Week 4: Infection for real this time Flashcards
What is the PROCESS of infection?
- Encounter
- Transmission
- Colonization
- Invasion or Penetration
- Dissemination
- Cellular or tissue damage
Two ways that an individual can ENCOUNTER or come in contact with microorganisms
- Endogenous microorganisms
- Exogenous microorganisms
Endogenous microorganisms
Organisms already present in the body and part of the normal microbiome
Naturally on us
Exogenous microorganisms
Are transmitted from an external environment.
Not naturally on us
Two ways transmission of microorganisms can occur:
- Direct Transmission/Contact
- Indirect Transmission
Direct Transmission/Contact Two Types
- Vertical Transmission
- Horizontal Transmission
Vertical Transmission
From mother to child across placenta, during delivery from birth canal or breast milk
Horizontal Transmission
From one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids
Indirect Transmission
Occurs from contact with:
infected materials,
inhalation or droplet infection,
ingestion of contaminated food or water
or inoculation
Colonization
Colonization is the ability of a pathogenic microorganism to survive and multiply on or within the human environment.
Invasion or Penetration
Invasion or penetration is the ability of pathogens to cross surface barriers including the skin and mucous membranes.
What does Invasion or Penetration require?
Requires penetration or break in the integrity of the barrier
Dissemination
Dissemination or spread of infection can occur by direct extension through surrounding tissue or through the blood or lymphatic vessels.
Two ways Tissue damage can occur?
- Directly
- Indirectly
Direct Tissue Damage
Production of toxins
Indirect Tissue Damage
Indirect as a result of an immune response with inflammation, swelling, scarring or necrosis
What are the STAGES of infection?
- Incubation Period
- Prodromal Stage
- Invasion or Acute Illness Period
- Convalescence
Incubation Period- what is it?
The period from initial exposure of infectious agent and the onset of symptoms.
Incubation period- what happens?
The microorganisms have:
entered the individual,
undergone initial colonization
and begun multiplying but are insufficient numbers to cause symptoms
How long does incubation period typically last?
Several hours to years
Prodromal Stage
The occurrence of initial symptoms, which are often very mild
Pathogens continue to multiply during this stage
Invasion or acute illness period
The pathogen is multiplying rapidly, invading farther and affecting the tissues at the site of initial colonization as well as other areas
the immune and inflammatory responses have been triggered; symptoms may be specifically related to the pathogen or to the inflammatory response
Convalescence: most cases what happens?
In most instances, the individual’s immune and inflammatory systems successfully remove the infectious agent and symptoms decline
Convalescence: less cases what happens?
the disease may be fatal or enter a latency phase with resolution of symptoms until pathogen reactivation at a later time