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Flashcards · Biology · Health and Infectious Disease

Stomach Ulcers and Ebola

16 cards

  1. What causes most stomach ulcers?

    The bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

  2. Where does H. pylori live?

    In the mucus lining of the stomach.

  3. How does H. pylori survive stomach acid?

    It makes an enzyme that produces ammonia, which neutralises the acid.

  4. How are stomach ulcers formed?

    The bacteria damage the lining, so acid and enzymes attack the exposed tissue.

  5. How does H. pylori spread?

    By oral transmission, in contaminated food, water or saliva.

  6. How is an ulcer caused by H. pylori treated?

    With antibiotics and a drug that reduces stomach acid.

  7. Who showed that H. pylori causes ulcers?

    Barry Marshall and Robin Warren.

  8. What did Marshall do to prove it?

    He swallowed a culture of the bacteria.

  9. What did doctors think caused ulcers before?

    Stress, spicy food and excess acid.

  10. What type of pathogen causes Ebola?

    A virus.

  11. What does Ebola cause?

    A haemorrhagic fever.

  12. How is Ebola spread?

    By contact with the body fluids of an infected person or animal.

  13. Name two ways of reducing the spread of Ebola.

    Isolating patients, protective clothing for health workers, safe burials or vaccination.

  14. Why is contact tracing important in an outbreak?

    It finds people who may be infected, so they can be watched and isolated.

  15. Is Ebola spread through the air?

    No. It spreads by direct contact with body fluids.

  16. Common mistake about ulcers?

    Saying that stress is the main cause. Most are caused by H. pylori.