21 - Transmission of Infection

Question 1

What impact can pandemic flu outbreaks have on different sectors of the UK?

Answer 1

Health Services: increased pressure due to increased number of patients requiring treatment and depletion of workforce due to illness

Business: Peak absenteeism will double in private and public sector decreasing productivity

Schools and Other: spread will be quick in schools and close communities. Police, Fire, Military, Fuel supply, Food production, distribution and transport will all be affected

Question 2

What do we know about pandemic waves?

Answer 2

• Viruses normally come in waves with gaps of weeks or months
• Subsequent waves are often worse than the first

Question 3

How can we reduce the impact that a pandemic would have on the UK?

Answer 3

- Detection: serology, culture and rapid tests

- Personal Interventions: hand hygeine, respiratory hygeine, avoiding non-essential travel and big crowds like concerts

Question 4

Who gets vaccines for viral pandemics?

Answer 4

• Take four to six months to produce
• First given to health care workers, clinical risk groups then institutional settings then the general population

Question 5

What is the government response to a pandemic outbreak?

Answer 5

COBRA

Question 6

What factors affect the transmission of infection?

Answer 6

Question 7

What are some examples of diseases spread by:

• Droplets
• Direct contact/Indirect
• Airborne Particles

Answer 7

• SARS, adenovirus
• MRSA, C.Diff
• TB, chicken pox, aspergillus

Question 8

What PPE is used for the different modes of transmission of disease?

Answer 8

Contact: gloves and apron

Droplet: surgical face mask, eye protection, gloves and apron

Airborne: Filter mask N95, Eye protection, Head wear, aprons, double glove, disposable footwear