Infectious Diseases: Understanding Microbes, Transmission, and Immunity
1. What Should Be Said to Treat Infectious Diseases in Countries Unable to Take Action?
Developed countries must show solidarity with those who cannot take action. It’s concerning that many developed nations prioritize their own spending over aiding countries in need.
2. What Is a Microbe? What Is an Antibiotic?
A microbe, or microorganism, is a living organism too small to be seen with the naked eye. Microbes are individual entities with a basic biological organization, unlike plants and animals. Most are unicellular, but some can be multinucleated or multicellular. An antibiotic is a chemical substance, either produced by a living organism or synthetically derived, that can kill or inhibit the growth of certain sensitive microorganisms at low concentrations.
3. Briefly Explain Pasteur’s Importance to Medicine.
Louis Pasteur was a French chemist whose discoveries were enormously important in various fields of natural science, especially chemistry and microbiology. He developed the technique known as pasteurization. He demonstrated that fermentation and organic decomposition are caused by living organisms and that the growth of microorganisms in nutrient broth is not due to spontaneous generation.
4. What Is an Emerging Disease? Why Are There Emerging Diseases Now? Cite Some Examples.
An emerging disease is a type of infectious disease that appears in specific times and places and becomes, or threatens to become, a new epidemic. Increased global trade and travel contribute to the spread of diseases across borders. An example is avian influenza (bird flu).
5. Indicate a Disease Caused by a Virus and Explain Briefly.
The chickenpox virus and the herpes simplex virus can remain dormant in the body’s cells and cause multiple episodes of illness, even years after the initial infection.
6. Indicate a Disease Caused by Bacteria and Explain Briefly.
The toxin produced by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae causes an increased secretion of chloride ions and water in the intestine, leading to watery diarrhea and abdominal pain. This infection, known as cholera, is acquired by ingesting food and water contaminated with fecal waste.
7. Indicate a Disease Caused by a Protozoan and Explain Briefly.
Coccidia are unicellular organisms (protozoa) that are round to oval, measuring between 15 and 30 microns in longitudinal diameter, depending on the species. They live as parasites in the intestinal wall, ingesting cells and liquid nutrients, ultimately destroying them.
8. What Is a Reemerging Disease? Why Are They Coming Back Now? Cite Some Examples and Explain How They Occur.
Reemerging diseases are those that were previously present but did not cause significant deaths or show signs of spreading until they reappear, regaining endemic proportions. They may reemerge due to factors like waning immunity, changes in public health practices, or environmental changes.
9. In Sex With Someone We Do Not Know Is Infected With HIV, Are There Practices That Involve Risk and Others That Do Not?
Most sexual practices carry some risk of HIV transmission. However, using a condom can significantly reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
10. State a Disease Caused by a Fungus and Explain Briefly.
Candida albicans is a fungus that normally resides harmlessly in the digestive tract and vaginal area. However, it can cause infection (candidiasis) when the skin is damaged, in hot and humid conditions, or when the immune system is weakened. Antibiotics can also contribute to the overgrowth of this fungus by destroying beneficial bacteria.
11. What Is a Prion? Explain a Disease Caused by Prions.
A prion is an infectious agent composed of a misfolded protein. These proteins were initially beneficial but ultimately transformed into a pathogenic form. Prions can cause diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease).
12. Explain Direct and Indirect Transmission of a Microorganism.
Direct transmission can occur through skin wounds or burns, allowing pathogens to penetrate and cause disease. Indirect transmission can happen through contaminated food or water. For example, contaminated food can cause diseases like salmonellosis.
13. What Can Be Said For and Against Patents on Drugs?
Arguments for patents on drugs are limited. The existence of patents can be seen as problematic. However, the availability of generic drugs has somewhat improved the situation.
14. What Is the Immune System and Its Functions?
The immune system is a network of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and eliminating pathogens and tumor cells.
15. Explain an External Innate Mechanism We Have Against Infections.
Sweating is a clear example of an external innate defense mechanism. Sweating helps regulate body temperature during exercise, preventing an unhealthy rise in body temperature.
16. What Do We Mean When We Describe Our Immune System With the Word”Memor”?
When the immune system encounters an infection or disease, it”remember” the effects and the causative agent. This means that the next time the same pathogen is encountered, the immune system can mount a stronger and faster response. This is known as immunological memory, which is”adaptiv” because it develops throughout an individual’s lifetime as an adaptation to infections. Immunological memory can be either passive or active and can be short-term or long-term.
17. What Type of Immunity Can You Have After Having Had a Disease?
After recovering from a disease, the body develops acquired immunity. The immune system will be better prepared to fight off the same infection in the future.
18. Where Is the Immune System Located in Our Body?
Immune system cells are distributed throughout the entire body.
19. Why Are There No Vaccines Against Malaria, Ebola, and Other Diseases Affecting the Third World?
The lack of vaccines for diseases primarily affecting developing countries is often attributed to the reluctance of developed countries to invest in research and development for these diseases, as they may perceive it as not being in their direct interest.