Different infections Flashcards
How is Ebola identified or diagnosed?
By taking blood samples from the patient displaying symptoms that has came in contact with the blood or body fluids of a person sick with Ebola; contact with objects that have been contaminated with the blood or body fluids of a person sick with Ebola. The virus is detected in blood only after onset of symptoms, most notably fever.
Diagnostic test available include: *antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing
*IgM ELISA
*Polymerase chain reaction
*IgM and IgG antibodies
How is Ebola transmitted?
- Through direct contact with blood or body fluids including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breastmilk, and semen of a person who is sick with Ebola
- Objects like needles and syringes that have been contaminated with the virus
Who are susceptible groups at risk of exposure for Ebola?
Healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients are the highest risk because they may come in contact with the blood or body fluids of sick patients.
What are the symptoms of Ebola?
Fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, unexplained hemorrhage
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola but the average is 8 to 10 days
What is the treatment for a patient with Ebola?
There is no FDA approved vaccine or medicine available for Ebola. Symptoms of Ebola and complications are treated as they appear. The following basic interventions, when used early, can significantly improve the chances of survival:
- Providing IV fluids and balancing electrolytes
- Maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure
- Treating other infections if they occur
How is MRSA transmitted?
Primarily spread through direct and indirect contact with infected or colonized patients. Poor adherence to standard infection control precautions can lead to transmission between patients and to clusters of infections. Adherence to infection control measures is critical to preventing MRSA outbreaks.
Who is at risk for C diff?
Anyone with antibiotic exposure (most common)
Patients in long care stay
Patients coming from surgery
What are some prevention precautions for MRSA?
Standard precautions as well as putting patient on contact isolation
Hand hygiene
Recognize previously colonized patients
How is TB spread?
Airborne. TB is spread through the air from one person to another the TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
What are the symptoms of TB?
A bad cough that last 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever, sweating at night
What are the risk factors for TB?
Once a person is infected with TB bacteria, the chance of developing TB disease is higher if the person has HIV infection, has been recently infected with TB bacteria, has other health problems like diabetes that make it hard for the body to fight bacteria, abuses alcohol or uses illegal drugs, was not treated correctly for TB infection in the past
What is the best way to disinfect a room where the patient had C diff?
Soap and water. Alcohol does not work
What is C diff and how is it spread?
An anaerobic gram positive bacterium, and is shed in feces. Any surface, device, or material that becomes contaminated with feces may serve as a reservoir for the C diff spores. They are transferred to patients mainly via the hands of healthcare personnel who have touched a contaminated surface or item
What are the prevention precautions for Ebola?
There is no FDA approved vaccine available for Ebola. If you travel to or are in an area affected by in a bowl of outbreak, make sure you do the following:
- Practice careful hygiene
- Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids such as clothing, bedding, needles, or medical equipment
Healthcare providers:
- Where appropriate PPE
- Practice proper infection control and sterilization measures
- Isolate patients with Ebola from other patients
What type of prevention/isolation precautions do you have with a TB patient?
Airborne precautions, wearing an N95 mask, hand washing
Should always get yearly TB test
