MIDTERM - lectures 4 & 5 Flashcards
(90 cards)
infectious disease
caused by microorganisms invading body
some of these microorganism’s release toxins that invade & damage body tissues that also cause injury
first line of defence
mechanical barriers - integrity of epithelial surfaces
-Intact skin and mucous membranes
-Oil & perspiration on skin
-Cilia in respiratory tract
-Gag & coughing reflex
-Peristalsis of GI tract
-Flushing action of tears, saliva & mucous
-Presence of normal flora in gut
second line of defence
inflammation
third line of defence
acquired immune response (adaptive immunity)
ENDOGENOUS (sources of infection)
from source within body, a normally existing microbe (like an already existing yeast)
EXOGENOUS (sources of infection)
from source outside body, usually a pathogen from environment (like flu from influenza virus, a toxin in environment or carcinogens)
VIRUSES (sources of infection)
pathogen made of nucleic acid inside protein shell
BACTERIA (sources of infection)
unicellular organism, no nucleus or organelles
PROTOZOA (sources of infection)
unicellular, animal like microorganism, not usually harmful to humans
FUNGI (sources of infection)
yeasts or molds
HELMINTHS (sources of infection)
worms
MYCOBACTERIA (sources of infection)
type of bacteria with fungi like properties
PRIONS (sources of infection)
small particle that is made of protein & is infectious
incubation period
time between entry of microorganism into body & appearance of clinical signs
there are not enough of organism in body to produce clinical effects
prodromal period
nonspecific or generalized symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite or headache
acute period
typical symptoms of infection begin - usually caused by damaged tissues
virulence
number of organisms & time they take to start infection process in a new host
reservoir
host or person who has a contagious disease
carrier
host or person who has a contagious disease, but does not develop illness
fomite
an inanimate object that can transmit an infectious disease
eg/ keyboard, doorknob, phone
routes of transmission
Contact: direct/ indirect (through fomite)
Airborne: smaller particles float on air currents for hours
Droplet: larger particles fall within 1 metre of source
Vehicle: common source like food/ water
Vector: carried by something else like insect (mosquito)
opportunistic infection
results from impaired immune system that can not defend against pathogens that are normally found in environment
Examples: AIDS / HIV patients, transplant patients, older age, newborns, malnourishment, burn victims, any chronic disease
viral infections/ diseases
-viruses are smallest microorganism, always pathogenic * depend on other cells to reproduce
-have protein cover & RNA/ DNA core, must attach to other cells to attack
-once attached, RNA/DNA separates & replicates inside host cell, killing cell & replicating, infecting other nearby cells
viral infections/ diseases - examples
flu, common cold, pneumonia, measles, herpes virus, epstein-barr virus, cytomegalovirus, HPV, enteroviruses – polio, meningitis, HIV etc.