11C: General Infection Flashcards
What is the definition of infection?
Process in which an organism creates a parasitic relationship with host
Describe tissue damage with infection
Can be localized or systemic
What is colonization?
Infection that may not show symptoms or actually cause the disease - skin conditions, nasal congestion
What is virulence?
How severe or strong the infection is
Why has life expectancy increased over the past 50 years?
Vaccinations
What are the five natural protective mechanisms for infection?
- Skin
- Mucous membranes
- Respiratory tract
- Intestinal tract acidity
- Genitourinary tract lining
What are methods of transmission for infection?
Coughing, sneezing, urinary, blood, secretions, feces, wounds, tears, saliva
What are examples of direct transmission?
Fecal, oral, sexual, human bites, respiratory, contact with sore
What are examples of indirect transmission?
Objects, tick bites, mosquito bites, food, soil
What are HAI?
Health care associated infection - infections transmitted during hospital stay
What is the incidence of HAI?
1/31 pt’s
What are the most common HAIs?
Bloodstream infections for IVs, UTI from catheters, pneumonia from ventilation, wound infections
What are methods to decrease HAI?
- General safety precautions
- Isolation precautions
- Disposal of soiled materials
- Minimize risk factors that put people at higher risk
Why should the pt take the full course of antibiotics?
If they stop, the remaining bacteria can develop resistance
What are examples of bacterial infections?
Staphylococcus, streptococcus, pseudomonas, c-diff
