...Diagnosis Of An Infected Patient Excelsior College Abstract Bacteria can invade the body at any time. In this paper you will learn about three kinds of bacteria: Bacillus, Escherichia, and Mycoplasma. The anatomy of each will be mentioned and you will learn about the gram stain process. By the end of this paper you will be able to tell which bacterium has infected the patients’ sputum and is causing the patient to be sick. A sputum sample from an infected patient that may be contaminated with bacterium from the following: Bacillus, Escherichia, or Mycoplasma will be reviewed. The anatomy and differences of each bacterium will be mentioned; the staining protocols to identify each of the genera and how to eliminate each as a suspect. Each of the genera mentioned are considered to be a prokaryotic cell. “Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-enclosed organelles” (Tortora, 2013 pg. 79). Cell walls can be made up of polysaccharide, polypeptide, or both which allow the cell to hold a shape. Gram-positive “consists of many layers of peptidoglycan, forming a thick, rigid structure” (Tortora, 2013 pg. 84) whereas gram-negative only has a thin layer. These cells can divide by binary fission (“DNA is copied, and the cell splits into two” (Tortora, 2013 pg. 76)). “If the substance is organized and is firmly attached to the cell wall, the glycolax is described as a capsule” (Tortora, 2013 pg.80). Capsules allow for the cell to not be destroyed by phagocytosis...
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...“TOXOPLASMOSIS” (toxoplasma gondii) Definition: Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The infection is most commonly acquired from contact with cats and their feces or with raw or undercooked meat. Causative Agent: Toxoplasma Gondii, protozoan Means of Transmission: Orally and congenitally Reservoirs: Cats (preferred reservoir), birds and mammals (intermediate host), Humans (intermediate host) Diagnosis: "Fecal exams [in cats] are essentially useless, since the eggs they shed are only present in the feces for the first 2-3 weeks" (1). "The current lab test only indicates exposure to toxoplasmosis not the presence of an active infection." (1). "The history, signs of illness, and the supportive laboratory tests" will lead to a diagnosis (2). "A presumptive diagnosis may be made by demonstration of a fourfold or greater increase in antibody titers" (2). The uses of ELISA, western blot and latex agglutination tests have reliable results (4). Mainly the only people that really need to be tested for this disease are AIDS patients, immunosuppressed, and infants at birth. Symptoms: "Respiratory involvement is common in cats with both primary and secondary forms of the disease" (1). Fever, malaise, weight loss, and lack of appetite are common symptoms of this form (1). You have these symptoms in addition to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal lymph node enlargement (1). Signs of Disease: The disease can become latent. All...
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...isolated by the late Karl J. Erbeth in 1880. It is a multi-organ pathogen that inhabits the lymphatic tissues of the small intestine, liver spleen, and bloodstream of the infected humans. It is most common in third world developing countries and it is not known to infect animals. My diagnosis for Tony is that he is suffering from typhoid fever. Tony’s feeling of weakness, severe stomach pain, headache, loss of appetite, ‘pea soup’ diarrhea, and high temperature lead me to that diagnosis. The symptoms of typhoid fever can be either severe or mild and most people show symptoms anywhere from one to three weeks after initial exposure. Although in a small percentage of patients, called carriers, infected with typhoid fever, the organism could be harbored asymptomatically in the gall bladder sloughed in the feces for over a year. Patients develop most of their symptoms when the organism reenters their bloodstream. The bacteria then invades the gallbladder, biliary system, and the lymphatic tissue of the bowel where it can multiply in high numbers. The bacteria then passes into the intestinal tract and can be positively identified for diagnosis in cultures from the patients stool sample. People become infected with typhoid fever after eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected or by drinking water that has been contaminated by sewage containing the bacteria. Once the bacteria enters the person’s body they multiply and...
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...sexually transmitted infection, but has a host of additional vectors. This virus is also be transmitted via contact with blood that contains the virus, transferred during pregnancy from mother to fetus, during childbirth, and breast-feeding. The virus can also be transmitted via intravenous needle sharing (Mayo; 2012). HIV damages the host’s immune system, ultimately interfering with the body’s natural defenses to fight infections that cause disease. In many cases, the infected individual goes years without the knowledge of being infected. Populations at higher risk for acquiring/transmitting HIV are primarily men who have sexual intercourse with other men (MSM). The group most seriously affected by the disease are young black/African American MSM. Left untreated, HIV will progress into AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), in which complete failure of the immune system occurs, placing the host at fatally high risk for infection. Most recent statistics on HIV are staggering at best, with an estimated 1.144m persons in America alone age thirteen and older are currently living with HIV, including an estimated 181k who are unaware of the presence of infection (CDC; 2013). In the most recent decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of people living with HIV, largely in part to new medications slowing the progression of the disease. Although the estimated new cases has remained relatively constant in recent years (approximately fifty-thousand new cases reported...
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...is that by the end of 2007 the number of persons living with HIV worldwide was approximately 33.2 million (Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control, 2008). Furthermore, closer to home, an approximate a million of people in the United States have been living with this disease at the end of 2003. If these numbers were not alarming enough and indicative that HIV and AIDS remains a serious epidemic consider the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control (2008), one of the largest global campaign groups to help the fight against the spread of HIV, report that “As many as 25% of infected persons are unaware of their infection” (para.4). Between the United States and the District of Columbia, from 1981 through 2006, nearly 1 million people received a diagnosis of full blown AIDS and more than 50% of those cases have resulted in death (Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control, 2008). These numbers should be alarming; they should also instill a feeling of urgency to every person inhabiting the planet to gain better understanding of the HIV virus and AIDS. The first thing important to understand is that HIV and AIDS are not the same. HIV is a retrovirus which causes the development of AIDS. By infecting the bodies T4 helper cells the virus messes up their immune system that leaves the person that is infected helpless from other infections and tumors. If that person has a count of their T4 and it is below...
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...likely, the term was first used by Dr. Francisco Torti, Italy, when people thought the disease was caused by foul air in marshy areas. It was not until 1880 that scientists discovered that malaria was a parasitic disease which is transmitted by the anopheles mosquito. The mosquito infects the host with a one-cell parasite called plasmodium. Not long after they found out that Malaria is transmitted from human-to-human through the bite of the female mosquito, which needs blood for her eggs. According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, Malaria is "A disease caused by the presence of the sporozoan Plasmodium in human or other vertebrate erythrocytes, usually transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected female mosquito of the genus Anopheles that previously sucked blood from a person with malaria…" (Click here to see the complete definition in the dictionary). Malaria is also known as Jungle fever, Marsh fever, Paludal fever Approximately 40% of the total global population is at risk of Malaria infection. During the 20th century the disease was effectively eliminated in the majority of non-tropical countries. Today Malaria causes over 350 million human acute illnesses, as well as at least one million deaths annually. The anopheles mosquito exists in most tropical and many sub-tropical countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. According to WHO (World Health Organization), the majority of Malaria deaths occur...
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...and natural habitat of Ebola virus remain unknown; however, on the basis of available evidence, and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the Ebola virus lives in an animal host that is native to the African continent. They continue to search for the exact animal. Just as scientists are unsure of the animal host for the Ebola virus, they are also unsure how an outbreak of Ebola virus occurs. Researchers have hypothesized that the first patient becomes infected with Ebola virus through contact with an infected animal. Causes of Ebola: Transmission Once Ebola virus infects the first human, scientists do know how Ebola virus is spread from human to human. Transmission of Ebola occurs through direct contact with patients who have Ebola, or their body fluids (such as blood or secretions). The spread of Ebola most often occurs during the late stages of an Ebola infection. When someone becomes infected with Ebola, he or she will not feel sick immediately. For 2 to 21 days, the person feels normal; however, inside his or her body, the Ebola virus is multiplying. This period between...
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...Thailand, 44150. 3 Infection Clinic, Roi Et Hospital, Roi Et Province, Thailand, 45000. 4 University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, Kansas, USA, 66160. Accepted 6 July, 2011 Few studies have focused on the processes in which patients reveal their HIV infection to others. This study sought to understand these processes. Thus, the research questions were: (a) What were their thoughts about the moment when patients learned that they were infected? (b) To whom and when did patients disclose that they were infected? (c) How did they disclose the information? (d) How much or what information did they disclose, and what were the reactions of those who were informed? (e) Why did they reveal the information? The descriptive study was done using a convenience sample of 45 patients with HIV/AIDS at a hospital clinic in northeastern Thailand. The results showed that 67% told a family member, usually their mother, within a day of being told about their HIV diagnosis from a medical staff. Most patients (65%) communicated the diagnosis face to face; only 4% used the telephone. Most patients disclosed the cause and source of infection; some also disclosed the location and time of infection and the current treatment. About half chose to tell family because family would likely take care of them when their symptoms...
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...Mononucleosis. It can also be spread through bodily fluids, especially direct person to person to person contact with saliva, sharing glasses, and other drink containers, eating utensils and toothbrushes. Symptoms of Mononucleosis? Symptoms of Mononucleosis usually appear 4 to 6 weeks after you get infected with the Epstein-Barr Virus. Symptoms of Mononucleosis may develop slowly and not all of them will occur at...
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...advanced symptoms occur around the painful infection site within three to four days of infection. They include: Swelling, possibly accompanied by a purplish rash. Large, violet-colored marks that transform into blisters filled with dark, foul-smelling fluid. Discoloration, peeling, and flakiness as tissue death (gangrene) occurs. Critical symptoms, which often occur within four to five days of infection, include: severe drop in blood pressure toxic shock unconsciousness HOW IS IT DIA GNOSED ? Necrotizing fasciitis progresses very rapidly, making early diagnosis crucial.Unfortunately, that does not always occur. The early symptoms of an infection with flesh-eating bacteria are similar to other conditions like the flu or a less serious skin infection. The early symptoms are also similar to common post-surgical complaints, such as: severe pain , inflammation , fever, and nausea. Diagnosis is often based on advanced symptoms, such as the presence of gas bubbles under the skin. Laboratory analysis of fluid and tissue samples is done to identify the particular bacteria that are causing the infection. Treatment, however, begins before the bacteria are identified. Household members and others who have had close contact with someone with necrotizing fasciitis should be evaluated if...
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...year-old woman, patient M, has been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis an infectious viral disease characterized by swelling of the lymph glands and prolonged lassitude by her GP. The diagnosis was confirmed by blood tests. Three weeks later she returned to her GP feeling very unwell. When examined she presented with symptoms of mild jaundice yellow discoloration of the skin caused by increase levels of billirubin. On examination there was tenderness in the right upper abdominal quadrant but the liver was not palpable. The GP took some blood and sent it for testing. Question 1 Discuss the typical laboratory results expected for haematological investigations in a case of infectiousHow is it used? The Monospot test is used to determine whether you have infectious mononucleosis. This test is rapid and easy to perform, but it is not 100% specific. More testing may be needed to confirm that the disease is mononucleosis and not another illness. ^ Back to top When is it requested? The Monospot test is requested if your doctor suspects that you have infectious mononucleosis, which causes fever, headache, swollen glands, tiredness, and malaise. Your healthcare professional may detect that you have an enlarged spleen or liver. The test will not be positive until you have been infected for about two weeks. Other tests may need to be requested if the heterophil antibodies are negative, but your doctor still suspects mononucleosis as the cause of your symptoms. Other blood...
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...relating to finding a cure for AIDS. These articles are very similar in results for finding an actual cure for AIDS, but up until this point there is no actual cure for AIDS. However, the information that I have conducted has indicated an antiretroviral treatment that can suppress HIV – the virus that causes AIDS – and the antiretroviral treatment can delay illness for many years. After reading many articles I found that there is many scams out their that are trying to sell a cure for AIDS, so if you have aids don’t fall for these misleading they don’t work. Many people that are infected with this deadly virus don’t even know that they are infected. Many people don’t even develop symptoms after they first get infected with HIV. Others on the other hand tend to get very sick. The person will have flu – like illness within several days even to weeks after they have been exposed to the virus. The infected person will start to complain that they have a fever, headache, tiredness, and enlarged lymph nodes on their neck. These symptoms tend to go away by themselves after a few weeks. . This asymptomatic phase often lasts for years. The progression of this disease can vary among each individual, and this state can last for a few months to more than ten years. A CURE FOR AIDS There is no cure for AIDS or the HIV infection as of today. Although antiretroviral treatment can help suppress HIV; the virus that is known to cause AIDS, and this antiretroviral treatment will slow down symptoms...
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...psychosocially at different speeds depending on the biological processes and environmental interactions. People living with HIVAIDS have specific psycho social issues they deal with. It is important to understand that the mind and the emotions have impact on their immune system and quality of life. Psychosocial support is an intervention that enhances the wellbeing of a person affected by life threatening events. Being healthy in this context is much more than the mere absence of disease or infirmity. A healthy person is the one who; * is socially integrated and accepted, has friends and a social network, and has a recognised and acceptable social status in the community * is socially competent; which means that he/she is able to cooperate with others and can also deal with pain, tension and conflicts * Can express feelings, has good self esteem and is confident, can manage stress and is able to make decisions. HIV disease is among the most devastating of illnesses, having multiple and profound effects upon all aspects of the bio-psychosocial and spiritual being. HIV as an illness affects the person first and foremost at the biological level in the form of an aggressive virus that compromises immunity. Every illness experience represents a unique and dramatic negative experience for the patient; it is associated with a profound and authentic psychological engagement of patients themselves and the significant people in their lives. According to a University of North...
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...immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus that originates from West Africa. Chimpanzees in West Africa that were infected with a similar virus, simian immunodeficiency virus, were hunted by humans and their meat was harvested and eaten (CDC, 2014). During this process, humans that were exposed to their blood or ate their meat, were exposed to this same virus. The simian immunodeficiency virus mutated over time becoming the human immunodeficiency virus. Scientists believe this transmission from chimpanzees to humans has been occurring since the early 1800’s and has slowly spread across the world. HIV is a virus that eventually leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The human body is unable to rid itself of this virus, meaning it is a lifelong illness that necessitates lifelong treatment. There is no cure, although scientists worldwide are actively and diligently working towards one. The virus directly attacks specific cells in our body which are called T-cells. It invades the T-cell and uses them to replicate itself, destroying the T-cell in the process. T-cells help our bodies in the defense against infection and disease and when they are depleted and destroyed, cause and increase in susceptibility to infection and disease. When these cells are depleted to a dangerous level, the disease process then transitions to AIDS. HIV is transmitted from person to person through bodily fluids. It can be passed through sexual acts, accidental needle punctures (health care workers)...
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...Kristina Davila Remediation Assignment/Case Study (Mr.Thomas) 1. HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another through blood (including menstrual blood), semen, vaginal secretions and/or breast milk. The mode of transmission can be unprotected sexual contact, direct blood contact, including injection drug needles, blood transfusions, accidents in health care settings or certain blood products, and/or mother to baby (before or during birth, or through breast milk). It is not transmitted by saliva, tears, sweat, feces and/or urine. Mr. Thomas can prevent the transmission to his wife or others by either abstaining from sex or wearing a condom. 2. HIV is the name of the virus which infects our immune system and damages it severely over a period of time. Over time, HIV disease infects and kills white blood cells called CD4 lymphocytes (or “T cells”) and can leave the body unable to fight off certain kinds of infections and cancers. When the CD4 count drops below 200, a person's immune system is severely weakened, and that person is then diagnosed with AIDS, even if he or she has not become sick from other infections. 3. The ethical dilemmas in this case are that first, Mr. Thomas had an affair and never told his wife. This affair happened 3 years ago, and he could have infected his wife by not protecting himself. Another dilemma is that he does not want his wife to know he is HIV positive unless she herself begins to present symptoms. 4. The health...
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