Classification of Infectious Diseases Flashcards

Classification of Infectious Diseases

• Symptoms: Subjective changes in body function felt by a patient due to a disease.
• Signs: Objective alterations that can be observed and measured by a physician.

Disease Patterns

• Syndrome: A collection of symptoms and signs that consistently occur together with a specific disease.
• Communicable Disease: Diseases that can be transmitted from one host to another, either directly or indirectly.
• Contagious Disease: A category of communicable diseases that spread easily from person to person.
• Non-communicable Disease: Diseases that cannot be spread between hosts.

Disease Metrics

• Incidence: The rate of new cases that develop in a population during a defined time frame.
• Prevalence: The total number of cases present in a population at a specific time, regardless of when they arose.

Disease Occurrence

• Sporadic Disease: Occurs infrequently and irregularly within a population.
• Endemic Disease: Constantly present in a particular geographic area or population.
• Epidemic: Rapid increase in the number of cases within a short time frame across a larger population.
• Pandemic: An epidemic that spreads globally, affecting a large number of people.

Disease Duration and Severity

• Acute Disease: Develops quickly but has a short duration.
• Chronic Disease: Progresses slowly with less severe symptoms, often recurring over an extended period.
• Subacute Disease: Features symptoms or signs that are intermediate between acute and chronic.
• Latent Disease: The disease agent is inactive for a time, but can reactivate leading to symptoms.

Infection and Immune Response

• Herd Immunity: When a significant portion of a population is immune, thus offering protection to susceptible individuals.
• Local Infection: Infection confined to a specific area of the body.
• Systemic Infection: Dissemination of microorganisms throughout the body via blood or lymph.
• Focal Infection: Local infection agents enter the bloodstream, spreading but remaining confined to specific areas.

Infection Consequences

• Sepsis: A toxic inflammatory condition from the spread of pathogens or their toxins, can be life-threatening.
• Septicemia: Systemic infection due to the proliferation of pathogens in the bloodstream.
• Bacteremia: The presence of bacteria circulating in the blood.
• Toxemia: The presence of toxins in the bloodstream.
• Viremia: The presence of viruses in the bloodstream.

Types of Infections

• Subclinical Infection (Inapparent): An infection that does not manifest noticeable symptoms.
• Normal Flora (Normal Microbiota): Microorganisms that inhabit a host without causing disease.
• Transient Microbiota: Temporary microorganisms in a host that do not cause illness.

Disease Foundations

• Etiology: The study of the causes of diseases.
• Pathogenesis: The progression and development of diseases.
• Infection: The growth of pathogens within the body.
• Disease: A state of abnormal body function or health deviation.

Biological Interactions

• Symbiosis: A close association between two living organisms.
• Commensalism: One organism benefits while the other remains unaffected.
• Mutualism: Both organisms derive benefits from the relationship.
• Probiotics: Live beneficial microbial cultures that promote health.
• Parasitism: One organism benefits at the expense of another.

Risk Factors

• Opportunistic Pathogens: Normally non-pathogenic microorganisms that can cause disease in certain conditions.
• Predisposing Factors: Conditions that increase susceptibility to diseases and influence their course.
• Reservoir of Infection: A habitat where infectious agents live and multiply, potentially spreading to hosts.

This quiz provides flashcards on key terms related to the classification of infectious diseases. Each card defines essential concepts such as symptoms, signs, and syndromes. Test your knowledge and understanding of these fundamental topics in infectious disease.