3: GI infection control Flashcards
What causes GI infections in the community?
Cross-contamination
Undercooking
Poor storage of food
Poor reheating of food
Which bacteria causes hospital-related diarrhoea?
C. difficile
Clostridium difficile produces ___ which produce disease.
toxins
C. difficile is part of the normal gut flora. When does infection occur?
Broad spectrum antibiotics reduce compeition and allow C. diff to increase in number
Is C. diff killed by alcohol gel?
No
requires proper handwashing
What are the symptoms of C. diff infection?
Diarrhoea +/- blood
Abdominal pain
What is a serious complication of C. diff infection?
Bowel dilation
Perforation
Peritonitis
more common in vulnerable patients.
How is C. diff infection treated?
Less severe = oral metronidazole
More severe = oral vancomycin
Which drugs should be avoided when treating C. diff infection?
4 Cs:
Cephalosporins like ceftriaxone
Clindamycin
Ciprofloxacin
Co-amoxiclav
Is C. diff gram positive or gram negative?
Gram positive
Clostridium difficile is a gram (positive / negative) (coccus / bacillus).
positive
bacillus
What forms on the colon of someone with a C. diff infection?
Pseudomembrane
What does a GDH test confirm?
C. diff infection
After a GDH test, what other test is done to confirm C. diff infection?
Toxin test
If the GDH test is positive, what does that mean?
Positive for C. diff infection
If the GDH test is negative but the toxin test is positive, what does that mean?
Positive for C. diff infection
If the GDH test is positive but the toxin test is negative, what does that mean?
Indeterminate result
What are two examples of viruses which cause diarrhoea?
Rotavirus
Norovirus
What is a virus which commonly causes diarrhoea and vomiting in children less than 5 years old?
Rotavirus
Rotavirus infection in children tends to be (self-limiting / severe).
self-limiting
Rotavirus infection causes dehydration. How is this treated?
Rehydration therapy
A vaccine now exists for rotavirus. What type of vaccine is this?
Live attenuated
Virus is still “alive” but has been altered to be less virulent
Which virus is also known as the “winter vomiting bug” and is highly infectious?
Norovirus
What symptoms are associated with norovirus infection?
Sudden onset explosive D&V
At which point in the infection are patients most infectious?
Diarrhoea stage
Patients, particularly with C. diff and norovirus infection, should be isolated in ___ ___.
side rooms
Which infections would prompt you to send a patient to the ID unit?
E. coli 0157
Salmonella
Norovirus
C. difficile
___ hygiene is important in infection control.
Hand
If you develop D&V, how long should you stay off work for?
Who should be informed?
48 hours after symptoms have stopped
OHSAS
