Medical Microbiology and You

Know someone who is currently sick? I do! (Me). Ever have someone ask you "How are you?" while you're sick, but are unable to give a reply other than a trite "Eh, I'm okay"?

Well friends...Let's learn!

1.  Incubation period: period between initial infection and first appearance of symptoms.


Real-life example: 

Me: I got sick today. Boohoo.
You: Oh no, I saw you yesterday! You're contagious during the incubation period, you know. I must be sick now too! Cough cough. 
Me: ...hypochondriac. 

 2. Prodomal Period: relatively short period of time that follows the incubation period, characterized by early and mild symptoms.

Real life example: I woke up on Sunday feeling achy and sad. In science talk, that's called "malaise." I was unable to attend church due to the prodomal period of my illness.


3. Period of Illness: Time when disease is most severe. Person exhibits overt signs of disease, such as fever, chills, muscle pain (myalgia), sensitivity to light, sore throat, lymph node enlargement, and gastrointestinal disturbances. When disease is not successful overcome or treated, the patient dies during this period.

Real life example: I had most, if not all of those symptoms from Sunday until yesterday. No further comment.


4. Period of Decline: symptoms subside. During this phase, which may take from less than 24 hours to several days, the patient is vulnerable to secondary infections.

Real life example: Dang it. I thought I was safe when I woke up today feeling more or less fine (except for the fact that I am still a snot factory). Don't come near me, sick people. 


5. Period of Convalescence: person regains strength and body returns to prediseased state. Also known as recovery.


Real life example: This has yet to happen. But oh, I pray for speedy recovery and for entering into a time of convalescence. (....hah...haha....oh man. Am I the only one laughing? No one understands meeee.)




Other important terms for beefing up your microbiology vocabulary: 

reservoir of infection:  source of disease agent with adequate conditions for microbe proliferation, whether living organism or nonliving material.

zoonoses (zo -o-no'-sez): diseases that occur primarily in wild and domestic animals but can be transmitted to humans.

fomite: nonliving object that can transmit infection, such as toothbrushes, utensils, tissues, bedding. Basically everything your sickie hands have touched lately.


droplet transmission: microbes are spread by droplets in the air, discharged by coughing, sneezing, laughing, or talking within 1 meter of the host.


vehicle transmission: transmission of disease agents by food, air, or water (including bodily fluids). 


There you go, now when someone asks you how you are, you can croak a couple of microbio terms out of your inflamed gullet. I won't be held responsible if you get them sick and/or annoyed while you're at it. You should probably stick to gchat until you're better.