Infection Prevention Flashcards
How can pathogens spread
From a common source - can be animate or inanimate
Person to person directly
Person to person indirectly, through a competent vector
What is the basic reproductive number
The average number of cases on case generates over the course of its infectious period, in an otherwise uninfected and non-immune population
What are the terms used to describe the spread of disease
Endemic
Outbreak
Epidemic
Pandemic
What are the reasons for outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics
New pathogen
New hosts - no immunity, immunosuppressed, etc
New practices in the community/healthcare system
What is the infectious dose
The number of microorganisms required to cause infection
What might you do to stop the spread of infection
Pathogen - reduction or eradication
Patient - imporved health, immunity
Practice - behavioural change, protective equipment
Place - environmental engineering
What are the consequences of infection control
Good - decreased incidence or elimination of pathogen
Bad - decreased exposure meaning increased susceptibility, later age of exposure with an increased severity
