The document outlines an assignment based on Chapter 2, focusing on infectious disease concepts for the upcoming class discussion. Students are instructed to choose one of three subtopics related to the chapter, write a primary comment of 150-200 words, and actively participate in the discussion. The subtopics involve factors affecting epidemic spread, comparisons between acute and chronic infections, and the concept of herd immunity.

1. Read Chapter 2 first. Then come to this assignment.
The first theme of next week's class (Week 2) will be Chapter 2,
Concepts of Infectious Disease. I will briefly go through the
chapter to make sure that you understand it, and then we will
have a discussion.
Since the chapter in the textbook is so full of important
concepts, it would be difficult to narrow it down to a single
topic for discussion. So I have posted this introduction and 3
separate subtopics. You can choose which one you want to write
about. Each student should choose one of these subtopics for
your major post. You should write well thought out primary
comments on at least one of the points below (150-200 words).
BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND SUBTOPIC IN
THE HEADER FOR YOUR PAPER.
We will discuss each of the subtopics that were chosen by the
students. Each of you should take an active role in presenting
your topic to the other students. Explain the concept in your
own words, or develop it further using a relevant example. As
other students present their perspective on the same topic,
hopefully an active discussion will take hold. I will jump in
only as needed. This format will allow you to develop one
subtopic in an active sense, but learn about the others by being
drawn into them through other people's discussions.
Choose your subtopic:
Subtopic 1: Factors that affect the spread of epidemics
Question: Explain how the interaction between these factors are
relevant to the transmission of AIDS. For example, which of

2. these factors are most critical to the transmission of HIV.
Which aren't.
1. Total number of hosts
2. Host’s birth rate
3. Rate at which new susceptible hosts migrate into population
4. Number of susceptible uninfected hosts
5. Rate at which disease can be transmitted from infected to
uninfected hosts
6. Death rate of infected hosts
7. The number of infected hosts who survive and become
immune or resistant to further infection
Subtopic 2: Acute versus Chronic Infections
Question: Compare the definitions of Acute Infections and
Chronic Infections below. Based on what you know about
HIV/AIDS at this point, which description most closely matches
AIDS? Explain your answer, using evidence from the book to
support your position.
What is an acute infection?
1. Produces symptoms and makes a person infectious soon after
infection.

3. 2. The infected person may:
transmit the disease
die from the infection
recover and develop immunity
3. the acute microorganism
STRIKES QUICKLY
infects entire group (small group)
dies out
What is a chronic infection?
Person may never show symptoms
Person continues to carry infectious agent at a low level
Does NOT mount an effective immune response
Subtopic 3: Controlling infectious disease
Question: Explain what herd immunity is and how it works.
Use an example from either the book or the internet to explain
your position.

4. Herd immunity = when all, or nearly all susceptibles are
immunized, no new infection can occur. Agent can be
eradicated from the population.
Use simple sentence and grammar