PERIODS OF DISEASE

• Periods of Disease:

  • Incubation period
  • Prodromal period
  • Period of illness
  • Period of decline
  • Period of convalescence
• Incubation period - pathogen begins multiplying in the host and patient is unaware that a disease is beginning to develop
• Prodromal period - pathogen continues to multiply and host begins to experience general signs and symptoms of illness that are too general to indicate a particular disease
• Period of illness - stage when the signs and symptoms of disease are most obvious and severe
• Period of decline - number of pathogen particles decrease and symptoms begin to decline yet patients may become susceptible to developing secondary infections due to their weakened immune system
• Period of Convalescence - patient generally returns to normal functions, although some disease may inflict permanent damage that the body cannot fully repair
• Antiseptics - reduces risk of infection by applying it to living tissue/skin
• Disinfectants - destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects
• Antibiotics - called prophylactic when given as prevention rather than as treatment of infection
• Most Common Communicable Diseases:

  • Common cold
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Pink eye
  • Gonorrhea
  • Hepatitis
  • Whooping cough
  • HIV/AIDS