week4: Infection control

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Questions and Answers

What are microorganisms that do not cause disease called?

Normal flora (correct)

Pathogens

Contagious organisms

Infectious agents

Which of the following is NOT a type of infectious agent?

Parasites

Fungi

Vaccines (correct)

Bacteria

What is the primary role of a reservoir host in the chain of infection?

To transmit the pathogen

To provide a suitable environment for the pathogen to grow (correct)

To initiate the body's defense mechanisms

To ward off infection

Which of the following is considered a portal of exit for a pathogen?

Wound drainage Signup and view all the answers

Infection occurs when which of the following take place?

Microorganisms invade and grow in body tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a carrier in the chain of infection?

A person who can transmit a pathogen without exhibiting symptoms Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes anaerobic microorganisms?

They do not require oxygen to live Signup and view all the answers

What must happen in the route of transmission for an infection to spread?

A new host must come into contact with contaminated material Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a portal of entry for pathogens?

Mouth Signup and view all the answers

What is a symptom of a localized infection?

Pain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a natural defense mechanism?

Vaccination Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunity involves the individual developing antibodies over time?

Active immunity Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to prevent the transmission of microorganisms?

Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) Signup and view all the answers

What role do leukocytes play in the body’s defense mechanisms?

Destroy pathogens Signup and view all the answers

What action can effectively break the chain of infection?

Using antiseptics to clean surfaces Signup and view all the answers

What type of infection is characterized by symptoms affecting the whole body?

Generalized infection Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Medical Asepsis?

Reduction in number of infectious agents Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT included in Standard Precautions?

Sweat Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a sterile field in Surgical Asepsis?

It signifies an area free of all microorganisms Signup and view all the answers

How can infection control be achieved through isolation precautions?

By minimizing the transfer of disease between patient and worker Signup and view all the answers

Which safety measure is important for handling bio-spills according to Standard Precautions?

Wearing protective gloves Signup and view all the answers

What is a method to prevent contamination during surgical procedures?

Certifying sterile instruments before use Signup and view all the answers

Which category of Isolation Precautions includes measures for airborne diseases?

Airborne Precautions Signup and view all the answers

What role does good handwashing technique play in Medical Asepsis?

It helps reduce the number of infectious agents Signup and view all the answers

Which mode of transmission is NOT associated with Hepatitis B virus (HBV)?

Airborne transmission Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Hepatitis D from other hepatitis viruses?

It appears only as a co-infection with Hepatitis B. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about HIV is incorrect?

HIV positive individuals have AIDS. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of tuberculosis (TB)?

It is an airborne disease. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Hepatitis C is true?

Hepatitis C is primarily spread by contact with blood. Signup and view all the answers

Which route is NOT a method of HIV transmission?

Inhalation of airborne particles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a source of nosocomial infections?

Direct skin contact by medical personnel Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Hepatitis A is accurate?

It can be prevented by a vaccine. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Microorganisms

Very small, single-celled organisms that are found everywhere
Can't be seen with the naked eye
Can be aerobic (need oxygen) or anaerobic (don't need oxygen)
Thrive in warm, moist, dark environments with a food source.
Human bodies are the ideal environment for some microorganisms.

Normal Flora

Microorganisms that don't cause disease
Commonly found in certain areas of the body (skin, vagina, intestines)

Chain of Infection

Six elements must be present for an infection to occur

Infectious Agent

The pathogen that causes the infection
Examples include: bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsia, and protozoa.

Reservoir Host

Where the pathogen lives and multiplies
Examples: Human body, contaminated water or food, animals, insects, birds, dead or decaying organic material.
Carriers are humans or animals who can transmit the pathogen but don't have symptoms of the disease.

Portal of Exit

How the pathogen leaves the reservoir host
Examples: Blood, urine, feces, breaks in the skin, wound drainage, and body secretions (saliva, mucus, reproductive fluids).

Route of Transmission

How the pathogen travels from the reservoir host to a new host
Examples: Air, food, insects, direct contact with an infected person.

Portal of Entry

How the pathogen enters the new host
Examples: Mouth, nostrils, breaks in the skin.

Susceptible Host

Someone with a large number of pathogens invading their body or who doesn't have adequate resistance to the invading pathogen
Will become infected with the disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Infections

Generalized or systemic: Affecting the whole body
- Fever, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, increased pulse and respirations.
Localized: Affecting one area of the body
- Redness, swelling, warmth to the touch, drainage, pain.

Defense Mechanisms

Help the body resist infections
Natural defenses:
- Cilia (in respiratory tract), coughing, sneezing, tears, hydrochloric acid in the stomach, mucous membranes, fever, increased leukocytes (white blood cells).
Acquired immunity:
- Active immunity: The body makes its own antibodies to fight the pathogen
- Passive immunity: Antibodies are received from another source (like through injections)

Breaking the Chain of Infection

Breaking at least one link in the chain will prevent the infection.
Healthcare professionals use practices and techniques to break the chain.

How to Reduce the Source of Microorganisms

Perform proper handwashing
Decontaminate surfaces and equipment using antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilization
Avoid contact with patients

How to Prevent Transmission of Microorganisms

Wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) as needed. Examples: caps, gloves, gowns, masks, booties, eye protection.
Follow isolation procedures when indicated.

How to Maximize Host Resistance

Provide good hygiene
Ensure proper nutrition and fluid intake
Decrease stressors that can weaken the immune response.

Methods of Infection Control

Medical Asepsis: Reduces the number of infectious agents (not complete elimination). Examples: Handwashing, simple cleanliness.
Sterilization (Surgical Asepsis): Eliminates all microorganisms from objects and areas. Examples: Sterile technique, sterile field.
Standard Precautions: Followed to prevent contact with potentially infectious body fluids.
Isolation Precautions (Transmission-Based Precautions): Used to reduce the risk of airborne, droplet, and contact transmission.

Standard Precautions

Apply to all patients.
Include:
- Handwashing
- Gloving
- Use PPE (gloves, gowns, facemask, goggles, bags)
- Avoid recapping needles (use one-handed scoop technique)
- Clean bio-spills appropriately (wear gloves).

Isolation Precautions (Transmission-Based Precautions)

Used in conjunction with Standard Precautions
Two main categories:
- Reducing transfer of disease from patient to workers
- Reducing transfer of disease from workers to patients
Types:
- Airborne Precautions Used for pathogens that can be transmitted through the air (e.g. TB, measles, chickenpox).
- Droplet Precautions Used for pathogens that are transmitted through respiratory droplets (e.g. influenza, pneumonia, pertussis).
- Contact Precautions: Used for pathogens that can be transmitted through direct contact with the patient or their environment (e.g. MRSA, C. difficile).

Infectious Diseases

Hepatitis
AIDS-HIV
TB

Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Major infectious blood-borne occupational hazard for healthcare professionals.
Routes of transmission:
- Parenteral (blood transfusion, needle sharing, needle sticks, sharps injuries)
- Mucous membranes (blood contamination of the eye or mouth)
- Sexual contact
- Perinatal (infected mother to newborn)

Other Hepatitis Types

Hepatitis A: Transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces.
Hepatitis C: Primarily spread through contact with blood or blood products; sexual transmission can occur but is less common; no vaccine for HCV.
Hepatitis D: Only appears as a co-infection with Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B vaccine provides protection from HDV.
Hepatitis E: Transmitted through food and water contaminated with feces; safe and effective vaccines are being developed.
Hepatitis B, C, and D are blood-borne.
Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food and water.

HIV

(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
HIV-positive: Individuals infected with the virus, but not yet developed AIDS.
AIDS: The immune system is weakened due to the virus.
Routes of transmission:
- Contaminated blood or needles
- Fluids containing blood
- Sexual transmission
- From mother to fetus via the placenta
- Breast milk

Tuberculosis (TB)

Chronic disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Primarily affects the lungs, but can infect other parts of the body (e.g., spine, bones).
Airborne disease transmitted through the air from one person to another (coughing, sneezing, speaking, singing).
A communicable disease.

Nosocomial Infections

From the Latin word "nosocomium," meaning hospital.
An infection acquired in a hospital.
Sources:
- Medical Personnel: Direct contact, ingestion, inhalation. Examples: food handlers, surgeons, etc.
- Patient's own flora: When the patient's normal flora becomes pathogenic.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of microorganisms, including their role as infectious agents and normal flora in the human body. Learn about the chain of infection and how different pathogens thrive in various environments. Test your knowledge on how infections occur and the factors involved in disease transmission.