Infectious Pathogens Flashcards
microscopic pathogens that reproduce rapidly after entering the body.
releases toxins that damages tissues and cause illness.
BACTERIA
-Smaller than bacteria, a virus invades a host cell.
-replicates and produces hundreds and thousands of new virus that go on to infect more host cells
VIRUS
-there are thousands of species of fungi, some of which cause disease in humans.
-these conditions are contagious and can spread through person-to- person contact.
FUNGI
-These single-celled organisms cause disease in their host.
-they infect other organisms to survive and reproduce.
PROTISTS
-also known as helminths.
PARASITIC WORMS
-large enough for people to see with
the naked eye, and they can live in many areas of the body.
-ex. flatworms, thorny-head worms, roundworms.
Parasitic worms
A ____ refers to any place where infectious agents can persist and potentially cause infections.
reservoir of infection
can be living organisms, inanimate objects, or environmental sources where the infectious agent can thrive and multiply.
reservoirs
______ include humans, animals, and insects that harbor infectious agents without showing symptoms of illness. For example, a person with a common cold can be a reservoir of the virus and spread it to others.
Living reservoirs
Inanimate objects, also known as____, can serve as reservoirs when they become contaminated with infectious agents. Examples include doorknobs, medical instrument, and surfaces in healthcare settings.
fomites
____ refer to natural sources where infectious agents can survive and reproduce, such as soil, water, and food. These reservoirs can pose risks for transmission through various routes, including ingestion, inhalation, or contact with contaminated substances.
Environmental reservoir
Flora that are acquired by contact with an object is called_____.
transient flora
Another name for a pathogen is an ____ since they cause infections.
infectious agent
An ____ is the result of when a pathogen interacts with a host organism, leading to detrimental effects in the body.
infection
A series of stages that contributes to the manifestation of infections.
Cycle of infection
The process by which a pathogen spreads from one host to another.
TRANSMISSION OF DISEASES
____ transmission spread when disease-causing microorganisms pass from infected person to the healthy person via direct physical contact with blood or body fluids.
DIRECT CONTACT
occurs when a droplet from coughing, sneezing, or talking carry the pathogen to the host’s body.
DROPLET TRANSMISSION
Direct exposure of susceptible tissue to soil containing disease agents
CONTACT WITH SOIL
Disease agents may be directly inoculated into the skin or mocusa, e.g. dog bite, contaminated needles, syringes.
INOCULATION INTO THE SKIN OR MOCUSA
Transmission of the agents through placenta, e.g. AIDS, he
TRANS-PLACENTAL
DIRECT TRANSMISSION
- Direct Contact
2.Droplet Infection
3.Contact with Soil
4.Inoculation into skin or mucosa - Trans-placental
INDIRECT TRANSMISSION
- Vehicle Borne
2.Vector Borne - Airborne
4.Fomite Borne
5.Fingers and Hands
When the infectious agent is capable of surviving outside the human environment and retains its basic properties until it entere a new host.
INDIRECT TRANSMISSION
This implies transmission of the agent through water, food, ice, blood, serum, and biological products.
VEHICLE BORNE
is defined as a arthropod, or any living carrier that transports an infection agent to a susceptible individual.
VECTOR BORNE
Droplet nuclei is the type of particle implicated in the spread of ____ infection.
AIRBORNE
are inanimate articles or substances (other than water or food), contaminated by the infectious discharges from a patient and capable of harboring and transferring agents to a healthy person.
FOMITE BORNE
The most common agents transferring infections
FINGERS & HANDS
Activities designed to protect patients and other members of the public from actual or potential health threats and their harmful consequences.
DISEASE PREVENTION
Four levels of disease prevention
Primordial
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Prevention of emergence or development of risk factor in countries or population groups in which they have not yet appeared.
PRIMORDIAL PREVENTION
Action taken prior to onset of disease, which removes the possibility that a disease will ever occur.
PRIMARY PREVENTION
Action which halts the progress of the disease at its incipient stage and prevents complication.
SECONDARY PREVENTION
All measures available to reduce or limit impairments and disabilities and minimize suffering caused by existing departures from good health and to promote the patients adjustment to irremediable conditions.
TERTIARY PREVENTION
INTERVENTION: Individual and mass education
EXAMPLES: national progammes and policies on food and nutrition, against smoking and drugs, and to promote regular physical exercise.
PRIMORDIAL PREVENTION
INTERVENTION: Prepathogenesis stage of disease.
MODES OF INTERVENTION: health promotion and specific protection
PRIMARY PREVENTION
INTERVENTION: Early pathogenesis stage MODES OF INTERVENTION: Early diagnosis and adequate/ prompt treatment.
SECONDARY PREVENTION
INTERVENTION: Late pathogenesis
MODES OF INTERVENTION: Disability limitations and rehabilitation
TERTIARY PREVENTION
also known as blood and body fluid exposure, is a common route of transmission for many infectious diseases.
Body substance transmission
EXAMPLES OF BODY SUBSTANCES OR FLUIDS
Blood
Semen
Vaginal Secretions
Breast Milk
Urine
Saliva
Sweat
Tears
Mucus
Fluids that surround our internal organs
Some of the diseases transmitted through body substances include:
-HIV/AIDS
-Hepatitis B and C
-Meningitis
-Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)(e.g. syphilis)
-Respiratory Infections
-Other Infectious Diseases
an essential practice that protects both patients and healthcare providers from infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and other contagious illnesses. By isolating all body substances (blood, urine, feces, tears, etc.), we significantly reduce the chances of disease transmission.
BODY SUBSTANCE ISOLATION (BSI)
refers to the state of being free from disease-causing microorganisms, particularly bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Asepsis
DOES ASEPSIS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE CYCLE OF INFECTION?
YES!
-a state of being completely free from all living microorganisms
-having a complete absence of viable life that has the potential to reproduce
STERILE
-the removal of visible dirt, dust, or contaminants from a surface or environment.
-to reduce the overall number of microorganisms or to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms
CLEAN
encompasses a range of measures aimed at preventing the spread of infections and ensuring the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. This includes practices such as proper handwashing techniques, gloving techniques, sterile and aseptic techniques. Maintaining cleanliness and sterilization of medical equipment and surfaces, adhering to isolation protocols for patients with infectious diseases, and following established guidelines for the safe handling and disposal of medical waste. These practical precautions are essential for minimizing the risk of healthcare-associated infections and promoting a safe healthcare environment for all.
Practical Precautions
Practical Precautions
Proper Handwashing
Gloving Techniques
Sterile and Aseptic Technique
is a hygienic practice involving the cleansing of hands with water and soap or other suitable cleansers to remove dirt, germs, and contaminants. It is essential for preventing the spread of infections, including viruses and bacteria, particularly in healthcare settings, food preparation, and everyday activities.
Handwashing
In medicine, “______” refers to the method used by healthcare professionals to properly don sterile gloves to prevent contamination during medical procedures. This technique is crucial for maintaining aseptic conditions and reducing the risk of infection for both the patient and the healthcare provider.
gloving technique
is used for short invasive procedures. It involves
*hand hygiene
*sterile gloves
*use of clean dedicated area
ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE
is an essential patient safety principle that reduces the risk of microbial transmission to patients during surgery.
STERILE TECHNIQUE
a method used in laboratories or clinical setting to prevent the transmission of unwanted organisms.
Aseptic Technique
Two types of Aseptic technique
Medical Asepsis
Surgical Asepsis
- the methods used in a general medical setting to reduce the spread of microbes and eliminate such contaminants.
Medical asepsis
- the methods used to eliminate microbes and maintain asepsis during an invasive or surgical procedure
Surgical asepsis
use of practices that restrict microorganisms in the environment and prevent contamination of the surgical field.
Sterile Technique
