Health

Study Notes

Caused by pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi) that spread easily.
Stages of infection include incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, and convalescence.

Infectious Agent: Organisms causing infections, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Portal of Exit: Path for pathogens to leave the host, including mouth, skin cuts, and stool.
Mode of Transmission: How germs spread, including direct contact, indirect contact (objects/surfaces), droplet (airborne), water/food-borne, and vector-borne.
Portal of Entry: Path for the infectious agent to enter the host, such as mouth, skin cuts, and eyes.
Susceptible Host: Individuals may be vulnerable due to age, immune status, genetics, malnutrition, or infections like HIV.

Primary prevention: Aims to prevent disease occurrence.
- Includes immunization, environmental contamination reduction, and protective measures.
Secondary prevention: Used after disease onset but before symptoms are apparent.
- Includes checkups, public education, and screening programs.
Tertiary prevention: Administered after diagnosis to optimize treatment and prevent complications.
- Includes medication, disease management, pain reduction, and ongoing health supervision.

Influenza (Flu): Caused by influenza viruses.
Bronchitis: Inflammation of bronchial tubes (acute: short-term, chronic: long-lasting).
Pneumonia: Infection of the alveoli in the lungs.
Tuberculosis: Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, often affecting the lungs.
Malaria: Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.
Dengue: Known as breakbone fever, caused by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Chlamydia: Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, potentially leading to pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility.
Gonorrhea: Caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, spread through body contact.
Syphilis: Caused by Treponema pallidum, transmitted through direct contact.
Genital Herpes: Caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV), characterized by open blisters.
Genital Warts (HPV): Caused by human Papillomavirus (HPV), transmitted through direct contact.
HIV/AIDS: Retrovirus that weakens the immune system.
Trichomoniasis: Caused by Trichomonas vaginalis.

Leptospirosis: Caused by Leptospira, transmitted through infected animal urine.
SARS: Caused by SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), spread through Asia.
Chikungunya: Mosquito-borne viral disease, notable outbreak in Southern Tanzania.
Meningococcemia: Caused by Neisseria meningitides.
Avian Influenza A(H7N9): Subtype of influenza viruses found in China.
Influenza A(H1N1): Known as swine flu, found in pigs.
MERS-CoV: Novel coronavirus identified in Saudi Arabia.
COVID-19: Caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Cigarettes: Drug delivery devices containing 4,000 chemicals.
- Mainstream Smoke: Inhaled from the burning cigar.
- Exhaled Smoke: Breathed out by the smoker.
- Side Stream Smoke: Smoke drifting from the lit cigar.
- Secondhand Smoke: Combination of exhaled mainstream and side stream smoke.
- Thirdhand Smoke: Tobacco residue left behind.

Alcohol Dependence: Diagnosed when individuals experience withdrawals and struggle to control consumption.
Alcohol Abuse: Occurs when alcoholism interferes with major obligations.