Infection Control and Aseptic Techniques

Asepsis and Infection Control

• Asepsis refers to the practice of eliminating disease-causing organisms to prevent infection.
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness.

Pathogens and Infections

• Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease in humans.
• Sepsis indicates tissue poisoning resulting from infection.
• Septicemia or bacteremia describes the spread of infection or its products through the bloodstream.
• Infection indicates the presence of disease-causing microorganisms, while septic refers to a systemic inflammatory response from extensive tissue destruction.

Systemic Inflammatory Response

• SIRS (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) is characterized by symptoms like high fever, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, and increased white blood cell count during a septic condition.

Infectious Diseases

• An infectious disease arises from the invasion and reproduction of pathogens in a host.

Aseptic Techniques

• Aseptic practices include the use of gloves, masks, gowns, hair covers, and patient isolation to prevent infection transmission.

Agents of Infection

• The six primary infectious agents are bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions, and multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs).

Bacteria Characteristics

• Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms capable of causing organ dysfunction through tissue invasion and inflammation.
• They can be transmitted through air, food, water, soil, vectors, or sexual activity.
• All bacteria can potentially impair organ function.

Exotoxins and Endotoxins

• Examples of bacteria producing exotoxins include diphtheria, botulism, and tetanus.
• Gram-negative bacteria such as Gonorrhea and meningococcal meningitis produce endotoxins found in their cell walls.

Viral Infections

• Hepatitis and HIV are common viruses that can cause extensive tissue damage and chronic conditions.

Fungal Infections

• Fungi are generally single-celled organisms categorized into molds and yeasts.
• Candida albicans is part of normal human flora and can lead to infections in immunocompromised individuals.
• Candida infections are considered opportunistic and are increasingly prevalent and lethal.
• Fungal infections frequently occur in hair, skin, and nails.

Parasites

• Parasites are primarily multicellular organisms, with examples including protozoa (thrive in water), helminths (tapeworms, hookworms, trichinae), and arthropods (mites, fleas, ticks) that can induce various diseases.

Prion Diseases

• Prion diseases are also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and are untreatable and always fatal in both humans and animals.