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What characterizes a carrier in terms of health and infection?
Which stage of the infectious process comes first according to the hierarchy?
Which of the following accurately describes the prodromal period in the infectious process?
What is the correct definition of the term 'reservoir' in the context of infection?
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What is meant by 'portal of exit' in infection control?
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In the context of infection transmission, which of the following is classified as contact transmission?
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During which stage of the infectious process does the body start to recover from the infection?
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Which WHO guideline best describes Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)?
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What is a susceptible host?
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Which method is MOST effective in reducing the transmission of infections in healthcare settings?
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Which of the following methods can prevent the spread of infection?
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What is the primary disinfectant used for floors and walls in a hospital setting?
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How long should handwashing be performed to effectively reduce pathogens?
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Which disinfectant is commonly used on patient skin?
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Which of the following is NOT a moment for hand hygiene outlined by WHO?
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Which of the following describes an epidemic?
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What is the crucial aspect that determines the effectiveness of medical/surgical asepsis?
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What is the mode of transmission for Typhus fevers?
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Which way does infection MOST commonly enter a susceptible host?
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Which of the following viruses causes AIDS?
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What is the purpose of the 5 moments for hand hygiene?
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Which type of outbreak is characterized by the normal level of a disease within a certain area?
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What is the main symptom associated with Yellow Fever?
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What disinfectant is commonly used for endoscopes?
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What is the main limitation of UV light in the sterilization process?
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Which type of radiation is preferred for the sterilization of disposable medical items?
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Which of the following represents an important point in sterilization?
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What is a primary advantage of using filtration as a sterilization method?
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What must be ensured when using ethylene oxide for sterilization?
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What is the immersion period required for effective disinfection in a 2% chamber activated alkaline glutaraldehyde solution?
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Which of the following statements regarding filtration is accurate?
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What is the primary mechanism by which ethylene oxide inactivates microorganisms?
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What is the first step in managing a public health outbreak?
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Which of the following is NOT a purpose for investigating outbreaks?
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What does contact tracing involve in outbreak management?
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Which step follows the development of hypotheses in outbreak investigation?
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In the context of outbreak management, what does performing descriptive epidemiology entail?
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What is a primary reason for communicating findings after an outbreak investigation?
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What is the mode of transmission for the influenza virus?
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Which of the following actions is part of implementing control measures during an outbreak?
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Study Notes
Carrier
- A person or animal that harbors pathogens within their body without showing signs of illness.
- They can transmit pathogens to others.
Isolation
- Separating individuals with communicable diseases from others to prevent direct or indirect transmission.
Infection Chain
- A series of steps that describe the transmission of a disease from one host to another.
Stages of infectious process
- Incubation period: Time between entry of microorganisms into the body and the onset of non-specific signs and symptoms.
- Prodromal period: Onset of non-specific signs and symptoms leading to specific signs and symptoms of the disease.
- Illness period: Development and severity of specific signs and symptoms.
- Decline: Body begins to recover from the infection, with prominent symptoms diminishing.
- Convalescent: Recovery phase where health and strength gradually return.
Infection Control
- A practical, evidence-based approach to prevent avoidable infections in patients and health workers.
Etiologic/Infectious Agent
- A viable microorganism that causes or may cause disease in humans or animals.
Reservoir
- The natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms.
- Examples: Humans, animals (insects, rats)
Portal of Exit
- The route through which a pathogen leaves the reservoir.
- Examples: Respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, reproductive tract, blood.
Mode of Transmission
- Various ways infectious agents spread from one host to another.
- **Contact Transmission: **
- Direct contact: Infectious agent directly enters a susceptible host.
- Indirect contact: Transmission through inanimate objects (fomites).
- Droplet transmission: Droplets containing infectious agents travel short distances through the air.
- ** Airborne transmission:** Infectious agents travel long distances through the air via dust particles or small droplets.
- Vehicle transmission: Transmission through contaminated objects such as food, water, or blood.
- Vector-borne transmission: Transmission through an insect, animal, or other living organism.
- Common Vehicle transmission: Transmission through a common source such as contaminated food or water.
Susceptible Host
- A person at risk of infection due to factors such as weakened immune system, malnutrition, or poor hygiene.
Handwashing
- Also known as hand hygiene.
- Most important method for reducing transmission of infection in healthcare settings, especially nosocomial infections.
- Five Moments for Hand Hygiene (WHO):
- Before touching a patient.
- Before performing a clean or aseptic procedure.
- After exposure to bodily fluids and glove removal.
- After contact with a patient and their immediate surroundings.
- After touching an inanimate object in the patient's immediate surroundings.
Biological Sterilization Methods
- Kills all microorganisms, including spores.
-
Radiation:
- UV light: Limited sterilizing power due to poor penetration.
- Ionizing radiation: More effective due to higher energy; used for sterilizing disposable medical supplies.
-
Filtration: Removes most bacteria but viruses and some small bacteria can pass through.
- Adequate for heat-labile substances.
Chemical Sterilization Methods
- Used for heat-sensitive materials.
- Ethylene Oxide Chamber: Kills microorganisms by alkylating DNA molecules.
- Chamber Activated Alkaline Glutaraldehyde 2%: Immerse item in solution for 20 minutes; longer for Mycobacterium tuberculosis or spores.
Hospital Disinfection Methods
- Floors and walls: Phenolics fluids 1-2%.
- Surfaces and tables: Hypochlorite, Alcohol.
- Surgeon's hands: Chlorhexidine, Iodine, alcohol.
- Patient Skin: 70% Alcohol, Iodine.
- Endoscopes: Glutaraldehyde 2% (Cidex), subatmospheric steam.
- Thermometers: 70% Alcohol.
Important Points
- Any instrument used for sterile body sites should be sterile.
- Any instrument used for non-sterile body sites can be disinfected.
- Handwashing is crucial to prevent hospital acquired infections.
Epidemic
- The rapid spread of a disease to a large number of hosts within a given population in a short period of time.
Pandemic
- An epidemic that spreads across multiple countries, usually affecting many people.
Endemic
- The usual level of a disease within a specific geographic area or population.
Worst Outbreak History
- 1793 Yellow Fever Epidemic: Viral disease with fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains.
- 1817-1823 Cholera Pandemic: Acute diarrheal illness caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
- 1918 Influenza (Spanish Flu): Viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs.
- 1918-1922 Typhus Fevers: A group of diseases caused by bacteria and spread by fleas, lice, and chiggers.
- Malaria: Serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquitos.
- AIDS: Caused by HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) which weakens the immune system.
Principles of Outbreak Management
- Detect and investigate outbreaks.
- Limit secondary cases.
- Manage outbreaks according to legislation, regulations, standards, and protocols.
Why Investigate Outbreaks?
- Determine the cause of the disease.
- Identify the source of infection.
- Determine the mode of transmission.
- Understand who is at risk.
- Control and prevent additional illnesses.
Effective Outbreak Management Steps
- Surveillance and early detection.
- Case finding.
- Post-quarantine.
- Isolation and quarantine.
- Contact tracing.
- Evaluation.
Steps of an Outbreak Investigation
- Establish existence of an outbreak: Determine if there is an unusual increase in cases.
- Verify the Diagnosis: Confirm the diagnosis of the suspected disease.
- Define and identify cases: Identify all individuals with the illness.
- Perform descriptive epidemiology: Gather information about the outbreak, including time, place, and person.
- Determine who is at risk: Identify individuals who are more likely to be affected by the outbreak.
- Develop hypotheses: Identify potential causes and sources of the outbreak.
- Evaluate hypotheses: Test the hypotheses using additional data and analysis.
- Perform additional studies: Conduct further investigations to gather additional information.
- Implement control and prevention measures: Take steps to stop the spread of the disease.
- Communicate findings: Share information about the outbreak with relevant parties.
Outbreak Investigation Focus:
- Organism: Identify the causative agent.
- Source: Identify the original source or reservoir of the disease.
- Mode of Transmission: Determine how the disease is spread from person to person.
- Host: Identify the individuals at risk and their characteristics.
Case Finding
- Identify and track individuals with the suspected illness to provide necessary support and prevent further spread.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the stages of the infectious process and effective infection control measures. This quiz covers key concepts such as carriers, isolation, and the infection chain. Ideal for those studying health and disease transmission.
