Microbiology Flashcards: Diseases & Infections

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Questions and Answers

What does endogenous mean?

The infection or disease originates within the body (correct)

An infection caused by a hospital

The infection or disease originates outside the body

An infection transmitted by vector organisms

What does exogenous mean?

An infection that cannot be transmitted

An infection that starts within the body

An infection caused by a healthcare-associated pathogen

An infection acquired from environmental exposure (correct)

What are nosocomial infections?

Infections acquired by a person while in a healthcare facility.

What is the role of an infection preventionist?

Infection control professionals that run infection control programs. Signup and view all the answers

What are opportunistic infections?

Infections that occur when the immune system is weak Signup and view all the answers

What does the chain of infection refer to?

Factors that must exist for disease to occur and spread. Signup and view all the answers

What is an infectious agent?

A pathogen. Signup and view all the answers

What is a reservoir in the context of infection?

A place for the infectious agent to live and grow. Signup and view all the answers

What are fomites?

Nonliving materials that house microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a portal of exit?

A way for an infectious agent to escape from the reservoir. Signup and view all the answers

What does mode of transmission mean?

The way for an infectious agent to be transmitted to another reservoir or host. Signup and view all the answers

What is direct contact transmission?

Transmission that occurs through contact and droplet transmission. Signup and view all the answers

What is indirect contact transmission?

Transmission occurs through airborne, vehicleborne means. Signup and view all the answers

What is airborne transmission?

Indirect transmission through suspended particles Signup and view all the answers

What is a susceptible host?

An individual who can contract a disease Signup and view all the answers

Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infection and disease.

True Signup and view all the answers

Nonpathogens are harmful microorganisms.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is respiratory hygiene?

A simple two-step respiratory hygiene process. Signup and view all the answers

What are cocci?

Bacteria that are round or spherical in shape Signup and view all the answers

What is a bacillus?

Rod-shaped bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What are spirilla?

Bacteria that are spiral or corkscrew in shape. Signup and view all the answers

What are staphylococci?

Bacteria that grow in clusters like a bunch of grapes. Signup and view all the answers

What are flagella?

Threadlike projections that allow the organism to move. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification of Infections

Endogenous: Infection arises from within the body.
Exogenous: Pathogen enters the body from an external environment.
Nosocomial: Infections acquired during stay in a healthcare facility.

Infection Control

Infection Preventionist: Professionals managing infection control programs; aim to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Chain of Infection: Sequence of factors necessary for disease transmission from one individual to another.

Types of Infections

Opportunistic: Occur when the immune system is weakened; generally do not affect individuals with robust immunity.
Infectious Agent: Refers to the pathogen responsible for causing the infection.
Reservoir: Environment or host where infectious agents can live and multiply.

Transmission Methods

Fomites: Inanimate objects that can harbor and transmit microorganisms.
Portal of Exit: The route through which the infectious agent escapes the reservoir, often through body fluids.
Mode of Transmission: The mechanism by which infectious agents are transferred to a new host.

Routes of Transmission

Direct Contact: Infections spread through physical contact or droplets.
Contact Transmission: Involves skin-to-skin contact, kissing, sexual activities, or handling contaminated materials.
Droplet Transmission: Occurs with larger droplets expelled through talking, coughing, or sneezing; droplets do not linger in the air.
Indirect Contact: Involves transmission via airborne particles or vehicles.
Airborne Transmission: Infectious particles remain suspended in the air, facilitating longer-range transmission.
Vehicleborne Transmission: Involves objects like food, water, or surfaces that carry pathogens.
Vectorborne Transmission: Insects or animals transmit pathogens (e.g., mosquitoes, fleas).

Host Factors

Portal of Entry: Pathway through which pathogens enter a new host.
Susceptible Host: An individual capable of becoming infected by a pathogen.

Hygiene Practices

Respiratory Hygiene: Simple methods to minimize the spread of pathogens between individuals.

Microorganisms Classification

Nonpathogens: Microorganisms that are normal flora and beneficial for body processes.
Pathogens: Microorganisms that cause disease and infection.

Disease Types

Infectious Disease: Result of pathogenic microorganisms invading a host.
Communicable Disease: Infectious diseases transmittable between individuals.

Microorganisms Overview

Bacteria: Single-celled organisms classified by shape and arrangement; reproduce quickly.
Protozoa: Simplest forms of life in the animal kingdom.
Fungi: Plant-like organisms found in various environments.
Viruses: Smallest microorganisms requiring host cells for reproduction; can damage host cells.

Bacterial Shapes

Cocci: Spherical-shaped bacteria.
Bacillus: Rod-shaped bacteria.
Spirilla: Spiral-shape bacteria.
Diplococci: Cocci that appear in pairs.
Streptococci: Bacteria forming chains.
Staphylococci: Cluster-forming bacteria, like grape bunches; responsible for abscesses and boils.

Bacterial Mobility

Flagella: Tail-like structures that enable bacteria movement, mostly found in bacilli.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the classification of diseases and infections with these microbiology flashcards. Each card provides essential definitions related to infections, including endogenous, exogenous, and nosocomial terms. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.