Skip to main content
Ch. 25 - Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System
Tortora - Microbiology: An Introduction 14th Edition
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTortora 14th EditionCh. 25 - Microbial Diseases of the Digestive SystemProblem 8
Chapter 25, Problem 8

Complete the following table:
Blank table with columns for disease, causative agent, transmission mode, infection site, symptoms, and prevention, listing four viral diseases.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the causative agent for each disease. For example, Mumps is caused by the Mumps virus, Hepatitis A by the Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B by the Hepatitis B virus, and Viral gastroenteritis can be caused by several viruses such as Norovirus or Rotavirus.
Step 2: Determine the mode of transmission for each disease. Mumps is typically transmitted via respiratory droplets, Hepatitis A through the fecal-oral route (contaminated food or water), Hepatitis B through blood and bodily fluids, and Viral gastroenteritis mainly through the fecal-oral route or contaminated food and water.
Step 3: Identify the primary site of infection for each disease. Mumps primarily infects the salivary glands, Hepatitis A and B infect the liver, and Viral gastroenteritis affects the gastrointestinal tract.
Step 4: List common symptoms associated with each disease. Mumps symptoms include swollen salivary glands and fever; Hepatitis A and B symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain; Viral gastroenteritis symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
Step 5: Describe prevention methods for each disease. Mumps prevention includes vaccination (MMR vaccine); Hepatitis A prevention involves vaccination and good hygiene; Hepatitis B prevention includes vaccination and avoiding contact with infected bodily fluids; Viral gastroenteritis prevention focuses on good hygiene, safe food and water practices, and sometimes vaccination (e.g., Rotavirus vaccine).

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Viral Diseases and Their Causative Agents

Understanding viral diseases requires identifying the specific virus responsible for each illness. For example, mumps is caused by the mumps virus, Hepatitis A by the Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis B by the Hepatitis B virus, and viral gastroenteritis by various viruses like norovirus or rotavirus. Knowing the causative agent helps in diagnosis and treatment.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:12
Persistent Viral Infections

Modes of Transmission

Transmission mode explains how a virus spreads from one host to another. This can include direct contact, airborne droplets, fecal-oral route, or bloodborne pathways. For instance, Hepatitis A spreads mainly via the fecal-oral route, while Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. Recognizing transmission helps in controlling outbreaks.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:23
Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

Site of Infection, Symptoms, and Prevention

Each viral disease targets specific body sites, causing characteristic symptoms; mumps affects salivary glands causing swelling, Hepatitis viruses target the liver causing jaundice, and viral gastroenteritis affects the intestines causing diarrhea. Prevention strategies include vaccination, hygiene, and avoiding exposure to infectious agents, which are crucial for disease control.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:29
Acute Viral Infections
Related Practice
Textbook Question

A cholera epidemic in Peru had all of the following characteristics. Which one led to the others?

a. Eating raw fish

b. Sewage contamination of water

c. Catching fish in contaminated water

d. Vibrio in fish intestine

e. Including fish intestines with edibles

2
views
Textbook Question

Use the following choices to answer the following question:

a. Campylobacter

b. Cryptosporidium

c. Escherichia

d. Salmonella

e. Trichinella


A characteristic disease symptom caused by this microorganism is swelling around the eyes.

1
views
Textbook Question

Look at life cycle diagrams for human tapeworm and trichinellosis. Indicate stages in the life cycles that could be easily broken to prevent these diseases.

1
views
Textbook Question

Differentiate among the following factors of bacterial intoxication and bacterial infection: prerequisite conditions, causative agents, onset, duration of symptoms, and treatment.

1
views
Textbook Question

Use the following choices to answer the following question:

a. Campylobacter

b. Cryptosporidium

c. Escherichia

d. Salmonella

e. Trichinella


Microscopic observation of a stool sample reveals gram-negative helical cells.

2
views
Textbook Question

Use the following choices to answer the following question:

a. Campylobacter

b. Cryptosporidium

c. Escherichia

d. Salmonella

e. Trichinella


Identification is based on the observation of oocysts in feces.

1
views