Communicable/Infectious Disease

Infectious or Communicable Disease caused by pathogens that can be spread from one living thing to another

Key Words Susceptible – at high risk for a disease Acute – an illness that develops having a short duration Chronic – an illness that develops and lasts over a long period of time Contagious – having the ability to be transmitted

Key Words cont’d Relapsing – a recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement Pathogens – microbes which can cause an infectious disease Types: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, worms

Bacteria Microscopic, single celled organisms that can cause disease Three Shapes: Coccus – round Bacillus – rod shaped Spirillum – spiral or twisted Ideal conditions – warm, dark, and moist

Can live and multiply easily outside the body Examples: Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Lyme Disease, Strep Throat, Syphilis, and Gonorrhea

Viruses Bits of genetic material that can only be seen by an electron microscope and take over body cells Can only live outside the body for a short time but must multiply inside the body Examples: Rabies, Polio, Common Cold, Hepatitis, Mumps, Mononucleosis, Small Pox, Chicken Pox, Shingles, and Warts

Fungi Simple organisms that cannot make their own food Examples: Ringworm, Athlete's Foot

Protozoan Single-celled organisms that are larger and have more complex cellular structure than bacteria; most are harmless Examples: Malaria, African Sleeping Sickness

Worms Flatworm and roundworm, while not microorganisms are regarded as pathogens and cause disease in the human body Flatworms – flukes and tapeworms which infect the intestines Roundworms – trichinosis Infects intestines, muscles, and fluids under the skin Pinworms – infects rectum

Methods of Transmission Direct Contact Indirect Contact Animals/ Insects

Defense Against Infection First line of defense – Structural 1. Skin 2. Mucous membranes in the mouth, nose and bronchial tubes 3. Cilia 4. Digestive juices of stomach (acid) 5. Tears

Second Line – Cellular Defense White blood cells Phagocytes – types of white blood cells that eat up invaders Lymph nodes – gland like structures that serve as filters to screen out bacteria

Immunity – last line of defense T-Cells – Lymphocytes that recognize invaders and activate the “B” cells. B-Cells – responsible for producing antibodies that destroy invading germs. Each antibody only good against a specific pathogen

Inborn Immunity – temporary immunity that an infant acquired from antibodies of the mother. Acquired Immunity – the immunity the body develops Vaccines – disease prevention drugs that cause the body to develop antibodies to fight disease- causing germs, thus making the body immune to a disease

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) A transmissible virus that attacks T-cells of the immune system and causes immune deficiency.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Under 200 T-cells per micro liter of blood A fatal, viral disease of the immune system that creates a severe immune deficiency and that leaves people defenseless against infections and cancer

Ways of Transmission Contact with infected blood*****, semen****, or vaginal secretions*** Injection of infected blood or blood products. Vertical transmission (from infected mother to baby)/breast milk**

High Risk Behaviors Anal intercourse Injecting needles with multiple users Vaginal intercourse

Other Risky Behaviors Oral sex or other foreplay Receiving blood (not probable today)

Early Signs of HIV Tiredness and Fatigue Skin rashes Night sweats Loss of weight Constant Diarrhea Sore Throat and Fever

Prevention of HIV and Other STIs 1. Abstinence – Do not have sex 2. Mutual Monogamous relationship – one partner (and using condom) 3. Latex Condoms with lubrication

Testing for HIV Elis Test – tests for antibodies If negative, retest in 6 months If positive another Elisa is done Western Blot – test used to confirm Elisa results

Chlamydia p.499 Chlamydia trachomais bacterium Painful urination/discharge/ no symptoms Complications include- PID/sterility (vas deferens &fallopian tubes)

Syphilis p.500 Spirochete bacterium enters and causes chancre- painless, open sore Chancre, rash, death

Gonorrhea p.501 Bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae Discharge/burning sensation/no symptoms Sterility/PID

Herpes p.502 Herpes simplex virus Cold sores/fever blisters Entire genital region – can spread with condom

HPV p.502 Human Papilloma Virus Genital warts/no symptoms Flesh colored or white and resemble a cauliflower Entire genital region Can cause cervical cancer

Viral Hepatitis p.503 Several viruses No symptoms/flu like/jaundice Liver failure/death

Pediculosis p.503 Pubic lice Itching Must use either OTC or prescription medicine

Trichomoniasis p.503 Similar symptoms to gonorrhea/chlamydia