Lecture #5 Chain of Infection Flashcards
Infectious agent
Any potential pathogen (bacteria, virus, fungi, etc.)
Reservoir
Where the pathogen lives (a person, on equipment, surfaces, instruments, etc.)
Portal of exit
How the infectious agent leaves its reservoir and reach a new host
Transmission
Direct, indirect, airborne, droplet
Portal of entry
how the infectious agent gets into the new host (bloodstream, mucous membrane, etc.)
Susceptible host
Someone who is not immune
Define Cross-contamination
Spread of microorganisms from one source to another
What determines the potential danger of aerosols
Contents and the concentration of pathogens
What kinds of diseases have the respiratory tract as their portal of exit/entry
Flu, Cold, Whooping cough
TB
Measles, rubella
- Nasopharyngeal secretions
Which diseases have the skin & mucous membranes as their portals of exit/entry
HIV
HBV, HCV, HDV
Herpes
3 most common portals of exit/entry
Respiratory tract
Skin & mucous membranes
Blood
What factors influence the development of infection
- Numbers of microorganisms & duration of exposure
- Virulence of organisms
- Immune status of host
Are you at greater risk for:
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
HIV
Hepatitis C
3 things to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens
- Vaccination against HBV infection
- Standard precautions
- Strategies to prevent sharps injuries
3 strategies to prevent sharps injuries
- engineering controls
- Technology rather than technique - Work practice controls
- Personal protective equipment
How are diseases transmitted in the dental setting?
- From patient to dental worker
- Dental worker to patient
- One patient to another
- Dental office to community
What is the most common yeast infection of the oral cavity
Oral candidiasis
Give an example of a slow persistent viral infection when the virus replicates slowing, causing damage that is seen only after a number of years
Hepatitis C
T or F, Virus infections are only latent diseases
False, they are latent, chronic or slow
What is the most sure way to kill bacteria or other microorganism in the shortest amount of time
expose them to high temperatures that are found in approved methods of sterilization
Bacteria with a protective coating (capsule) are what?
virulent, or disease causing