Glossary - I

Impetigo

Impetigo is a superficial intra epidermal infection. It typically begins as erythematous tender papule that rapidly progresses through a vesicular to a honey crusted stage. Signs and symptoms include: tender red macule or early lesions, thin roofed vesicles, red ulcers and pustules. The causes range from staphylocci to direct contact to contamination at a trauma site. The risk factors include: a warm, humid environment, summer or fall season, poor hygiene, and familial spread. Impetigo affects those between two and five years of age.

Influenza

Influenza is an acute, usually self-limited, viral, febrile, infection caused by influenza type A and B. It is marked by the inflammation of the nasal mucosa, pharynx, confunctiva, and respiratory tract. Outbreaks occur almost every winter with varying degrees of severity. The influenza virus displays antigenic drift (variation) which leads to strains of the virus to which there is little immunologic resistance in the population and may result in pandemics. It affects the respiratory system. There are between 250,000 and 500,000 new cases annually. Attack rates in healthy children are between 10 and 40% annually. The incidence of the disease is highest in school-aged children (between 3 months and 16 years of age) and in young adults (between 16 and 40 years of age). Morbidity is highest in the elderly (greater than 75 years of age). Males and females are equally susceptible to the disease. Signs and symptoms include, a sudden onset of high fever, myalgia, sore throat/pharyngitis, non-productive cough, headache, cervical lymphadenopathy, chills, nasal congestion, malaise, rales rhinorrhea, rhonchi, sinusitis, sneezing, wheezes and conjunctivitis. Causes of the disease are from an orthomyxovirus (influenza A and B) that are transmitted person-to-person, or by indirect contact (e.g., use of a contaminated drinking glass). Risk factors for contracting the disease are patients in semi-closed environments such as nursing homes, students and prisoners and crowded, close environments during times of epidemics. Risk factors for complications include, chronic pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases including valvular problems and congestive heart failure, metabolic diseases, hemoglobinopathies, malignancies, pregnancy in 3rd trimester, neonates, elderly and immunosuppression.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is manifested by altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, gaseousness, and in the absence of organic pathology: alternating diarrhea with constipation, nervous diarrhea, predominant constipation, and upper abdominal bloating and discomfort. Other symptoms include lower abdominal pain relieved by defecation, mucus in stools, constipation, diarrhea, distension, upper abdominal discomfort after eating, straining for normal consistency of stools, urgency of defecation, feelings of incomplete evacuation, nausea, and vomiting. While the cause is unknown, patients display abnormalities with stress and stimulants. The disease affects 15% of the population, usually those in their 20's.

 

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