Epidemics and Pandemics

Micro-Organisms a microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus Also known as a microbe

Pathogens a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease. Can cause food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever

Positive Interactions with Microbes Food Production Medicine Production Agricultural Production Waste Management Disaster Recovery Positive Interactions with Microbes

The Immune System First line of defense: White blood cells release chemicals that make it easier for other white blood cells to kill pathogens Second line of defense: Inflammation causes the affected area to become red and swollen. This helps to keep infection from spreading Third line of defense: Specialized white blood cells with memory of how to attack this pathogen respond Antigen, antibody, b cells, t cells

Vaccines a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared from the causative agent of a disease, its products, or a synthetic substitute, treated to act as an antigen without inducing the disease. Types: Live, attenuated vaccine: contains living microbes that have been weakened Inactivated vaccines: contains microbes that have been killed with cheat, chemicals, or radiation. Booster shots are needed periodically Subunit vaccines: pieces of microbes are used to make the vaccine. Toxoid vaccines: made using toxins that some types of bacteria produce. Toxins are inactivated and can no longer cause the disease. Booster shots needed.

Epidemics and Pandemics Epidemic: The occurrence of disease in a defined area Outbreak: Same as an epidemic but refers to a limited geographic area Pandemic: an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents They can have social impact, economic impact, or both