Learning Objectives

1. Discuss basic components of the immune system.
2. Describe the two basic types of leukocytes.
3. Explain the keystone of immunology.
4. Identify the origin and purpose of stem cells.
5. Define immunity.
6. Explain immune response: specific, nonspecific, cell mediated, adaptive.
7. Define acquired immunity.
8. Describe autoimmune responses.
9. Explain CMI (cell-mediated immunity) and what it does.
10. Discuss factors impacting the immune system.
11. Discuss stressors, acute and chronic.
12. Explain psychoneuroimmunology.
13. Explain the connection between stress and immunity.
14. Explain the link between immunity and viral infections.
15. Discuss the link between stress, immunity, and chronic diseases.
16. Identify factors that deplete immunity.
17. Define anti-nutrients.
18. Identify supplements that enhance immunity.
19. Identify foods that aid immunity.
20. Explain the benefits of various vitamins, minerals, and herbs.
21. Identify foods to eat and those to avoid.
22. Discuss actions and strategies for enhancing the immune system.
23. Identify three types of vaccines.
24. Explain advantages/disadvantages of live vaccines and inactive vaccines.
25. Discuss the importance of vaccines.
26. List factors contributing to the emergence of infectious diseases.
27. Explain the role of vectors, biologic and mechanical.
28. Explain the role of arthropod vectors, endoparasites and ectoparasites.
29. Define zoonosis
30. Describe how fungi can create disease.
31. Discuss protozoa and what they can cause.
32. Define bacteria and their life forms.
33. Discuss transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, and complications of botulism, salmonella, campylobacteriosis, and E coli.
34. Describe causes, transmission, and symptoms of shigellosis, cholera, and typhoid fever.
35. Identify effective ways to prevent the transmission of foodborne diseases.
36. Describe the three stages of pertussis and why it is of concern today.
37. Discuss transmission and symptoms of streptococcus A, bubonic plague, glanders, leptospirosis, and clostridium difficile infections.
38. Explain cause, symptoms, transmission, and prevention of lyme disease.
39. Explain transmission and infection routes of the viruses.
40. Discuss microbial spread of viruses.
41. Discuss diseases caused by viruses i.e., trypanosomiasis, cryptosporidiosis.
42. Define antibiotic resistance, superbug, MRSA, and VRSA.
43. Identify guidelines for using antibiotics appropriately.
44. Explain how to prevent spread of antibiotic resistant infections.
45. Identify co-morbid factors that contribute to MRSA/VRSA.
46. Discuss the control of MRSA and VRSA outbreaks.
47. Discuss vancomycin, gentamycin resistance.
48. Describe the CDC guidelines for the proper use of vancomycin.
49. Describe the characteristics and components of viruses.
50. Discuss the history of virus discoveries.
51. Discuss classifications of viruses.
52. Explain viral entry and phases of replication.
53. Explain how viruses are transmitted and the routes of infection.
54. Explain bacteriophage therapy and its uses and benefits.
55. Describe DNA and RNA viruses.
56. Explain coronavirus, SARS, calicivirus, orthomyxovirus, paraviruses, and paramyxovirus.
57. Discuss HIV statistics, transmission, and treatment.
58. Identify a major protozoan disease, a parasitic disease, and rickettsias disease.
59. Discuss the role of mosquitoes in spreading disease.
60. Describe the etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of trypanosomiasis, cryptosporidiosis, malaria, typhus-rickettsias, dengue fever, and viral hemorrhagic fever.
61. Explain what arenaviridae are and diseases that they cause.
62. Discuss diseases caused by flaviviruses.
63. Explain the difference between endemics, pandemics and epidemics.
64. Describe various stages of pandemics.
65. Explain antigenic shift and drift.
66. Identify influenza types, subtypes, strains.
67. Describe the symptoms and transmission of influenza.
68. Identify the components of H5N1: avian flu, incubation period, and clinical manifestations.
69. Explain the effectiveness and importance of the influenza vaccines.
70. Discuss how influenza pandemics are different from other pandemic threats.
71. Identify serious problems with pandemics.
72. Explain transmission/incubation/clinical signs of swine flu.
73. Discuss the history of H5N1 virus.
74. Identify symptoms of avian flu caused by H5N1.
75. Explain avian flu transmission.
76. Identify medications used in the treatment of pandemic influenza.
77. Explain how the avian flu pandemic influenza is different from avian influenza.
78. Discuss Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
79. Compare influenza and SARS.
80. Identify ways to prevent spread of SARs or infectious influenza.
81. Discuss antiviral vaccine development.
82. Discuss the history of bioterrorism.
83. Explain why BioWar is of grave concern.
84. Classify bioterrorism agents or diseases.
85. Describe BSL (Bio safety lab classifications).
86. Discuss biological /viral agents' use as biologic agents of bio war.
87. Describe the botulinum toxins and how they might be used in biowarfare.
88. Explain the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the plague, smallpox, and viral hemorrhagic fevers.
89. Identify possible clues to a biological warfare or terrorist attack.
90. Discuss The Four R's for nurses.
91. Explain the role of the school nurse in bio-terror or pandemics.
92. Describe how the nursing role/scope of practice may change or expand during times of crisis.
93. Describe an effective disaster plan.
94. Explain political and financial factors related to public education.
95. Discuss the nursing role in pandemics or other infectious threats to health.
96. Describe indications of possible BW agent attack.
97. Identify resources for nurses who wish to become better prepared.
98. Discuss current pandemic challenges.
99. Discuss community preparation, family and individual plans.
100. Identify supplies that should be stored as part of a disaster preparedness plan.

Course Contents

  Introduction and Course Focus
1. The Immune System
    The Immune System Overview
    Brief History
    Components of the Immune System
      White Blood Cells
      Two Basic Types of Leukocytes
      Macrophages and Phagocytes
      Lymphocytes and Lymph Organs
      Lymph Nodes
      Lymphocyte Sub-Types
      The Two Major Types of T Cells
      A Deeper Look at B Cells
      Neutrophils/Granulocytes
      Eosinophils and Basophils
      The Spleen
2. The Immune Response
    Defense Against Antigens and Types of Immunity
      What Is Immunity?
    Autoimmune Disease
    More on Allergies
    Active Immunity
    A Closer Look at Immune Responses
      Humoral Response (Humoral Immunity)
      Cell-mediated Immunity (CMI)
    Passive Immunity
    Nonspecific and Specific Immunity
    Summary
3. Factors That Impact the Immune System
    Factors Affecting Immunity
      Impact of Heavy Metals on the Immune System
      Stress and the Immune System
    Psychoneuroimmunology
      Ten-Year Study
      Mood and Immunity
      Type A and Type B Personalities and Stress
    Diseases Associated with Stress
      Asthma
      Post- traumatic Stress Disorder
      Migraine Headaches
      Alzheimer’s Disease
      Diabetes
      Psoriasis/Eczema
      Gastrointestinal Diseases
      Myocardial Infarction
      Wound Healing
      Psychological Stress and Viral Infection
      Increasing Demands to Sustain a Life Style
    Summary
4. Boosting the Immune System
    Supplements and Diet
      Depleting the Immune System
    Supplements that Enhance Immunity
      Vitamins
      Carotenoids (Beta-carotene)
      Minerals
    Foods that Strengthen the Immune System
      Immune Enhancing Diet
    Foods to Avoid
      High Fat Foods
      High Nutrient Diet
    Herbs
    Tonics, Specifics, Heroics, Protectors and Cleansers
      Tonics
      Specifics
      Heroics (or “Forcing Herbs”)
      Protectors and Cleansers
    Immune Herbs: Surface and Deep-acting Herbs
      Echinacea
      Astragalus
      Goldenseal
      Ginkgo Biloba
    Other Herbs of Interest
      Gotu Kola
      Rosemary
      Green Tea Extract
      Soybean
      Pau d’arco (Tabebuia pentaphylla)
      Ginger
      Garlic
      Cayenne
      Seaweed
    Herbal Teas
    Live Cultured Foods
      Live Cultured Food
      Mushroom Family
    Other Immune System Enhancers
      Exercise
      Yoga and Stretching
      Hand Hygiene
      Laughter and Humor
      Music
      Sleep
      Positive Thinking
      Tea
      Hydrotherapy
      Acupuncture
    Summary
5. Vaccines
    Vaccine Types
      Sub-unit vaccines
      Inactivated Vaccines
      Polysaccharide Vaccines (a subunit of inactivated vaccines)
      Live Virus Vaccines
      Recombinant Vaccines
    Summary
6. Infectious Diseases Today
    Today’s Facts
      Heart Disease
      Infectious Diseases Are Number One Killers
      Factors Contributing to Emergence or Re-Emergence of Diseases
      Re-Emergence
      Pathogenic Microbes
      Zoonoses
    Vectors
      Biologic and Mechanical Vectors
      Arthropod Vectors
    Parasites, Fungi, Helminths, Protozoa
      Parasites
      Ectoparasite and Endoparasites
      Fungi — Eukaryotic Microorganisms
    Protozoa and Helminths
      Protozoa
      Helminths (Worms)
    Some Diseases Caused by Worms
      Schistosomiasis
      Dracunculiasis, (Racunculiasis) or Guinea Worm (GWD)
      Onchocerciasis
    Summary
7. Bacteria
    Anatomy of a Bacteria Cell
      Endotoxin and Exotoxins
    Some Foodborne Infections Caused by Infectious Bacteria
    Campylobacteriosis — Campylobacter Jejuni
    E. Coli Infection
    Salmonellosis
    Botulism
    Shigellosis
    Cholera
    Typhoid Fever (differs from Typhus)
    Summary
8. Other Infectious Diseases
    Pertussis
    Clostridium Difficile Infection
    Bubonic Plague
    Streptococcal A
    Glanders
    Leptospirosis
    Lyme Disease
    Summary
9. Antibiotic Resistance MRSA/VRSA: The Superbug
    MRSA
      Factors that Increase Antibiotic Resistance
      Control of MRSA Outbreaks
      Prevention of MRSA Outbreaks
    Infection Control Guidelines (CDC)
      HIV and MRSA
    VRE and VRSA
    Vancomycin, Gentamycin Resistance: Antibiotic Exposure Co-morbid Factor
      VRE and VRSA
      Antibiotics Mismanagement
      Risk Factors for VRE or VRSA Infections
      Preventing Transmission of VRE and VRSA
      Surveillance Programs for Detecting Outbreaks of Nosocomial Infections
      Transmission
      Precautions
      Antibiotic Treatment of VRE
      Treatment of VRSA
      CDC Guidelines for the Proper Use of Vancomycin
      Nursing Implications
    Summary
10. Virus Overview
    Virus
      What Is a Virus?
      The Viral Envelope
      A Brief History of Virus Discoveries
      Viral Replication
    Phases of Replication
      Characteristics of Viruses Summarized
    Viral Entry
      Infection Can Occur Via
      Main Mechanisms for Spread throughout the Host
    A Deeper Look at Virology
      What Is Virology?
      Classification of DNA and RNA Viruses
      Subviral Agents
      Bacteriophage and the Lysogenic Effect and Phage Therapy
      Structural Overview of Bacteriophage
      The Lysogenic Life Cycle of Temperate Bacteriophages
      Phage Therapy
      Benefits of Phage Therapy
    Summary
11. DNA and RNA Viruses and the Diseases They Cause
    General Virus Types: DNA and RNA
    Adenovirus
      Associated Diseases
      Transmission
      Clinical Course and Diagnosis
      Treatment and Therapy
      Prevention
      Vaccination
    RNA Viruses
      Coronaviruses
      SARS—Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
      Calicivirus
    Norovirus Infection
      Symptoms
      Transmission
    Orthomyxoviruses/Influenza Viruses
      Transmission
      Site of Infection
    Picornaviruses
      Picornavirus Diseases
      Paramyxovirus
      Transmission
    Measles (Rubeola)
      Symptoms
      Complications of Measles
    Nipah Virus/Paramyxoviridae
      Symptoms
    Retrovirus
      Retrovirus — HIV/AIDS
    AIDS
      Definitions
      Diagnosis
    Four Retroviruses
      Viral Load
      Transmission
      Treatment
      Summary of the AIDS/HIV Facts and Cycle
    Lentiviruses (subgroup of retroviruses)
    Rotavirus
    Summary
12. Other Microbial Diseases of Concern Today
    Trypanosomiasis (Chagas Disease)
      Clinical Symptoms
    Cryptosporidiosis
      Symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis
      Risk for Cryptosporidiosis
    Malaria
    Typhus — Rickettsias
    Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF)
      Clinical Manifestations
      Differential Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Epidemiology of Disease Transmission
      Prevention/Prophylaxis
      Bunyavirus
      Arenaviridae
      Lassa Fever
      Filovirus (Ebola)
    Flavivirus
      The 13-infectious Flavivirus
    Therapy/Management
    Prevention
    Summary
13. Endemics, Epidemics, Pandemics, & New Influenzas
      Endemic
      Epidemic
      Pandemic: The Difference Between an Epidemic and a Pandemic
    Pandemics – A Brief Historical Overview
    Stages of a Pandemic
      Interpandemic Period
      Pandemic Alert Period
      Pandemic Period
      Pandemic Summary
    Drift, Shift, Types, Subtypes, and Strains
      Antigenic Drift
      Antigenic Shift
    Influenza Types and Strains
      Types of Influenza
      Strains of Influenza
    Human Influenza Viruses Versus Avian Influenza Viruses
      Low Pathogenic Versus Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses
      Putting It Together: Types and Subtypes
    Summary
14. The Next Pandemic Threat
    Swine Flu or Avian Influenza?
    Influenza Pandemics Are Different
    Serious Problems with Pandemics
      Global Quick Spread
      Economic and Social Costs of Pandemics
      Potential Costs per Individual
      Surge Capacity - Inadequate Medical Supplies
      Dramatic Death Toll
      Swine Flu
      Transmission
      Clinical Signs
      Diagnosis
15. The H5N1 Virus: Avian Flu or Bird Flu
    Pandemic Concerns Today
    Seasonal Flu Versus Pandemic Flu
      Seasonal Flu
      Pandemic Flu
    Do Nurses Need to Worry About the Avian Flu: H5N1 Virus?
      Brief History of H5N1 Virus
      Avian Flu Expected Soon in the United States
      Changing Statistics
      Is H5N1 the Same Strain as Was Found in 1918 Spanish Flu?
    Avian Flu Caused by H5N1
      Symptoms of Avian Flu
      Pathophysiology
      Incubation
      Avian Influenza Transmission
      Diagnostic Problems
      Influenza Diagnosis Confirmation
      New Testing For Influenza Strains
      Gold Standard Testing
    Prevention of Pandemic Influenza
      Ban Importation of Chicken
      Culling
      Treatment
      Vaccine Development
      The Avian Flu Pandemic Influenza is Different from Avian Influenza
      Influenza Compared to SARS
      Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
      Ways to Prevent Spread of SARS or Infectious Influenza
16. Bio War and Genetic Engineering
    The New Biological Weapons
      Delivery and Detection of Biological Warfare
      Nursing Responsibility
      Classification of Bioterrorism Agents or Disease
      Genetic Alterations
      Gene Sequences Available Online
      West Nile Virus Released?
      Replication of Norovirus
      Storage of Infectious Agents
    Biotech or Bioterror
      Historical Overview: Use of Biological Agents
      The History of Biological Warfare (BW)
      Challenges
      Protective Measures
    Biosafety Laboratory Standards (BSL)
      Biosafety Level 1
      Biosafety Level 2
      Biosafety Level 3
      Biosafety Level 4
    Summary
17. Main Biologic Agents
    Natural Evolution or Intentional Infliction
    Anthrax
      Morbidity
      Vaccination
      Reportability
      Inhalation Anthrax
      Clinical Features
      Diagnosis
      Cutaneous Anthrax
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Gastrointestinal Anthrax
      Diagnosis and Treatment
    Plague
      Pathophysiology
      Dissemination
      Symptoms
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention/Prophylaxis
    Cholera
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Features
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention/Prophylaxis
    Tularemia
      History of Tularemia as a Bio Weapon
      Vector Transmission
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Manifestations
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prophylaxis/Prevention
    Brucellosis
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Features
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention/Prophylaxis
    Q fever
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Features
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention /Prophylaxis
    Smallpox
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Signs
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention
      Residual Immunity
    Monkeypox
    Viral Encephalitides
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Manifestations
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention
    Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
    Ricin
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Manifestations
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prophylaxis
    Botulinum Toxin
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Manifestations
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention/Prophylaxis
    Mycotoxins
      Pathophysiology
      Clinical Manifestations
      Diagnosis
      Treatment
      Prevention
    Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B.
      Toxicity
      Diagnosis
      Symptoms
      Treatment for SEB Poisoning
    Summary
18. New Era in Public Health: Nursing on the Front Line
    Public Health
      The Four R’s for Nurses as Adopted by Many Organizations
      Children Are Vulnerable
      The School Nurse in Bio-terror or Pandemics
19. Nurses Can Educate People - Now
    What Nurses Need to Look at Today
    Public Health Nursing
      FluSurge
    What Nurses Can Do Today
      Expanded Scope of Practice
      Nursing Infection Control Precautions for Influenza A (H5N1)
      Isolation Precautions
    Surveillance
      Indications of Possible BW Agent Attack or a Pandemic
      Resources for Nurses Who Wish to Become Better Prepared
    Biosecurity
    Summary
20. Planning, Preparation, and Guidance
    Surveillance and Laboratory Issues
    Communication
    Community Services
    Medical Care
      Influenza Pandemic Preparedness
    Vaccines and Drugs
    Pandemic Challenges
    Backyard Local Farmers with Fresh Eggs
      Isolating Flocks from Wild Bird Populations, Human Contact, and Each Other
      Minimizing Bird-to-Human Contact
      Other Ways of Preventing Spread of Virus Among Animals
    Community Preparation
    Family and Individual Plans
    Water Treatment
      Boiling
      Chlorination
      Water Treatment Purification Tablets
      Distillation
      Outdoor Water Sources: Purify the Water Before Drinking It.
    Food Items
      Long-Term Bulk Foods
    Responsibilities of the Individuals and Families
    Justified Alarm
      Other Components
    The Next Pandemic
      Political and Financial Need
      Financial Perspective
    Government Response Today
      Federal Actions
      State and Local Responsibilities
    Have a Disaster Plan, and Know It
      Can You Locate Your Disaster Plan?
    Conclusion
  Bibliography

 

Comments:

"I really enjoyed this course. I learned a lot!" - D.M., RN, CA