ARISE INFECTIOUS DISEASE PROJECT
INFECTIONS
What is an infection?
Have you ever wondered why in certain seasons, you get sick while others don't? How did you contract the illness in the first place? In order to answer these questions , we must understand how diseases and infections spread. To do this, I will begin by defining the following terms. A pathogen is a microorganism that can cause diseases. Susceptible means to be likely of contracting. A host is an organism that carries the disease. Lastly, a disease is a disorder of a function, especially one that shows signs of symptoms. Bacteria and viruses diseases are completely different from one another. On one hand, Viruses need a host to survive, it can only have either DNA or RNA and it cannot reproduce unless it is attached to the host. Bacteria on the other hand, is alive and can live on its own without a host. In addition, it can also reproduce by itself, and have both types of genetic material, DNA and RNA.
There are 4 different types of infection, Endogenous, Exogenous, Nosocomial, and Opportunistic. Endogenous infections or diseases are ones that originate within the body. Exogenous infections are located outside the body. Nosocomial infections are acquired by an individual in a healthcare facility, usually transmitted by health care worker to the patients. Lastly, Opportunistic infections occur when the body's defenses are weak.
Chain of Infection
There are 6 main parts for the chain of infection which is are conditions that must exist for disease to occur and spread. First, is the causative agent, which is the pathogen such as bacteria or a virus that can cause disease. Next, is the Reservoir, which is the place where the causative agent can live. Common reservoirs include, the human body, animals, environments, and fomites (non living objects like cups, door knobs, needles etc.) After that, the portal of exit is the way a causative agent can leave the reservoir. Portals of exit can be urine, feces, saliva, tears, mucous discharge, sexual secretions and wounds. Then, it's the mode of transmission, it is the way a pathogen can be transmitted to a host which can be from sex, saliva/kissing, or handshakes/touching. In addition, pathogens can also be transmitted from indirect contact (contaminated substances) like food, soil, insects, and animals. After that, the portal of entry is the way the causative agent can enter a new host, examples can be breaks in the skin, Respiratory tract, digestive tract and Genitourinary tract. Finally, there's the susceptible host which is an individual who can contract the disease. Humans can become susceptible if large numbers of pathogens enter their bodies or if body defenses are weak. The process then starts all over again and repeats itself on new hosts.
Sources:
Infectious Disease and Chain of Infection Lecture Ms Lieu, December 5, 2018
PATHOGEN
Human Papillomavirus
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a single celled DNA virus that can infect the skin. It's circular, with a fuzzy texture and is has a similar shape to an animal cell. The mode of transmission is through sexual contact and in some cases can be from a mother to her child during birth. There are around 200 different types of HPV and about 40 kinds can affect your genital area. Once contracting the virus, it particularly effects genitals and the skin surrounding the area.
Though the virus is very common, and can sometimes go away on it's own, some types of HPV can lead to genital warts or certain types of cancer. The incubation period is usually around 2 weeks to 8 months and the infection can last within 2 years. Symptoms can include genital warts, common warts, plantar warts and flat warts. In certain cases of HPV, the infection can later lead to cervical cancer.
Sources:
“HPV Infection.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 19 Oct. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hpv-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20351596.
Parenthood, Planned. “What Is HPV & How Do You Get It?” Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv.
IMMUNE RESPONSE
How does our immune system fight against HPV?
Though the immune system does not fight back using tears, fevers coughs, sneezes, it fights back against HPV using other ways. The main way we fight against infections are antibodies. They are proteins that the immune system makes to fight off viruses or bacteria. Antibodies like white blood cells, b cells and t cells, which are cells that help destroy and kill off any bacteria or virus, sometimes can't recognize certain types of HPV. The virus is easily able at times to blend in with our bodies. This makes it incredibly difficult for our immune system to fight against the infection. Despite, the difficulties, our bodies effectively fight off most types of HPV.
Sources
Stanley, M. “Immune Responses to Human Papillomavirus.” Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Mar. 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16219398.
DEFENSES AVAILIBLE
Fortunately, there is a preventative vaccine for HPV. It is recommended to people from ages 9 - 45 years old in a series of shots so it is most effective. On the other hand, the vaccine cannot be taken after contracting the infection. At times, children can contract the disease but won't be able to treat it since there is not cure for HPV yet found. Behaviors to help avoid the infection entirely, is to not unprotected sexual contact. If you are infected, there isn't a cure or medicine for HPV, but there are treatments to prevent high risk HPV which can cause cancer in some cases. This includes colposcopy, loop electrosurgical excision procedure, and cryotherapy, which are all procedure in which can treat high risk HPV.
Sources
Parenthood, Planned. “Where Can I Get Treated For HPV? | Treatment Info.” Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv/how-hpv-treated.
Parenthood, Planned. “HPV Vaccine | What Is the HPV Vaccination.” Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv/should-i-get-hpv-vaccine.