8 Questions
What is the primary goal of infection prevention in a hospital setting?
To prevent spread of infections to other patients and staff
What is the purpose of investigating the patient's history in infection management?
To determine the patient's age and immune status
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of infection?
Radiation
What is the purpose of detecting antigens or nucleic acid in infection diagnosis?
To identify the pathogen responsible for the infection
Which of the following is a type of infection outcome?
All of the above
What is the primary role of public health in infection prevention?
To identify and track outbreaks
What is the purpose of blood tests in infection diagnosis?
To evaluate liver and kidney function
Which of the following is a type of pathogen?
All of the above
Study Notes
Infection and Disease
- Epidemic: a widespread disease within a community
- Pandemic: an epidemic that has spread beyond borders
Infection Model
- Factors affecting infection: patient (age, immune status, comorbidities), pathogen (bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite), mechanism of infection, and process of infection
- Mechanisms of infection: contiguous (direct) spread, inoculation, haematogenous, ingestion, inhalation, vector, and vertical transmission
- Process of infection: attachment, interaction with host defences, and host damage
- Management of patient: history, examination, investigations, specific and supportive treatment
- Patient outcome: cure, disability, chronic infection, or death
Pathogen and Patient Factors
- Pathogen classification: bacteria, virus, fungus, and parasite
- Patient factors affecting infection: age, immune status, and comorbidities
Mechanism of Infection
- Contiguous (direct) spread: direct contact between individuals
- Inoculation: introduction of pathogens into the body through a break in the skin or mucous membranes
- Haematogenous: spread of pathogens through the bloodstream
- Ingestion: swallowing of pathogens
- Inhalation: breathing in of pathogens
- Vector: transmission of pathogens through insects or animals
- Vertical transmission: transmission of pathogens from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth
Pathogen-Host Interaction and Management
- Pathogen-host interaction: attachment, interaction with host defences, and host damage
- Management of patient: history, examination, investigations, specific and supportive treatment
Investigations
- Purpose of investigations: to identify the actual infecting agent
- Types of investigations:
- For bacteria: microbiology on specimen, detection of antigens or nucleic acid (PCR)
- For viruses: antigen detection, viral nucleic acid detection (PCR)
- Other investigations: blood tests (FBC, CRP, liver and kidney function tests), imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI scan)
Treatment and Outcome
- Treatment: specific and supportive treatment
- Patient outcome: cure, disability, chronic infection, or death
Infection Prevention
- Hospital infection prevention: prevent spread to other patients, staff, and visitors
- Common hospital infections: MRSA, UTIs, etc.
- Source of hospital infections: unknown
- Community infection prevention:
- Herd immunity
- Vaccination (and anti-vaccination debate)
- Public health: role in infection prevention and control
Learn about the fundamentals of epidemiology, including the differences between epidemic and pandemic, and the infection model. Understand the key factors involved in the spread of diseases.
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