Summary

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the chain of infection, covering definitions, types of infectious agents, reservoirs, modes of transmission, and susceptible hosts. It also touches upon factors influencing susceptibility and methods of breaking the chain of infection, such as hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE).

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CHAIN OF INFECTION Notebook MICROPARA Chain of Infection and Breaking the Chain Infection Definition: Result of interaction between a susceptible host and an infectious agent, leading to disease....

CHAIN OF INFECTION Notebook MICROPARA Chain of Infection and Breaking the Chain Infection Definition: Result of interaction between a susceptible host and an infectious agent, leading to disease. Infectious Disease: Transmissible and communicable. Caused by microorganisms. Spread via direct or indirect contact, or zoonosis (animals to humans). CHAIN OF INFECTION 1 Suffixes in Medical Terms "-itis": Inflammation of (e.g., pharyngitis, appendicitis). "-emia": Presence of an infectious agent in the blood (e.g., bacteremia, viremia). "-osis": Disease process (e.g., leptospirosis, toxicosis). Infection Conditions Requires: Invasion of body tissues by disease-causing agents. A susceptible host. Multiplication and reaction of host tissues to toxins. Infectious Agents Types: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, helminths. Obligate pathogens: Only survive inside host cells. Facultative pathogens: Replicate outside but cause disease when encountering a susceptible host. Opportunistic pathogens: Benign but cause infection in injured or immunocompromised hosts. Reservoirs of Infection Human Reservoir: Passive Carriers: Uninfected but transfer infectious agents. Asymptomatic Carriers: Infected but without symptoms. Incubatory Carriers: Spread infection before showing symptoms. Convalescent Carriers: Recovered but still infectious. CHAIN OF INFECTION 2 Chronic Carriers: Continue to harbor the microorganism after infection. Animal Reservoir: Zoonosis—diseases spread from animals to humans (e.g., rabies, malaria). Environmental Reservoir: Found in plants, soil, water, and food (e.g., dysentery, food poisoning, tetanus). Portal of Exit The path the pathogen uses to leave its host (e.g., respiratory tract, bodily fluids). Mode of Transmission Direct Transmission: Skin contact, mucous membranes, kissing, sexual intercourse, droplet spread. Indirect Transmission: Airborne: Carried by dust or droplet nuclei in the air. Vehicle-borne: Occurs when an infectious agent is transmitted through a contaminated object or substance (like food, water, or medical instruments) that carries the pathogen into the body. Vector-borne: Occurs when an infectious agent is spread by a living organism (such as mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas) that carries the pathogen from one host to another. Portal of Entry The way the infectious agent enters a susceptible host (e.g., skin breaks, mucous membranes). Susceptible Host CHAIN OF INFECTION 3 Factors influencing susceptibility: Genetics: Some individuals are more susceptible due to genetic factors (e.g., sickle cell anemia and malaria resistance). Immunity: Vaccines, antibodies, placental transfer. Non-specific Defenses: Skin, mucous membranes, gastric acid, and more. Breaking the Chain of Infection Hand Hygiene: Use of alcohol-based hand rubs or washing with soap and water. Critical times to wash hands include: before/after meals, after using the toilet, after coughing, etc. Wound Coverage: Keep wounds covered to prevent infections. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Includes gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, etc. Key for infection control in healthcare settings. Hand Hygiene Best Practices Handwashing with soap is preferred, especially when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Alcohol-based sanitizers should contain at least 60% alcohol. Case Study: Typhoid Mary Trace the infection journey of Mary Mallon to understand the transmission of infectious diseases. Implications for Health Promotion Control at the source: Eliminate or control the infectious agent. CHAIN OF INFECTION 4 Interrupt transmission: Prevent the infectious agent from spreading. Protect entry points: Ensure wounds and other entry points are shielded from infection. Practice Test! Understanding Infection Transmission Test Questions | Quizlet Explore Quizlet's library of 10 Understanding Infection Transmission practice questions made to help you get ready for test day. Build custom practice tests, check your understanding, and find key focus areas so you can approach the exam with confidence https://quizlet.com/practice-test/practice-test-4553685e-9417-458f-8e80-2bf330ffe9a1?i=5e5cfc& x=1oqt&__overrideABs=FeatureAccess-practiceTests Understanding the Chain of Infection Flashcards Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Infection, Infectious Disease, -itis and more. https://quizlet.com/951770472/understanding-the-chain-of -infection-flash-cards/?i=5e5cfc&x=1jqt CHAIN OF INFECTION 5

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