antibiotic resistance come about
-bacteria that are less sensitive to antibiotics survive, while others dies
-these less sensitive bacteria then multiply, passing their genes and hence resistance down resulting in more resistance bacteria
-further prescription of the antibiotic will not kill these bacteria and cannot be cured when spread to other people unless new antibiotics are discovered
