Infection Model

Question 1

Describe the infection model

Answer 1

Pathogen + Patient –> mechanism or disease –> Infection –> management –> Infection

Question 2

What are the patient factors in infections?

Answer 2

Patient age, gener, physiological state, pathological state and social factors.
The time of year.
The time of exposure.
Places they have been and are there any known outbreaks.

Question 3

List mechanisms of infection

Answer 3

Direct spread
Inoculation (needle stick injury)
Haematogenous (spread through blood)
Ingestion 
Inhalation 
Vector 
Verticle

Question 4

What two ways can an infection cause damage to the host?

Answer 4

Directly through toxins or indirectly by stimulating an immune response and resulting in inflammation.

Question 5

What are the broad subheadings of infection management?

Answer 5

Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention

Question 6

What things are involved in making the diagnosis?

Answer 6

History, Investigations and Examinations

Question 7

How do we treat infections?

Answer 7

Supportively (symptomatic relief and physiological restoration) and specific treatment (surgical and antimicrobial)

Question 8

How do we prevent spread?

Answer 8

Hand hygiene, Personal protective equipment, isolation.

Question 9

What are the potential outcomes of infections?

Answer 9

Cure, chronic inflammation, disability and death