Pathology
This is the study of disease. This is concerned with:
1.) Etiology, 2.) Pathogenesis, and 3.) The structural and functional changes that occurs because of the disease.
Etiology
This is synonymous with the "cause" of a pathology
Pathogenesis
The manner in which a disease develops.
Infection
The invasion or colonization of the body by pathogenic microorganisms
Disease
This is an abnormal state in which part or all of the body is not properly adjusted or incapable of performing its normal function.
Normal Microbiota
AKA, Normal Flora. Microorganisms that establish permanent residence (colonize) but do not produce disease under normal conditions .
Transient Microbiota
Microorganisms that may be present for several days, weeks, or months, and then disappear.
Microbial Antagonism
When the Normal Microbiota can benefit the host by preventing the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms. This involves competition among microbes.
Microbiota Protection
Involves three steps:
1.) Competing for nutrients
2.) Producing substances harming to the invading microbes
3.) Affecting conditions such as pH
Symbiosis
The relationship between the normal microbiota and the host. (Broad term, living together)
Commensalism
One of the organisms in a symbiotic relationship is benefited and the other is unaffected. Many of the microorganisms that make up our normal microbiota are this.
Mutualism
A type of symbiosis that benefits both organisms. For example, the large intestine contains bacteria, such as E. Coli, that synthesize vitamin K and some b vitamins. These vitamins are absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed for use by body cells. I
Parasitism
Another type of symbiosis where one organism is benefited at the expense of the other. Many disease-causing bacteria and viruses are this.
Koch's Postulates: First
The same pathogen must be present in every case of the disease.
Koch's Postulates: Second
The pathogen must be isolated from the diseased host and grown in pure culture. (In this, the Professor noted a conflict, using the example of the bacteria that causes Leprosy, [Mycobacterium leprae]. He stated that it is nearly impossible to grow in pure
Koch's Postulates: Third
The pathogen from the pure culture must cause the disease when it is inoculated into a healthy, susceptible laboratory animal.
Koch's Postulates: Forth
The pathogen must be isolated from the inoculated animal and must be shown to be the original organism.
Symptoms
Chances in body function, such as pain and malaise (a vague feeling of body discomfort). These subjective changes are not apparent to an observer.
Signs
Are objective changes the physician can observe and measure (fever, swelling, etc).
Syndrome
A specific group of symptoms or signs accompanying a particular disease; such a group.
Communicable Disease
Any disease that spreads from one host to another, either directly or indirectly.
Contagious Disease
Those that are easily spread from one person to another.
Noncommunicable
A disease that is not spread from one host to another. These diseases are caused by microorganisms that normally inhabit the body and only occasionally produce disease, or by microorganisms that reside outside of the body and produce disease only when int
Incidence
The number of people in a population who develop a disease during a particular time period. It may be used as an indicator of the spread of the disease.
Prevalence
The number of people in a population who developed a disease at a specified time, regardless of when it first appeared. This takes into account both old and new cases. It serves as an indicator of how seriously and how long a disease affects a population.
Sporadic Disease
If a particular disease occurs only occasionally.
Epidemic Disease
If many people in a given area acquired a certain disease in a relatively short period. Influenza is an example..
Pandemic Disease
An epidemic disease that occurs worldwide.
Acute Disease
Disease that develops rapidly but lasts only a short time.
Chronic Disease
A disease that develops more slowly, and the body's reactions may be less severe.
Subacute Disease
A disease that is intermediate between acute and chronic.
Latent Disease
A disease in which the causative agent remains inactive for a time but then becomes active to produce symptoms of the disease.
Herd Immunity
When many immune people are present in a community. Vaccination has served to provide active immunity in populations.
Predisposing Factor
A factor that makes the body more susceptible to a disease and in turn may alter the course of the disease.
Predisposing Factors List
Including, but not limited to: Gender, Climate, Nutrition, Age, Occupation, Preexisting Illness, Habits.
Incubation Period
The time interval between the initial infection and the first appearance of any signs or symptoms. It depends on:
1.) The specific organism involved.
2.) The Virulence of the microorganism.
3.) The number of infecting microorganisms.
4.) The resistance of
Prodromal Period
A relatively short period that follows the period of incubation in some diseases. This period is characterized by early, mild symptoms such as general aches and malaise.
Period of Illness
A period where the disease is most acute. The person exhibits overt signs and symptoms of disease, such as fever, chills, muscle pain (myalgias), sensitivity to light (photophobia), sore throat (pharyngitis), lymph node enlargement (lymphadenopathy, and g
Period of Decline
During this period, the signs and symptoms subside. During this phase however, the patient is vulnerable to secondary infection.
Period of Convalescence
During this period, the person regains strength and the body returns to its prediseased. Recovery has occurred.
Reservoir of Infection
A continual source of the disease organisms. This source can either be a living organism or an inanimate object that provides a pathogen with adequate conditions for survival, multiplication, as well as an opportunity for transmission.
Human Reservoir
Many individuals harbor pathogens and transmit them directly or indirectly to others. People with signs and symptoms of a disease may transmit the disease; in addition, some people can harbor pathogens and transmit them to others without exhibiting any si
Animal Reservoir
Both wild and domestic animals are living reservoirs of microorganisms that can cause human disease.
Zoonosis
Diseases that occur primarily in wild and domestic animals and can be transmitted to humans.
Vector
These are animals that carry pathogens from one host to another. Arthropods are the most common.
Fomite
Any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms.
Nonliving Reservoir
The two major nonliving reservoirs of infectious disease are soil and water; both of which may harbor a host of pathogens
Contact Transmission
The spread of an agent of disease by direct contact, indirect contact, or droplet transmission.
Direct Contact Transmission
AKA, person-to-person transmission, is the tranmission of an agent by physical contact between its source and a susceptible host; no intermediate object is involved. The most common forms of this are touching, kissing, and sexual intercourse.
Indirect Contact Transmission
This occurs when the agent of disease is transmitted from its reservoir to a susceptible host by means of a nonliving object (fomite). Examples of fomites include, but are not limited to the following: Tissues, bedding, drinking cups, utensils, toys.
Droplet Transmission
This occurs when microbes are spread in mucus droplets. These droplets are discharged into the air by coughing, sneezing, laughing, or talking. Examples of diseases spread by this are influenza, pneumonia, and pertussis (whooping cough)
Vehicle Transmission
The transmission of disease agents by a medium, such as water, food, or air.
Nosocomial Infection
An infection that does not show any evidence of being present or incubating at the time of admission to a hospital; it is acquired as a result of a hospital stay, Nursing homes or other health care facility.
Compromised Host
A host whose resistance to infection is impaired by disease, therapy, or burns.
Epidemiology
The science that studies when and where diseases occur and how they are transmitted in population.
Morbidity
This refers to the incidence of specific notifiable diseases.
Morbidity Rate
The number of people affected by a disease in a given period of time in relation to the total population.
Mortality
This refers to the number of deaths from specific notifiable diseases.
Mortality Rate
The number of deaths resulting from a disease in a population in a given period of time in relation to the total population.