Chapter 10
Airborne Bacterial Diseases
Chapter Summary and Essay Questions
Chapter 10 is the first of four chapters that summarize the bacterial diseases of humans. The diseases are presented in anthology fashion, beginning with diseases of the upper respiratory tract and followed by diseases of the lower respiratory tract. In each case, the bacterial agent is described, the primary symptoms are discussed, and information is presented on the treatment, diagnosis, and immunization where applicable. After you have studied the chapter, you should be able to answer the following essay questions:
a. Describe the make up of the upper and lower respiratory systems.
b. Discuss the defensive mechanisms presented by the respiratory system to minimize infection and disease.
c. Describe the streptococci and follow the development of streptococcal infection from strep throat to rheumatic fever.
d. Name the organism of diphtheria, and explain the importance of the exotoxin in this disease.
e. Describe the symptoms and seriousness of epiglottitis.
f. Explain what sinusitis is and differentiate between acute and chronic sinusitis.
g. Discuss the types of ear infections caused by microbes.
h. Predict the course of infection in meningococcal meningitis, and describe how the disease is diagnosed and treated.
i. Contrast Haemophilus meningitis with meningococcal meningitis, and specify the age group in which Haemophilus meningitis appears frequently.
j. Name the organism of pertussis. Indicate how pertussis is spread, and identify the main stages in the disease.
k. Distinguish the characteristics of the tuberculosis organism, with emphasis on its staining reactions and discuss how tuberculosis can be diagnosed and treated.
l. Identify the microbes associated with infectious bronchitis and differentiate between acute and chronic bronchitis.
m. Differentiate between pneumococcal pneumonia and other “typical” pneumonias with respect to cause, symptoms, treatment, and immunization.
n. Describe the characteristics of primary atypical pneumonia.
n. Describe the important obligate, intracellular parasites responsible for pneumonia.