Module 1:

Introduction to Health
and Disease
Basics – how lifestyle can impact health and disease

Pathology = the reason to why the diseases effects

occur on a diagnostic and forensic grounds

We’re going to cover:

 Body functions at a chemical and molecular level
to cellular system, organ and system level
 Impact of homeostatic control mechanisms
 Relationship between pathophysiological changes
to structure and function of the body systems
 Courses of morbidity, mortality and sickness
absence
 Inter-relationships between specific health issues
and how they impact homeostatic control and the
result of symptoms
 Epidemiology deals with chance, distributions and
possible control of disease. All regulating to health
 Prevention strategies
 Physiological and biochemical basis of
current/possible future therapies
 Monday 23/09/19

Introduction to microbiology
Starter:
Infectious diseases –
 Malaria
 Respiratory infections
 Tapeworm infection
 HIV/AIDs
 Meningitis
 Diarrhoeal diseases
 MRSA/Ringworm
 Labs
Non-infectious diseases:
 Dementias and mental health
 Cardiovascular disease and stroke
 Crohn’s disease and coeliac disease
 Arthritis
 COPD
 Eczema and diabetes cancer
 Labs
What are the system?
Musculoskeletal system:
- Pork tapeworm
- Arthritis
Circulatory system:
- Malaria
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
- Stroke
Digestive system:
- Diarrhoeal
- Crohn’s / Coeliac disease
Respiratory system:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Respiratory tract infection (RTI)
Nervous system:
- Meningitis
- Dementia
- Mental health

Integumentary system/endocrine:
- MRSA
- Ringworm
- Diabetes
- Eczema
Global health disease:
- HIV
- AIDS
- Cancer
Introduction to microbiology
- Infectious disease classification
- History of microbiology and introduction to clinical pathology
Defining microbiology:
- Scientific study of micro-organisms
- Branch of biology dealing with structure, functions, uses and modes of
existence of microscopic organisms
- Study of organisms that are too small to be seen by the naked eye
(microscope)
Infectious disease classification:

Factors which affect the likelihood of infection:

• Nature and number of contaminating micro-organisms

• If critical number exceeded  infection!

• Entry into host; correct environment; nutrients

• The interaction of the microbes with the host

• Age of patient
• Susceptibility of patient
• Genetics
• Host defences
A microorganism alone cannot cause disease, no matter how virulent, in the
absence of a suitable host”
History of microbiology and the introduction to pathology
Typhoid Mary:
What did you learn from this true story?
I understood that the conditions and
understanding during this period of time was
irrational. For example arresting a women
due to her health condition, is unfair. Also the
medics instead of containing her and making
her feel isolated should have been prompt to
find a cure and a reason/possibility as to why
she had the disease and hasn’t died yet. Also
how she would spread the disease to the
other families. The way the media handled
this case was inappropriate as her
confidentiality was not put in place.

Example of Clinical Pathology:

Food Poising
Definition- Poisoning from eating contaminated food or ingesting poisonous
chemicals, fungi.
Aetiology (cause) - Microbes: often bacteria (e.g. Campylobacter, Salmonella,
Staph. spp. Clostridia); protozoa, viruses
Signs & Symptoms- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdo. Pain, (fever,
headache)
Pathophysiology- Penetrate mucosa and proliferate; production of exotoxins?
Risk factors- Age: elderly, young, pregnant women; immune status; conditions;
travelling
Investigations (tests) - Stool sample; detailed history and physical exam, blood
test, culture/microscopy
Treatment (management) - Preventative measures/good hygiene, bed rest,
drink water, electrolytes? Antibiotics?
Epidemiology- All ages and both sexes; UK stats – ~500,000 cases/year