An Infection Model

Question 1

What are mechanisms of infection

Answer 1

1) haematogenous ( blood spread)
2) ingestion.
3) inhalation
4) vector
5) vertical transmission ( mother to child )
6) contiguous( direct spread eg sexual inter course)

Question 2

Outline the mechanism of infection

Answer 2

1) microorganism attaches to the host cell
2) this can interact with host defences which causes inflammation = host damage
3) or the microorganisms can release toxins which causes direct host damage.

Question 3

How do we manage patients with infection ?

Answer 3

1) take a history
2) take an examination
3) take an investigation ( specific or supportive )
4) treatment ( can be specific or supportive )

5)

Question 4

What can treatment involve ?

Answer 4

1) specific supportive treatment
2) antimicrobial ( SPECIFIC)
3) surgery ( drainage , debridement ( removal of dead or dying tissue), dead space removal) ( SPECIFIC)
4) symptom relief , physiological restoration ( SUPPORTIVE)

Question 5

What can an untreated infection lead to ?

Answer 5

• chronic infection
• disability
• death

Question 6

Outline the basic principles of the infection model

Answer 6

Pathogen + patient = infection = management = outcome

Mechanism of infection is just before infection .