MCB 3020C Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Opportunistic Infection, Streptococcal Pharyngitis, Respiratory Tract
Document Summary
The microbes we have now are there so they can stop the harmful microbes getting overpopulated. Such as asymptomatic carriers, animals, environmental sources, etc. Latent infections: infections that go from symptomatic to asymptomatic but later become symptomatic again. Primary versus secondary infection: infection caused by one pathogen, then its followed by a secondary infection cause by a second pathogen. The patient is not aware that he has the disease because there are no symptoms showing. Fomite: objects that can transmit microbes such as hospital equipment and drinking utensils. Parasites: organisms that live on or in a host and cause damage. Pathogenic vs non-pathogenic: some organisms are pathogenic whereas some others are not, streptococcus pyogenes is a pathogen because it causes strep throat, candida albicans - a commensal; causes no damage. But if the host defense is weakened it becomes an opportunistic pathogen (takes advantage of the weak immune system)
