Professor of Public Health
Prepared by: Richard C. Krejci, Ph.D.
Chapter 15:
Avoiding Infectious Diseases
An Invitation to Health
Name the infectious diseases for which you are most at risk,
and list your strategies for avoiding them.
Explain the dangers of overuse of misuse of
antibiotics.
Name and describe some common infectious
diseases.
List ways to protect yourself from catching a cold or the
flu and ways to feel better if you do catch one.
Describe how your body protects itself from infectious disease.
Explain how different agents of infection spread disease.
Chapter 15 Objectives
Small parasitic worms that attack specific tissues or organs and
compete with the host for nutrients.
Helminths
Single-celled, microscopic animals that release enzymes and toxins
that destroy cells or interfere with their function.
Protozoa
Single-celled or multi-celled organisms composed of threadlike fibers
and reproductive spores. Fungi release enzymes that digest cells in
hair-covered areas of the body.
Fungi
Simple one-celled organisms. The most plentiful microorganisms as
well as the most pathogenic. Bacteria harm the body by releasing
enzymes that digest body cells or toxins that produce the specific
effects of specific diseases.
Bacteria
Tiniest pathogens, but also the toughest. Consist of a bit of RNA or
DNA within a protein coat. Take over a body cell’s reproductive
machinery to reproduce.
Viruses
Agents of Infection
Water
Food
Animals
and
Insects
People
How Do You Catch An Infection?
5. Clinical Stage
2. Infection
3. Incubation
Period
1. Exposure
6. Recovery or
Relapse
4. Prodormal
Period
The Process of
Infection
7. Termination
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•
•
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Lymphocytes (white blood
cells)
Spleen, thymus gland, lymph
nodes, and lymph vessels.
Lymphatic System
Organs and Components:
Tears, sweat, skin oils,
saliva, mucus, and cilia.
How Your Body Protects Itself
Some of the lymph nodes
• Filter bacteria and many
other agents of disease
from lymph
Some of the lymph vessels
• Return excess fluid
and reclaimable solutes
to the blood
Lymph nodes
• Store protective cells
and destroy pathogens
Thoracic duct
• Drains most of body
Right lymphatic duct
• Drains right upper portion
of body
The Human
Lymphatic System
and Its Functions
Bone marrow
• Marrow in some bones are
production sites for infectionfighting blood cells (as well as
red blood cells and
platelets)
Fig.
14-1, p. 395
Spleen
• Site where antibodies are
manufactured; disposal
site for old red blood cells
and foreign debris; site
of red blood cell formation
in the embryo
Thymus gland
• Site where certain white
blood cells acquire means
to chemically recognize
specific foreign invaders
Tonsils
• Defense against bacteria
and other foreign agents
Macrophage
Antigen
B
Pathogen
T
B
Antibody
T
NK
T
T
Natural killer cell
T
Infected body cell
The Immune Response
Fig. 15-2, p. 440
Memory T cells
remain in the body
to kick-start the
fight if the
pathogen returns.
T
•
•
•
Itching, nasal congestion,
eye irritation, coughing,
wheezing, hives, vomiting,
and diarrhea, and even
sudden life-threatening
collapse.
•
Non-sedating oral
medications, nasal sprays,
and immunology.
Treatments
•
Hypersensitivity to a
substance in our
environment or diet.
Symptoms
Allergies
Immune Disorders
•
•
•
•
When the immune system declares war on the cells,
tissues, or organs it normally protects.
Types
• Graves disease, systematic lupus, scleroderma,
rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Causes
• Genetics, drugs, chemicals, bacteria and viruses.
Treatments
• Medications.
• New diagnostic tests and treatments are on the
horizon.
Autoimmune Disorders
Immune Disorders
Tetanus, Diphtheria
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis A
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Meningococcal Disease
Influenza
Pneumococcal Disease
Recommendations for Adult
Immunizations
Adult Immunizations
The Elderly
Individuals
Working With
Sick Individuals
Children &
Their Families
Smokers & Those
With Respiratory
Problems
Residing In Poorly
Ventilated
Buildings
The Chronically
Ill
Who Is At Highest Risk
of Infectious Disease?
Common Cold
Influenza
Meningitis
Hepatitis
Mononucleosis
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Pneumonia
Tuberculosis
Group A and Group B Strep Infection
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Insect- and Animal-Borne Infections
New Infectious Treats
Common Infectious Diseases
There are 200 distinct cold viruses.
Americans come down with 1 billion colds annually.
The common cold results in ~20 million lost work
days and 22 million days of absence from school.
•
Stuffy nose, headache and runny nose.
Rhinoviruses causing symptoms above the neck
•
•
Adenoviruses, para-influenza viruses, coronaviruses and influenza viruses.
These viruses are more likely to get into the
bronchi and trachea and cause more fever and
bronchitis.
Winter Colds
•
Spring, Summer and Early Fall Colds
•
•
•
Common Cold Facts
Limit Aspirin and Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Suppresses important antibodies and increases
symptoms.
• Reye’s syndrome
Ibuprofen
Antihistamines
• Watch for drowsiness
• Individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, heart
disease, or thyroid disorders should limit products
containing pseudoephedrine.
Limit Multi-symptom Medications
Alternative Remedies
• ? Vitamin C, Echinacea, zinc lozenges
Treatments for the Common Cold
Transmission
Facts
A and influenza B.
flu is very contagious and is
spread by coughs, sneezes,
laughs, and even normal
conversation.
• The
• Influenza
flu causes more
severe, longer lasting
symptoms than a cold.
• The
Influenza
Antiviral Drugs
Vaccinations
FluMist vs. flu
• Relenza®
and Tamiflu®
shots
• Not for individuals who are
allergic to eggs.
• Annually:
Influenza
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Individuals aged 65 years and older.
Residents in long term care
facilities.
Individuals aged 2 to 64 years with
chronic health conditions.
Children aged 6 to 23 months.
Pregnant women.
Health-care personnel
Household contacts and caregivers.
Individuals Who Should Get Flu Shots
Student Snapshot, p. 402
Rate of Flu in College Dorms
Symptoms
Facts
fever, severe headache, nausea,
vomiting, and lethargy.
meningitis is typically less severe.
• Rash,
• Viral
result in hearing loss, kidney failure,
and permanent brain damage.
• Can
extremely serious, potentially fatal
illness that attacks the membranes around
the brain and spinal cord; caused by the
bacterium Neisseria meningitis.
• An
Meningitis
Vaccinations
for freshman living
in dormitories.
• Vaccination is effective for 3 years
against 70% of bacterial meningitis
strains.
• Recommended
eating utensils, or cigarettes; or
prolonged exposure to infected
individuals.
Transmission • Coughing, kissing, sharing drinks,
Meningitis
fever, fatigue, stiff or aching
joints, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Enlarged, tender liver.
• Sometimes the yellowish tinge of jaundice
develops.
• Headaches,
Symptoms
different viruses (hepatitis A, B, C,
Delta and E) that can cause inflammation
of the liver.
• Five
Facts
Hepatitis
Treatments
Transmission
a high-protein diet, and the
avoidance of alcohol and drugs
that may stress the liver.
• Alpha interferon.
• Rest,
A: Poor sanitation
• Hepatitis B: Blood and other bodily
fluids
• Hepatitis C: Exposure to infected
blood, injection-drug use, tattoos,
or body piercing.
• Hepatitis
Hepatitis
If you require prophylactic antibiotics for
dental cleanings or other procedures, do
not get a tattoo.
Always ask to see photos of the artist’s
finished work.
Ask how the artist disposes of used
needles.
Make sure the artist uses only new
sterile needles.
Find out if the artist is vaccinated for
hepatitis B.
Make sure the artist is wearing standard
medical latex gloves.
Ask to see a certification that the
autoclave has been sterilized.
Before Getting a Tattoo or Piercing
Transmission
Facts
can get mono through
kissing or any other form of
close contact.
• You
can get mono through
kissing or any other form of
close contact.
• You
viral disease that targets
people 15-24 years old.
•A
Mononucleosis
• Sore
throat, headache,
fever, nausea, and
prolonged weakness.
• Swollen spleen, and
enlarged lymph nodes and
liver.
• Rest
Symptoms
Treatment
Mononucleosis
Facts
many as 500,000
Americans have an
array of symptoms
known as chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS).
• As
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
abnormalities,
such as high levels of
certain immune cells (B
lymphocytes and
cytokines) that act as if
they were constantly
battling a viral infection.
• Unavailable
Diagnosis
at this time.
• Immune
Common
Characteristics
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
bacterial infection of the lungs.
• About 30% of the world’s population
is infected with the TB organism,
although not all develop active
disease.
• Approximately 15 million Americans
have the disease.
•A
inadequate ventilation increases the
risk of infection.
Transmission • Highly contagious, especially where
Facts
Tuberculosis
depending on the organs
affected.
• Fever, sweating, unexplained weight
loss, loss of appetite, fatigue,
persistent cough, difficulty breathing
or chest pain when breathing.
•A
Treatment
combination of three to four
different antibiotics taken daily for at
least 6 to 9 months.
• Vary
Symptoms
Tuberculosis
If untreated, TB can eventually spread to and
damage the brain, bone, eyes, liver and kidneys,
spine, and skin.
How
Tuberculosis
Spreads
Fig. 14-4, p. 405
Other parts of
the lung are
affected, including
bronchi and the
lining of the lung.
The TB bacteria
lodge mainly
in the lungs,
where they
slowly multiply,
creating patches,
then cavities, in
the lungs.
When someone with
active tuberculosis
exhales, coughs, or
sneezes, tuberculosis
is expelled in tiny
airborne droplets that
others may inhale.
Facts
B streptococcus (GBS) is the
leading cause of life-threatening perinatal infections in the United States.
• Group
streptococcal shock syndrome
is an invasive form of the disease in
which strep gains access to the blood.
• Toxic
A streptococcal bacteria
causes strep throat.
• Group
Group A and Group B Strep Infection
Treatment
• Group
A: Antibiotics (penicillin or
Omnicef®)
• If not treated promptly, strep
bacteria can travel to the kidneys,
the liver, or the heart, where they
can cause rheumatic fever.
• Group B: Antibiotics during and prior
to childbirth.
Group A and Group B Strep Infection
Symptoms
Facts
fever; a rash that leads to peeling of the
skin on the fingers, toes, palms, and soles;
dizziness; dangerously low blood pressure;
and abnormalities in several organ systems,
and in the muscles and blood.
• High
by Staphylococcus aureus and Group
A Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.
• Caused
potentially deadly disease associated with
the use of tampons, particularly highabsorbency types, and women who have given
birth within the preceding six to eight weeks.
•A
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Treatment
treatment, TSS can cause severe
and permanent damage, including muscle
weakness, partial paralysis, amnesia,
disorientation, an inability to concentrate,
and impaired lung and kidney function.
• Without
hospitalization, IV administration
of fluids, medications to raise blood
pressure, and powerful antibiotics.
• Immediate
Toxic Shock Syndrome
Lyme
Disease
Infection
•
•
•
A bacterial infection spread by ticks
carrying the a bacterium called
Borrelia burgdorferi.
Symptoms include joint inflammation,
heart arrhythmias, blinding
headaches, and memory lapses.
LYMErix
Characteristics
Insect and Animal Borne
Infections
West Nile
Virus
Infection
•
•
•
Characteristics
A virus transmitted by a mosquito that
feeds on an infected bird and then
bites a human.
MNV interferes with normal central
nervous system functioning and
causes inflammation of brain tissue.
No treatment is available.
Insect and Animal Borne
Infections
•
•
A rare viral disease common to Africa.
Signs and symptoms are similar to
those of small pox.
There is no specific treatment.
Monkeypox
Virus
•
Characteristics
Infection
Insect and Animal Borne
Infections
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•
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Anthrax
Smallpox
Botulism
Tularemia
Bio-terror Threats
Severe Acute
Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS)
New Infectious Threats
Urinary Tract Infections
Urethritis
Cystitis
Pyelonephritis
Vaginal Infections
Trichomoniasis
Candidiasis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Reproductive and
Urinary Tract Infections
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Eat a balanced diet.
Avoid fatty foods.
Get enough sleep.
Exercise regularly.
Don’t smoke.
Control your alcohol intake.
Wash your hands frequently.
Don’t share food, drinks, silverware or glasses.
Spend as little time as possible in crowds.
Use tissues rather than handkerchiefs.
Avoid irritating air pollutants.
The Best Overall Defense
The End