Infectious Disease Prevention

Question 1

Infection can be caused by a variety of _____________ – v, b, f, protozoa and other parasites. These pathogens can be microscopic organisms, invisible to the human eye

Answer 1

Pathogens:
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi

Question 2

Some pathogens are more ______________, making them difficult for the body’s immune system to fight off.

Answer 2

Virolent

Question 3

Infection causing pathogens are mainly carried via the following five routes:

Answer 3

Infection causing pathogens are mainly carried via the following five routes:
1. Airborne
2. Respiratory droplets
3. Food borne
4. Blood
5. Contact – direct or indirect

Question 4

Airborne Infections transmitted include:

Answer 4

Infections transmitted in this way include:

• Tuberculosis
• Influenza
• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Question 5

The pathogen is transmitted by contact with the droplets or material carrying these respiratory droplets.

Examples are:

Answer 5

The pathogen is transmitted by contact with the droplets or material carrying these respiratory droplets.

Examples are:

• Meningococcal meningitis
• Meningococcal septicaemia
• Bordetella pertussis (Whooping cough)

Question 6

Some pathogens can be carried in food and spread through poor food hygiene practices. Examples are:

Answer 6

Some pathogens can be carried in food and spread through poor food hygiene practices. Examples are:

• Campylobacter jejuni
• Salmonella
• Hepatitis A
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Noroviruses

Question 7

Some pathogens are carried in the blood, for example:

Answer 7

Some pathogens are carried in the blood, for example:

• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

Some can be carried in blood and other high risk body fluids (e.g. semen, breast milk, saliva)

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Question 8

____________is the most common route by which infections are spread in care settings.

Answer 8

Contact is the most common route by which infections are spread in care settings.

Question 9

The effectiveness of handwashing activity is influenced by four criteria:

Answer 9

The effectiveness of handwashing activity is influenced by four criteria:
Temperature of the water
Length of time taken
Amount of friction
Use of chemicals