Cholera
Cholera: Gastrointestinal infection caused by vibrio cholerae (Gram negative rod); transmission through consumption of contaminated drinking water or food
Classification of Antibacterial Agents
Classification of Antibacterial Agents
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by two different yeast species, that usually manifests as meningitis or pneumonia; cryptococcus neoformans meningitis is an AIDS defining illness
Cytomegalovirus in the Critically Ill
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a human herpesvirus (HHV) that rarely causes significant disease in immunocompetent people but is an important cause of illness in the immunocompromised
Definitions in Infectious Diseases
DEFINITIONS Bacteria = single celled prokaryotic organism. Eukaryote = organism that possess a cell nucleus and other organelles. Fungi = eukaryotic organisms that absorb their food from other living or dead organisms. Parasite = an organism that grows, feeds, and…
Ebola virus
Ebola virus is an extremely infectious and highly pathogenic virus of primates that causes Ebola virus disease; the term Ebola haemorrhagic fever is no longer used by WHO as haemorrhage is not a consistent feature of the disease; the first cases were identified in 1976 in the Congo (near the Ebola River) and in Sudan
Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is endorsed by the WHO as the single most important element of strategies to preventing healthcare associated infection (HAI). It is the responsibility of every healthcare worker
Handwashing in ICU
Handwashing in ICU: nosocomial infection associated with -> increased health costs -> increased morbidity and mortality
Healthcare Associated Infections
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are infections acquired in healthcare facilities and infections that occur as a result of healthcare interventions, which may manifest after people leave the healthcare facility
HIV and AIDS
OVERVIEW HIV = retrovirus infection -> infection of T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+) and progressively destroys them -> immunosuppression 40 million patients in the world 2 types: HIV 1 and HIV 2 (West Africa) modes of transmission: sexual intercourse, mother to child…
Infectious Diseases Literature Summaries
Infectious Diseases Literature Summaries
Influenza
OVERVIEW caused by influenza A and B viruses CLINICAL FEATURES fever (>38 C)+/- one systemic symptoms (myalgia)+/- one respiratory symptoms-> 70% chance of having influenza INVESTIGATIONS nasopharyneal viral swab MANAGEMENT Active Treatment neuraminidase inhibitors are of no benefit unless started…