9. Infection Prevention Flashcards
How are infections transmissible?
From non-human source to humans
From person to person - directly or indirectly
What are common sources of infections?
Environmental - eg. Legionella pneumophila
Food/water - food poisoning organisms
Animals - e.g. rabies
Give some examples of person to person infections
Influenza
Norovirus
Neisseria gonorrhoea
What is an endemic disease?
Usual background rate of a disease
What is an outbreak?
Two or more cases of disease linked in time and place
What is an epidemic?
A rate of infection greater than the usual background rate
What is a pandemic?
Very high rate of infection spreading across many regions, countries or continents
What is R0?
Basic reproduction number
Average number of cases one case generates over the course of its infectious period, in an otherwise uninfected, non-immune population
What are reasons for outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics?
New pathogen - antigens, virulence factors, antibacterial resistance
New host - non-immunes, healthcare effects, newborns
New practice - social, healthcare
What are factors determine in transmissibility?
Infectious dose - number of microorganisms required to cause infection
Varies by microorganism, presentation of microorganism, immunity of potential host
What are the possible interventions on a pathogen or vector level?
Reduce/eradicate pathogen - antibacterials including disinfectants, decontamination, sterilisation
Reduce/eradicate vector - eliminate vector breeding sites
What are the possible interventions on a patient level?
Improved health - nutrition, medical treatment
Immunity - passive (maternal antibody, IV immunoglobulin), active (vaccination)
What is herd immunity?
Vaccinating proportion of community which protects the entire community
E.g. 95% of population need to be vaccinated to protect the entire population
What are the interventions on a practice level?
Avoidance of pathogen or its vector - geographic, protective clothing/equipment, behavioural
What are the interventions at a place level?
Environmental engineering - safe water, safe air, good quality housing, well designed healthcare facilities
