Microbiology and Parasitology Quiz: Respiratory, Gastrointestinal, and Genitourinary Tract Diseases

12 Questions

What is the main cause of occupational lung diseases?

Breathing in particles from various sources

Which lung disease is caused by breathing in coal dust?

Coal worker's pneumoconiosis

Where is crystalline silica dust commonly found?

Mines, foundries, and blasting operations

What is the effect of asbestosis on the lungs?

It leads to lung scarring and stiffening

Which lung disease is also known as brown lung disease?

Byssinosis

What is the main cause of hypersensitivity pneumonitis?

Breathing in fungus spores, bacteria, animal or plant protein, or certain chemicals

What can silicosis increase the risk for?

Other lung diseases

What is the outcome of untreated hypersensitivity pneumonitis?

Fibrous scar tissue in the lungs and trouble breathing

What is the difference between work-related asthma and asthma?

Work-related asthma is caused by breathing in dusts, gasses, fumes, and vapors, while asthma is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors

What is a common symptom of asthma?

Both a and b

What is the main difference between COPD and asthma?

COPD is an umbrella term used to describe two primary types of obstructive lung disease, while asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease

What is a risk factor for developing asthma?

All of the above

Study Notes

Occupational Lung Diseases

Caused by breathing in materials into the lungs, leading to lasting effects even after exposure ends
Particles in the air from various sources, including factories, smokestacks, exhaust, fires, mining, construction, and agriculture, can cause lung problems

Asbestosis

Caused by breathing in tiny asbestos fibers
Leads to lung scarring and stiffening of the lungs over time

Coal Worker's Pneumonoconiosis (Black Lung Disease)

Caused by breathing coal dust
Causes lung inflammation and scarring

Silicosis

Caused by breathing in airborne crystalline silica
Found in mines, foundries, and blasting operations, as well as stone, clay, and glass manufacturing facilities
Causes lung scarring and increases the risk for other lung diseases

Byssinosis (Brown Lung Disease)

Caused by breathing in dust from hemp, flax, and cotton processing
Affects textile workers, especially those who work with unprocessed cotton

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

An allergic lung disease caused by breathing in many different substances, including fungus spores, bacteria, animal or plant protein, or certain chemicals
Causes inflamed air sacs in the lungs, leading to fibrous scar tissue and trouble breathing
Different forms of this disease depend on the job, including cork worker's lung, farmer's lung, and mushroom worker's lung

Caused by breathing in dusts, gases, fumes, and vapors
Causes asthma symptoms, such as chronic cough and wheezing
Can be reversed if found early
Higher risk of getting this illness if you work in certain environments, including manufacturing and processing operations, farming, animal care, food processing, cotton and textile industries, and refining operations

Asthma

A chronic inflammatory disease that causes breathing problems when the airways become narrowed by inflammation or blocked by mucus
Symptoms: wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath
Not contagious, but certain factors can make you more prone to developing it, including:
- Having a family history of asthma
- Allergies in general
- Exposure to irritants in the air like smoke, pollution, or secondhand smoke
- Early childhood respiratory infections

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

An umbrella term used to describe two primary types of obstructive lung disease:
- Emphysema
- Chronic Bronchitis
Emphysema develops when the tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) become damaged and less elastic
Leads to a lack of oxygen in the blood due to fewer working parts in the lungs