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Module 2 - Infectious Process
Module 2 - Infectious Process
Microorganisms Symbiosis
Microbes – very small organisms to be seen by the Pathogens – microorganism that cause diseases,
unaided eye but not all microbes are pathogenic, some are even
Could be transmitted thru air, water, food, clothing beneficial to man
and even hospital and laboratory equipment Normal Flora or Microbiota – bacteria that do not
Fomites – inanimate objects that could transmit cause disease
microorganism When microbes find their way inside of our body
Invention of microscope – these microorganisms that is when infection happens and as a result our
were better understood and were categorized as body suffers from a disease or a dis-comfort.
one of the causes of acquired diseases
Several important personalities such as: Some relationships between microbes and the host:
a. Anton van Leeuwenhoek 1. Mutualism
- came up with functional microscope - microbe and host are both benefited
- combined the power of two lenses - eg. Lactobacilli in the intestines synthesizes
- first to described blood cells Vitamins K and B
Entry of microbes is thru portals of entry and these are: Community Acquire Infection
broken skin if the infection occurs before 48 hours and was not
intact skin via percutaneous injections and acquired from the hospital environment
vectors
mouth via ingestion A. Classification of Infection according to Severity
nose via inhalation 1. Acute
genitals via sexual intercourse - occurs for a short time but the disease is
rapid and severe
C. Host - seen in most hospital patients or
1. Susceptible Host – Infection or entry of emergency room
microbes to the body and having a disease. - Examples: SARS, COVID
2. Resistant Host – able to shun away the ill
effects of the presence of microbes and the 2. Chronic
products that they produce to cause disease - occurs for a long time but milder and long
lasting
- Examples: MTB, Leprosy
DISEASE GROWTH
Once microbes gain entry to the body it will have to 3. Latent
find its comfort zone and attach itself to be able to - microbes are inactive but gets active to
acquire nutrients and to multiply. cause a disease after some times
- Example: Syphilis
Stages in the disease process:
1. Prodromal / Incubation Period B. According to Host Involvement
- interval from infection to the first signs and 1. Localized
symptoms - occurring in a small area
- eg. COVID – 14 days - Example: Boil
3. Focal
- from a specific point spreading to other
parts
- Example: Abscess in tooth causing tonsillitis
C. According to Occurrence
1. Sporadic
- Occasional (particular time); only few
people are affected
- Example: leprosy
2. Endemic
- constantly present in a small number of
population
- Example: diarrhea
3. Epidemic
- occurs for a short time but to a great
number of population
- in epidemiology there have a certain
number of people who are affected in order
for it to be called epidemic
- Examples: measles, diphtheria, cholera
4. Pandemic
- Worldwide
- Examples: asian flu, SARS, AIDS, CoVid-19
Communicable Disease
illness due to the transmission of the products of an
etiologic agent or reservoir to a susceptible host
directly or indirectly
Example: TB
Contagious Disease
illness due to direct transmission of etiologic agent
from reservoir to susceptible host
Example: meningococcemia