Infectious Diseases and Global Health Overview questions and answers

Infectious Diseases and Global Health
Overview questions and answers
Infectious Diseases - ✅✅Illnesses caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) that can
spread between individuals.



Enteric Infection - ✅✅An infection of the intestines, often spread through contaminated food or
water.



Gastroenteritis - ✅✅Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, causing diarrhea, vomiting, and
cramps.



Diarrhea - ✅✅Frequent, loose or watery bowel movements, often a symptom of infection.



Dehydration - ✅✅Excessive loss of water from the body, which can be life-threatening when severe.



Rotavirus - ✅✅A leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide.



Norovirus - ✅✅A virus causing sudden-onset diarrhea and vomiting, easily spread in crowded spaces.



Cholera - ✅✅A bacterial infection causing profuse watery diarrhea and dehydration, spread via
contaminated water.



Food Intoxication - ✅✅Illness caused by consuming food contaminated with microbial toxins.



Carrier - ✅✅A person who harbors an infectious agent without symptoms but can transmit it to
others.



Dysentery - ✅✅Diarrhea containing blood and/or mucus, often caused by bacterial or parasitic
infections.

,Giardiasis - ✅✅Diarrhea-causing intestinal infection from the Giardia parasite, spread through
contaminated water.



Fecal-Oral Transmission - ✅✅Disease spread when pathogens in fecal matter are ingested, often due
to poor sanitation.



Fomite - ✅✅An object or surface that carries infectious agents, aiding transmission.



Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) - ✅✅Treatment involving a solution of salts and sugars to prevent
dehydration from diarrhea.



Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) - ✅✅A packet of glucose and electrolytes mixed with clean water for
rehydration.



Continued Feeding - ✅✅Ongoing nutrition during illness to maintain strength and recovery.



Acute - ✅✅Rapid onset and short duration of illness.



Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) - ✅✅A sudden infection affecting the respiratory tract, often viral or
bacterial.



Chronic - ✅✅Long-lasting or recurring illness.



Upper Respiratory Infection - ✅✅Infections of the nose, throat, or sinuses (e.g., common cold).



Strep Throat - ✅✅Bacterial throat infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria.



Lower Respiratory Infection (LRI) - ✅✅Infections of the lungs or lower airways (e.g., bronchitis,
pneumonia).

, Pneumonia - ✅✅Lung infection causing inflammation and fluid-filled alveoli.



Hypoxia - ✅✅Low oxygen levels in body tissues, a complication of respiratory illness.



Pneumococcus - ✅✅Bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae) that causes pneumonia and meningitis.



Hib - ✅✅Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacterium causing pneumonia, meningitis, and other
infections.



Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) - ✅✅A common virus causing respiratory infections, especially in
children.



Direct Transmission - ✅✅Spread of pathogens through close contact like touching or sneezing.



Indirect Transmission - ✅✅Spread through contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites).



Airborne Transmission - ✅✅Spread of pathogens through tiny particles suspended in the air.



Influenza - ✅✅A contagious respiratory viral infection with symptoms like fever, fatigue, and cough.



Antigen - ✅✅A foreign substance that triggers an immune response.



Antigenic Drift - ✅✅Small genetic changes in influenza viruses causing seasonal flu variation.



Antigenic Shift - ✅✅Major genetic changes in flu viruses that can cause pandemics.



Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - ✅✅Bird flu strain with severe effects in humans.