Infection 8 Infection Prevention Flashcards
Consequences of transmission
Endemic disease
Outbreak
Epidemic
Pandemic
Endemic disease meaning
The usual background rate
Outbreak meaning
Two or more cases linked in time and place
Epidemic meaning
Rate of infection greater than usual background rate
Pandemic meaning
Very high rate of infection spreading across many countries + continents
What is Ro?
The average number of cases one case generates over the course of its infectious period in a non-immune population
What happens if Ro > 1?
Increase in cases
What happens if Ro = 1?
Stable number of cases
What happens if Ro < 1?
Decrease in cases
Reasons for outbreaks, epidemics + pandemics
New pathogen
New hosts
New practice
What is a differential diagnosis?
A list of potential diseases
What patients interventions can be done to decrease infection?
- Improved health - nutrition, medical treatments
- Immunity - passive + active
What pathogen interventions can be done to decrease infection?
- Reduce pathogen - disinfectants, decontamination, sterilisation
- Reduce vector - eliminate vector breeding sites
What practice interventions can be done to decrease infection?
- avoidance of pathogen - protective clothing, PPE, ‘don’t go there’
- behavioural - safe sex, safe disposal of sharps, food + drink preparation
What place interventions can be done to decrease infection?
- Environmental engineering - safe water, safe air, good quality housing, well designed healthcare facilities
