Outbreak

Question 1

What is the definition of an outbreak?

Answer 1

An outbreak of an infection is defined as 2 or more cases of an infection linked in time and place.

Question 2

What are the six parts to the chain of infection?

Answer 2

Infectious agent (bacteria, virus, prion and fungi)
Reservoir (humans, animals, environment, equipment and food)
Portal of Exit (Body fluids, wounds, coughing and sneezing)
Mode of Transmission (contaminated food, direct/indirect and inhalation)
Portal of Entry (wounds, respiratory or intestinal tract, tubes and eyes/mouth)
Susceptible Host (immunocompromised, drugs, diseases and tubes)

Question 3

What is the difference between a droplet and aerosol?

Answer 3

Droplet is over 5um.
Aerosol is under 5um
Aerosol spreads further and hangs in the air whereas droplets drop to the ground

Question 4

What is the difference between disinfecting and sterilising things?

Answer 4

Disinfection-Large reduction in microbe numbers but the spores can still remain
Sterilising-Removing all of the microbes and spores

Question 5

What kinds of equipment need disinfected/sterilised?

Answer 5

Equipment that comes into contact with mucous membranes such as vaginal specula, bedpans and endoscopes needs to be disinfected/sterilised as needed.
Equipment such as surgical instruments need sterilised.