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Terminology
Terminologies used in
Epidemiology
Virulence
Host
Vector (source)
Reservoir
Infection
Contamination
Infestation
Contagious disease
Epidemic
Endemic
Hyperendemic
Holoendemic
Pandemic
Exotic
Sporadic
Primary/secondary cases
Zoonosis, epizootic and
enzootic
Nosocomial infection
Opportunistic infection
Eradication
Elimination
Infection
Terminology (cont.)
Incubation period
Infectivity period
Serial interval
Latent period
Contamination
Infestation
12/10/2015
Contagious disease
A contagious disease is the one that is
transmitted through contact. Examples
include scabies, trachoma, STD and leprosy.
Vector of infection
An insect or any living carrier that transports an
infectious agent from an infected individual or its
wastes to a susceptible individual or its food or
immediate surroundings. Both biological and
mechanical transmissions are encountered.
Host
A person or an animal that affords subsistence or
lodgement to an infectious agent under natural
conditions. Types include: an obligate host : only
host man in measles, definitive (primary) host or
the final host in which the parasite reaches sexual
maturity, intermediate host in which larval or
asexual stage eg. Dracunculiasis or guinea worm
disease intermediate host cyclops, man definitive
host and a transport host.
Reservoir
Any person, animal, arthropod, plant, soil, or
substance, or a combination of these, in which an
infectious agent normally lives and multiplies, on
which it depends primarily for survival, and
where it reproduces itself in such a manner that
it can be transmitted to a susceptible host. It is
the natural habitat of the infectious agent.
Epidemic
Endemic
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Sporadic
Zoonoses
Nosocomial infections
Nosocomial (hospital acquired) infection is an
infection originating in a patient while in a
hospital or another health care facility. It has
to be a new disorder unrelated to the
patients primary condition. Examples include
infection of surgical wounds, hepatitis B and
urinary tract infetions.
12/10/2015
Opportunistic infection
This is infection by organisms that take the
opportunity provided by a defect in host defense
(e.g. immunity) to infect the host and thus cause
disease. For example, opportunistic infections are
very common in AIDS. Organisms include Herpes
simplex, cytomegalovirus, M. tuberculosis
Virulence
Case
A person in the population or study group
identified as having the particular disease,
health condition or condition under
investigation.
Case ..
Primary case: First case of a communicable
disease introduced into the population unit
being studied.
Index case: First case to come to the attention of
the investigator, it is not always the primary case
Secondary cases: the cases which are developing
from contact with primary case.
12/10/2015
Screening
The early detection of
disease
precursors of disease
susceptibility to disease
Definition of Screening
The process by which unrecognized disease or defects
are identified by test that can be applied rapidly on a
large scale. Screening sorts out healthy people from
those who may have a disease.
The presumptive identification of unrecognized disease
or defects by the application of tests, examinations, or
other procedures, which can be applied rapidly. (US
commission on a chronic illness, 1957)
Medical investigation which does not arise from a
patients request for advice for a specific
complaint.(Mckeown, 1968)