chain of infection

Question 1

what are the 4 hazards of infection?

Answer 1

cause of the infection?

severity of infection?

vaccine and treatments available for the infection?

risk of spread of infection to the population?

Question 2

what is the chain of infection

Answer 2

infectious agent

reservoir

portal of exit

mode of transmission

portal of entry

susceptible host

Question 3

what is the infectious agent?

Answer 3

the pathogen that causes the infection

Question 4

what is the reservoir?

Answer 4

where the infection/pathogen is

this may be surfaces, within someone, medical equipment etc.

Question 5

what is the portal of exit?

Answer 5

how the pathogen leaves the reservoir

through coughing, splashes of fluid, open wounds, aerosols

Question 6

what is the portal of entry?

Answer 6

how the pathogen enters the host

open wounds, medical equipment e.g. IV drips or catheters, mucous membranes,

Question 7

what is the mode of transmission?

Answer 7

how the pathogen is transported from one individual/object to another

inhalation, ingestion, any contact without hand hygiene etc

Question 8

what is the susceptible host?

Answer 8

anyone who the pathogen enters

healthcare patients worse off.