infectious diseases Flashcards
(26 cards)
when do diseases occur
when parts of the body cannot function properly
2 types of diseases
infectious (can be spread to others)
non-infectious (cannot be spread to others
what are microorganisms that cause diseases called
pathogens
examples of types of pathogens
virus / fungi / bacteria
virus size range, examples of diseases
20-400 um // influenza, common cold
where does influenza infect, what is it caused by, symptoms of influenza
upper respiratory tract
caused by influenza virus
symptoms: fever, runny nose, tiredness, coughing
bacterium size range, examples of diseases
0.2 - 8μm // tuberculosis, cholera
where does tuberculosis infect, what is it caused by, symptoms of tuberculosis
infects lungs
caused by M.tuberculosis
symptoms: fever, persistent coughing, chest pain
fungi size range, examples of diseases
2 - 10μm // athlete’s foot
where does athlete’s foot infect, what is it caused by, symptoms of athlete’s foot
grows on the skin of the foot
caused by T.rubrum
symptoms: itching, cracked skin on the foot
when do transmission of infectious diseases occur
when pathogens are passed from an infected person to another person
different methods of transmission + examples
air / droplets (influenza)
water / food (cholera)
direct contact (athlete’s foot)
body fluids eg. blood, saliva, semen (AIDS)
animals eg. mosquitos (dengue fever)
how to prevent transmission through air / droplets
wear surgical masks when having respiratory symptoms
cover mask / mouth when coughing to trap droplets
wash hands frequently
maintain good ventilation
how to prevent transmission through water / food
boil drinking water and cook food thoroughly to kill microorganisms in water / food
wash hands after using toilet + befor eating
how to prevent transmission through direct contact
avoid close contact with those infected
wash hands frequently
clean objects / surfaces in public areas frequently
how to prevent transmission through body fluids
do not share needles / razors etc.
wear protective gloves when handling wounds
use condoms during sexual intercourse
how to prevent transmission through animals
kil animals that carry pathogens (eg. using insecticides)
avoid contact with animals that carry pathogens
prevent the growth of animals that carry pathogens
what is the purpose of vaccination
to prepare the immune system to respond quickly when infected by new pathogens, as it takes time for the immune system to respond when the body encounters a new kind of pathogen for the first time
what do vaccines contain and why
contains weakened / dead pathogens that do not cause diseases, stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that attack and destroy the vaccine
what happens when you’re infected by a pathogen that you got vaccinated against
immune system can quickly recognise the pathogen and produce a large amount of antibodies in a shorter time to destroy them –> we don’t become sick and we are said to have immunity against the disease
why are there different vaccines for diff pathogens
because the antibodies are not one size fit all, they must match with the specific pathogen
who can’t have vaccinations and why + alternatives
ppl w a compromised immune system, as they may have negative reactions to vaccinations
they can instead directly have antibodies
why do we need booster vaccines
over time, the antibody levels decrease (break down in the body by itself, as they are proteins); boosters keep the antibody levels high over time
