Transmission and Spread of Infection

Question 1

What are the six parts to a chain of infection?

Answer 1

Infectious agent

Reservoir

Portal of exit

Mode of transmission

Portal of entry

Susceptible host

Question 2

What are the two broad categories of transmission?

Answer 2

Direct transmission

Indirect transmission

Question 3

Give three ways direct transmission can occur.

Answer 3

Contact with person

Infected droplets

Vertical transmission - across placenta

Question 4

Give four ways indirect transmission can occur.

Answer 4

Contact with contaminated surfaces

Consumption of contaminated food/water

Injection/penetration of skin

Bite

Question 5

What is a healthcare associated infection?

Answer 5

An infection contracted while a person is in a health-care facility

It must appear 48 hours or more after admission to facility

Question 6

What are the four most common groups of health care associated infections?

Answer 6

Urinary tract infections

Surgical site infections

Bloodstream infections

Pneumonia

Question 7

What are the four main contributing factors in HCAI?

Answer 7

Invasive medical procedures bypass the body’s natural protective barriers

Increased numbers of compromised hosts

Increased number of antibiotic resistant pathogens

Failure in infection control facilities and policies