infectious diseases Flashcards
infectious diseases are
A set of symptoms attributable to the introduction of a specific pathogen
Pathogens generally fall into three categories:
Bacteria, virus, and fungus
top 10 infectious diseases
HIV Stage III (Formerly AIDS) Chlamydia Gonorrhea Hepatitis B Lyme Disease Pertussis Salmonellosis Syphilis Shigellosis Tuberculosis
Others that OTs see
Cellulitis Compartment Syndrome Amputations Dog & cat bites Wounds - infected Burns Respiratory infections Arthritis - chronic inflammatory & autoimmune disorders Post encephalitis - post meningitis Hepatitis C
Illness severity is dependent on several factors
Virility of the pathogen Inherent disease trajectory Premorbid health of the person with infection Health related resources Access to quality care
Visual Aid
Recognition of the pathogen as foreign, isolation of the pathogen, and destruction of the pathogen and it is the immune system that attempts to interfere with the reproduction of pathogen
antigens attached to pathogen and stimulate the body’s production of antibodies
It is the immune system’ s job to limit the replication of pathogen (thus decreasing illness and its symptoms)
Pharmacology for infectious diseases
Science that developed antibiotic, antiviral, antiretroviral, and antifungal drugs to assist the immune system in fighting and resisting disease producing pathogens
Vaccines for infectious diseases
Use of small amounts of live or killed pathogens to trigger the immune responses that either prevent illness or minimize its effect
Skin and Soft Tissue Cellulitis
a rapidly spreading infection within the skin and the fatty subcutaneous tissue
Caused by bacteria, usually through a breach in the skin (may be microscopic), most common cause of cellulitis
Nonpurulent cellulitis
4 cardinal signs of infection for skin and soft tissue cellulitis
Erythema
Pain
Swelling
Warmth
Common Cellulitis Pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus
most common skin infection, usually occurs in open wounds or pus-filled pockets (abcesses)
Common Cellulitis Pathogens: Streptococcus pneumoniae
more common in the respiratory tract, but can spread rapidly in the skin
Can be a more serious infection with
Violaceous (purple) color
Bullae (fluid filled sac)
where is violaceous found?
in strep (respiratory but sometimes skin)
MRSA Mode of Transmission in Hospital
Most commonly by “transiently contaminated hands of healthcare workers”
Also from contaminated environmental surfaces and medical equipment
Healthcare workers can acquire MRSA from patient contact
And by contact with contaminated surfaces in hospital rooms
MRSA
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Bacteria resistant to many drugs (methicillin and other penicillin drugs
MSRA Treatment:
Vancomycin
Linezolid
MRSA patient risk factors
Prolonged ICU care
Invasive devices
Hemodialysis
Patients colonized with MRSA (MRSA can asymptomatically live in nose and on skin)
Contact with contaminated wounds or inanimate objects
Patients in rehabilitation facilities
Patients in nursing homes
hand washing
On average, healthcare providers
clean their hands less than half
of the times they should (CDC)
scrub for 20 sec
hand hygiene
use of alcohol-based hand rubs and handwashing with soap and water
Use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is the primary mode of hand hygiene in healthcare settings recommended by the CDC and WHO
Except when hands are visibly soiled (e.g., dirt, blood, body fluids) or after caring for patients with infectious diarrhea
It is active against a broad spectrum of epidemiologically important pathogens
Requires less time, irritates hands less, and facilitates hand hygiene at the patient bedside
Compared with soap and water, ABHR can increase compliance with recommended hand hygiene practices
sepsis (celllulitis complications)
Develops when the chemicals the immune system releases into the bloodstream to fight infection cause inflammation throughout the entire body
Body’s overwhelming response to infection
Can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death
Difficult to predict, diagnose, and treat
Systemic infection in the blood
Which can cause low blood pressure and organ damage
Increased risk of complications and death
Higher healthcare costs and longer treatment
Antibiotics Misuse a Factor
Antibiotic overuse and inappropriate use bear a heavy responsibility for creating the superbug crisis we are facing today
Pervasive misuse of antibiotics by the agriculture industry also plays a significant role
Agriculture accounts for about 80 percent of all antibiotics used in the US
MRSA prevention
Prevention: healthcare providers should
Maintain good hand hygiene (wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry)
Hand washing is the best preventative measure against the spread of infection
Wear gloves and gowns when with infected patients and when instructed
Wear gloves if break in skin (e.g. due to paper cut; abrasion)
Gloves are not a substitute for hand washing
worm diseases
Helminth (worm) infections infect 3 billion people (half the planet)
Most parasite infections are a nuisance, but can be serious and is the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality Lymphatic filariasis (round worms) live in the lymph system
Transmitted by mosquitoes primarily Asia & Africa
Repeated mosquito bites over months to yrs needed
Can cause elephantiasis
Infection Control Protocol
Include:
1) Hand hygiene
2) Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, gowns, masks)
3) Safe injection practices
4) Safe handling of potentially contaminated equipment or surfaces in the patient environment
5) Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
transmission-based precautions
Contact Precautions
For patients with known or suspected infections that represent an increased risk for contact transmission.
Droplet Precautions
For patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by respiratory droplets that are generated by a patient who is coughing, sneezing, or talking.
Airborne Precautions
For patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route (e.g., tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, disseminated herpes zoster).
