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Questions and Answers
What does infectivity refer to in the context of infectious diseases?
What does infectivity refer to in the context of infectious diseases?
Which phase describes the time period before the onset of disease in the natural history of an infection?
Which phase describes the time period before the onset of disease in the natural history of an infection?
What is the primary purpose of standard precautions in infection prevention?
What is the primary purpose of standard precautions in infection prevention?
What best describes the term 'host' in the context of infectious diseases?
What best describes the term 'host' in the context of infectious diseases?
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During which part of the infectious disease process does the active disease phase occur?
During which part of the infectious disease process does the active disease phase occur?
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What do standard precautions not include?
What do standard precautions not include?
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Which factor does not contribute to the virulence of an infectious agent?
Which factor does not contribute to the virulence of an infectious agent?
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What is an example of a portal of exit for a microorganism?
What is an example of a portal of exit for a microorganism?
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Which mode of transmission is characterized by the transfer of infectious agents via droplet nuclei?
Which mode of transmission is characterized by the transfer of infectious agents via droplet nuclei?
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Which of the following is not considered a component of universal precautions?
Which of the following is not considered a component of universal precautions?
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Which aspect does not describe the reservoir of an infectious agent?
Which aspect does not describe the reservoir of an infectious agent?
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What defines surgical asepsis?
What defines surgical asepsis?
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Which of the following best describes a nosocomial infection?
Which of the following best describes a nosocomial infection?
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Study Notes
Infectious Disease Process
- The study covers the review of modes and mechanisms of transmission of infectious diseases.
- The objectives of the unit include describing the concepts of infection, infectious & infectivity, defining terms related to infection prevention and control, explaining the infectious disease process (chain of infection), and explaining the dynamics of disease transmission.
Natural History
- The natural history of a disease traces its progress in an infected individual, excluding any medical intervention.
- This progression typically follows a pattern from exposure to recovery/disability or death.
Natural History: Phases
- Pre-pathogenesis: The period before disease onset, characterized by favorable conditions for infection.
- Pathogenesis: The active disease phase, lasting until its conclusion.
Definition of Terms
- Infection: The entry and establishment of an infectious agent within a host. Alternatively, it's the presence of a microorganism in host tissue, where it grows, multiplies, inducing an immune response causing signs & symptoms.
- Infectivity: The ability of a microorganism to lodge and multiply successfully within a host.
- Host: A living organism where an infectious agent can reside and reproduce.
Standard Precautions
- Standard precautions are minimum infection prevention practices for all patient care, regardless of their infection status.
- Standard precautions assume everyone has infectious agents in their blood or body fluids
- Elements include hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), respiratory hygiene (cough etiquette), safe handling of sharps, proper equipment decontamination, and safe laundry/waste management practices.
Universal Precautions
- Universal precautions treat all human blood and body fluids as if they are infected with HIV or other bloodborne pathogens.
- These precautions mandate infection prevention and control measures.
Homework - Terms to Define
- Asepsis: The absence of disease-causing microorganisms.
- Medical asepsis: Maintaining cleanliness to reduce the spread of pathogens.
- Surgical asepsis: Ensuring a completely sterile environment free of microorganisms.
- Aseptic technique: Practices used to maintain an aseptic environment
- Isolation: Separating infected individuals to prevent further transmission.
- Reverse Isolation: A method for protecting immunocompromised patients and others from infection.
- Barrier nursing: Using physical barriers to prevent infection transmission.
- Nosocomial infection: An infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare facility
- Standard precautions: Infection prevention practices applicable to all patient interactions
- Transmission-based precautions: Additional precautions for patients known or suspected to have highly transmissible infections.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety equipment such as gloves and masks to prevent exposure to infections.
Disease Transmission
- Disease transmission is any method through which an infectious agent spreads to or through the environment.
Chain of Infection
- The chain of infection describes stages from an infectious agent, the reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, to a conducive and susceptible host.
Infectious Agent
- An infectious agent is a microorganism (bacteria, virus, fungi, parasites) capable of causing infection.
- The agent's virulence, invasiveness, and pathogenicity determine its potential to cause disease.
Reservoir
- A reservoir is a place where infectious agents thrive and reproduce, including humans, animals, and inanimate objects like water.
Portal of Exit
- A portal of exit is a bodily opening, like the nose, mouth, or sores, through which an infectious agent can leave a reservoir.
Mode of Transmission
- Modes (means) of disease transmission include contact (direct and indirect), droplet, airborne, vector, and common vehicle transmission.
Portal of Entry
- The portal of entry is the way an infectious agent enters a susceptible host (through ingestion, breathing, damaged skin).
Susceptible Host
- A susceptible host lacks immunity or resistance to infection. Compromised immune systems increase the likelihood of infection.
Modes of Transmission: Detailed
- Airborne: Infection spread via dust or particles (<5 microns) dispersed by air currents.
- Droplet: Transmission involving large droplets (≥ 5microns) propelled short distances. These droplets may land directly or indirectly on susceptible hosts or objects.
- Contact: Transmission via direct physical touch or indirect contact via contaminated objects.
- Vector: Transmission involving animals or insects carrying and transmitting the infectious agent.
- Common Vehicle: Transmission involving a shared contaminated source (food, water, medication, or equipment).
Infection Control Measures
- Direct Contact Transmission: Transmission via direct physical contact with an infected individual. Touching, shaking hands, or close proximity interactions can transmit infection.
- Indirect Contact Transmission: Transmission of microorganisms via an object. Touching surfaces containing microorganisms and contaminating other surfaces.
Hand Hygiene
- Hand hygiene is a critical infection control practice focused on cleaning hands before and after patient contact. Five moments for hand hygiene: before and after patient contact, before and after procedure/exposing body fluids, and after touching a patient's surrounding environment.
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Description
This quiz examines the fundamental aspects of the infectious disease process, focusing on transmission mechanisms and infection dynamics. It also covers the natural history of diseases, including pre-pathogenesis and pathogenesis phases. Test your understanding of key concepts and terminology related to infection prevention and control.
