Questions and Answers
What does endogenous mean?
What does exogenous mean?
What are nosocomial infections?
Infections acquired by a person while in a healthcare facility.
What is the role of an infection preventionist?
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What are opportunistic infections?
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What does the chain of infection refer to?
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What is an infectious agent?
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What is a reservoir in the context of infection?
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What are fomites?
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What is a portal of exit?
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What does mode of transmission mean?
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What is direct contact transmission?
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What is indirect contact transmission?
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What is airborne transmission?
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What is a susceptible host?
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Pathogens are microorganisms that cause infection and disease.
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Nonpathogens are harmful microorganisms.
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What is respiratory hygiene?
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What are cocci?
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What is a bacillus?
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What are spirilla?
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What are staphylococci?
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What are flagella?
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Study Notes
Classification of Infections
- Endogenous: Infection arises from within the body.
- Exogenous: Pathogen enters the body from an external environment.
- Nosocomial: Infections acquired during stay in a healthcare facility.
Infection Control
- Infection Preventionist: Professionals managing infection control programs; aim to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
- Chain of Infection: Sequence of factors necessary for disease transmission from one individual to another.
Types of Infections
- Opportunistic: Occur when the immune system is weakened; generally do not affect individuals with robust immunity.
- Infectious Agent: Refers to the pathogen responsible for causing the infection.
- Reservoir: Environment or host where infectious agents can live and multiply.
Transmission Methods
- Fomites: Inanimate objects that can harbor and transmit microorganisms.
- Portal of Exit: The route through which the infectious agent escapes the reservoir, often through body fluids.
- Mode of Transmission: The mechanism by which infectious agents are transferred to a new host.
Routes of Transmission
- Direct Contact: Infections spread through physical contact or droplets.
- Contact Transmission: Involves skin-to-skin contact, kissing, sexual activities, or handling contaminated materials.
- Droplet Transmission: Occurs with larger droplets expelled through talking, coughing, or sneezing; droplets do not linger in the air.
- Indirect Contact: Involves transmission via airborne particles or vehicles.
- Airborne Transmission: Infectious particles remain suspended in the air, facilitating longer-range transmission.
- Vehicleborne Transmission: Involves objects like food, water, or surfaces that carry pathogens.
- Vectorborne Transmission: Insects or animals transmit pathogens (e.g., mosquitoes, fleas).
Host Factors
- Portal of Entry: Pathway through which pathogens enter a new host.
- Susceptible Host: An individual capable of becoming infected by a pathogen.
Hygiene Practices
- Respiratory Hygiene: Simple methods to minimize the spread of pathogens between individuals.
Microorganisms Classification
- Nonpathogens: Microorganisms that are normal flora and beneficial for body processes.
- Pathogens: Microorganisms that cause disease and infection.
Disease Types
- Infectious Disease: Result of pathogenic microorganisms invading a host.
- Communicable Disease: Infectious diseases transmittable between individuals.
Microorganisms Overview
- Bacteria: Single-celled organisms classified by shape and arrangement; reproduce quickly.
- Protozoa: Simplest forms of life in the animal kingdom.
- Fungi: Plant-like organisms found in various environments.
- Viruses: Smallest microorganisms requiring host cells for reproduction; can damage host cells.
Bacterial Shapes
- Cocci: Spherical-shaped bacteria.
- Bacillus: Rod-shaped bacteria.
- Spirilla: Spiral-shape bacteria.
- Diplococci: Cocci that appear in pairs.
- Streptococci: Bacteria forming chains.
- Staphylococci: Cluster-forming bacteria, like grape bunches; responsible for abscesses and boils.
Bacterial Mobility
- Flagella: Tail-like structures that enable bacteria movement, mostly found in bacilli.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the classification of diseases and infections with these microbiology flashcards. Each card provides essential definitions related to infections, including endogenous, exogenous, and nosocomial terms. Perfect for students looking to enhance their understanding of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.