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16.E: Disease and Epidemiology (Exercises)

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    78113
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    16.1: The Language of Epidemiologists

    The field of epidemiology concerns the geographical distribution and timing of infectious disease occurrences and how they are transmitted and maintained in nature, with the goal of recognizing and controlling outbreaks. The science of epidemiology includes etiology (the study of the causes of disease) and investigation of disease transmission (mechanisms by which a disease is spread).

    Matching

    Match each term with its description.

    ___sporadic disease A. the number of disease cases per 100,000 individuals
    ___endemic disease B. a disease in higher than expected numbers around the world
    ___pandemic disease C. the number of deaths from a disease for every 10,000 individuals
    ___morbidity rate D. a disease found occasionally in a region with cases occurring mainly in isolation from each other
    ___mortality rate E. a disease found regularly in a region
    Answer

    D, E, B, A, C

    Fill in the Blank

    The ________ collects data and conducts epidemiologic studies in the United States.

    Answer

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC

    Short Answer

    During an epidemic, why might the prevalence of a disease at a particular time not be equal to the sum of the incidences of the disease?

    In what publication would you find data on emerging/reemerging diseases in the United States?

    Critical Thinking

    Why might an epidemiological population in a state not be the same size as the number of people in a state? Use an example.

    16.2: Tracking Infectious Diseases

    Some important researchers, such as Florence Nightingale, subscribed to the miasma hypothesis. The transition to acceptance of the germ theory during the 19th century provided a solid mechanistic grounding to the study of disease patterns. The studies of 19th century physicians and researchers such as John Snow, Florence Nightingale, Ignaz Semmelweis, Joseph Lister, Robert Koch, Louis Pasteur, and others sowed the seeds of modern epidemiology.

    Matching

    Match each type of epidemiology study with its description.

    ___experimental A. examination of past case histories and medical test results conducted on patients in an outbreak
    ___analytical B. examination of current case histories, interviews with patients and their contacts, interpretation of medical test results; frequently conducted while outbreak is still in progress
    ___prospective C. use of a set of test subjects (human or animal) and control subjects that are treated the same as the test subjects except for the specific treatment being studied
    ___descriptive D. observing groups of individuals to look for associations with disease
    ___retrospective E. a comparison of a cohort of individuals through the course of the study
    Answer

    C, D, E, B, A

    Match each pioneer of epidemiology with his or her contribution.

    ___Florence Nightingale A. determined the source of a cholera outbreak in London
    ___Robert Koch B. showed that surgical wound infection rates could be dramatically reduced by using carbolic acid to disinfect surgical tools, bandages, and surgical sites
    ___Joseph Lister C. compiled data on causes of mortality in soldiers, leading to innovations in military medical care
    ___John Snow D. developed a methodology for conclusively determining the etiology of disease
    Answer

    C, D, B, A

    Fill in the Blank

    ________occurs when an infected individual passes the infection on to other individuals, who pass it on to still others, increasing the penetration of the infection into the susceptible population.

    Answer

    Propagated spread

    A batch of food contaminated with botulism exotoxin, consumed at a family reunion by most of the members of a family, would be an example of a ________ outbreak.

    Answer

    point source

    Short Answer

    What activity did John Snow conduct, other than mapping, that contemporary epidemiologists also use when trying to understand how to control a disease?

    16.3: How Diseases Spread

    Pathogens often have elaborate adaptations to exploit host biology, behavior, and ecology to live in and move between hosts. Hosts have evolved defenses against pathogens, but because their rates of evolution are typically slower than their pathogens (because their generation times are longer), hosts are usually at an evolutionary disadvantage. This section will explore where pathogens survive—both inside and outside hosts—and some of the many ways they move from one host to another.

    Multiple Choice

    Which is the most common type of biological vector of human disease?

    1. viruses
    2. bacteria
    3. mammals
    4. arthropods
    Answer

    D

    A mosquito bites a person who subsequently develops a fever and abdominal rash. What type of transmission would this be?

    1. mechanical vector transmission
    2. biological vector transmission
    3. direct contact transmission
    4. vehicle transmission
    Answer

    B

    Cattle are allowed to pasture in a field that contains the farmhouse well, and the farmer’s family becomes ill with a gastrointestinal pathogen after drinking the water. What type of transmission of infectious agents would this be?

    1. biological vector transmission
    2. direct contact transmission
    3. indirect contact transmission
    4. vehicle transmission
    Answer

    D

    A blanket from a child with chickenpox is likely to be contaminated with the virus that causes chickenpox (Varicella-zoster virus). What is the blanket called?

    1. fomite
    2. host
    3. pathogen
    4. vector
    Answer

    A

    Fill in the Blank

    A patient in the hospital with a urinary catheter develops a bladder infection. This is an example of a(n) ________ infection.

    Answer

    nosocomial or healthcare-associated

    A ________ is an animal that can transfer infectious pathogens from one host to another.

    Answer

    vector

    Short Answer

    Differentiate between droplet vehicle transmission and airborne transmission.

    Critical Thinking

    Many people find that they become ill with a cold after traveling by airplane. The air circulation systems of commercial aircraft use HEPA filters that should remove any infectious agents that pass through them. What are the possible reasons for increased incidence of colds after flights?

    16.4: Global Public Health

    A large number of international programs and agencies are involved in efforts to promote global public health. Among their goals are developing infrastructure in health care, public sanitation, and public health capacity; monitoring infectious disease occurrences around the world; coordinating communications between national public health agencies in various countries; and coordinating international responses to major health crises.

    Multiple Choice

    Which of the following would NOT be considered an emerging disease?

    1. Ebola hemorrhagic fever
    2. West Nile virus fever/encephalitis
    3. Zika virus disease
    4. Tuberculosis
    Answer

    D

    Which of the following would NOT be considered a reemerging disease?

    1. Drug-resistant tuberculosis
    2. Drug-resistant gonorrhea
    3. Malaria
    4. West Nile virus fever/encephalitis
    Answer

    D

    Which of the following factors can lead to reemergence of a disease?

    1. A mutation that allows it to infect humans
    2. A period of decline in vaccination rates
    3. A change in disease reporting procedures
    4. Better education on the signs and symptoms of the disease
    Answer

    B

    Why are emerging diseases with very few cases the focus of intense scrutiny?

    1. They tend to be more deadly
    2. They are increasing and therefore not controlled
    3. They naturally have higher transmission rates
    4. They occur more in developed countries
    Answer

    B

    Fill in the Blank

    The ________ collects data and conducts epidemiologic studies at the global level.

    Answer

    WHO (World Health Organization)

    Critical Thinking

    An Atlantic crossing by boat from England to New England took 60–80 days in the 18th century. In the late 19th century the voyage took less than a week. How do you think these time differences for travel might have impacted the spread of infectious diseases from Europe to the Americas, or vice versa?


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