Session 7-Infection Prevention Flashcards
What are some microbes that are spread by direct person-to-person transmission?
Influenza
Norovirus
Neisseria gonorrhoea
Which infection is spread by indirect person-to-person transmission?
Malaria (by mosquitos)
What are the consequences of infection transmission?
- endemic disease
- outbreak
- epidemic
- pandemic
What is endemic disease?
Usual background rate - disease that is always present in certain population
What is an outbreak?
Two or more cases linked in time and place
What is an epidemic?
Rate of infection greater than usual background rate
What is a pandemic?
Very high rate of infection spreading across many regions, countries, continents
What is antigenic drift?
Variation in viruses that involves accumulation of mutations within genes that code for antibody-binding sites
What is antigenic shift?
Process by which two or more different strains of virus combine to form new subtype having mixture of surface antigens of two or more original strains
What is the basic reproduction number?
Average number of cases one case generates over the course of its infectious period, in an otherwise uninfected, non-immune population
What are the reasons for outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics?
- new pathogen (antigens, virulence factors, antibacterial resistance)
- new hosts (non-immune, healthcare effects)
- new practice
Describe interventions associated with pathogens and vectors
1) reduce/eradicate pathogen:
- antibacterials
- decontamination
- sterilisation
2) reduce/eradicate vector:
- eliminate vector breeding sites
Describe interventions associated with patients
1) improved health:
- nutrition
- medical treatment
2) immunity:
- passive eg maternal antibody, IV immunoglobulin
- active eg vaccination
Why do infections such as streptococcal pneumoniae develop after 3 months of birth?
Maternal antibodies only last for approximately 3 months
What is the advantage of vaccinating children against flu?
Protect elderly family members indirectly (more susceptible)
