Transmission of infection Flashcards
What is the most cost-effective intervention for worldwide control of disease
Hand washing
T/F : Infection is commonly transmitted through direct person-to-person contact and, most often, hand-to-hand
True
Types of pathogen produced by the immune system in response to any pathogen. Can destroy or inactivate pathogens
Antibodies
Special group or type of antibodies that can render a toxic substance harmless. Can neutralize a specific toxin
Antitoxins
What are the five types of potentially harmful pathogens
Bacteria, virus, fungi, external parasite, biofilm
Define bacteria
One-celled micro-organisms that grow best in warm dark or dirty environment.
What are the two categories of bacteria
Nonpathogenic (non-disease producing)
Pathogenic(disease producing)
Nonpathogenic bacteria
Harmless; potentially beneficial
Makes up appx 70% of all bacteria. Cause decay of refuse or vegetation. Has health enhancing properties
Saprophytes
Type of non pathogenic bacteria that live on dead or decaying organic matter
Nonpathogenic
Non disease producing
Pathogenic bacteria
Can cause disease; live everywhere in the environment; some produce toxins(poisons); can spread easily via contamination or dirty hands/nails
Contagious/communicable
When a disease is spread from one person to another via contact. Ex: strep staph infection impetigo
How does bacteria cause infection?
By invading the body through a break in the skin or through any of the body’s natural openings (I.e. nose mouth eyes ears or genitalia)
When does infection occur?
When insufficient numbers of antibodies are produced by the immune system
Contraindications
Reason for withholding particular treatments (ex: skin infection)
MRSA
Highly contagious
Enters through open wounds
Can cause serious staph infection
Resistant to most antibiotics
Initially appears as pimple or boil
Mycobacterium
Contagious bacteria found in soil or water including tap water treated with chlorine
Avoid having cracked dry skin to prevent pathogens From entering body
Viruses
Submicroscopic infectious particle
Ex common cold flu chickenpox mumps measles rabies HIV hepatitis
Use host cells
Vaccinations may prevent certain viruses
Hepatitis A
Transmitted person to person contact or consumption of contaminated food/water
Vaccine preventable
Hepatitis B &C
Blood borne pathogen; highly infectious disease affecting the liver
Hep B is vaccine preventable; immunization is often recommended for personal service workers
Herpes simplex virus 1 & 2
(HSV-1 & HSV-2)
most common virus estheticians should be aware of
Can show up as a cold sore or as an STD
Human immunodeficiency Virus
HIV can lead to AIDS
Attacks and destroys the infection fighting cells of the immune system
Infectious fluids can enter through child birth, cuts, sores, sexual intercourse , sharing needles or syringes
HPV
Human papilloma virus
Only known cause of cervical cancer
Can lead to genital warts plantar warts and cervical changes
Vaccine preventable
Parasitic mites
Insects that cause contagious diseases (ex head lice (pediculosis capitis ) and itch mites (scabies)
Highly contagious
Infestations can cause severe skin problems with secondary bacterial infection due to scratching
External parasites
Obtain nutrients from host
Scabies
Caused by itch mites burrowing under the skin
Commonly found between fingers and toes
Presents as red rash and blisters
Spreads skin to skin
Rarely transfers via clothing or towels
Medical attention required
Head lice
Transmitted from person to person via articles coming in contact (towels headbands etc)
Usually found at base of neck or behind ears
Head scratching redness and/or small bite marks
Treated by pediculide shampoo
Cannot live off the body for more than 48 hours
Fungi
Type of mold and yeast that may produce contagious diseases
Ringworm
Highly contagious
Appears as red round patches that create circles then scales and pustules
Itchiness
Present anywhere on the body
Feeds off dead skin and can spread via towel or facecloth
Mildew
Fungus that doesn’t cause human infection but can harm plants or surfaces such as sinks and towel bins
Biofilm
Type of slime created when bacterial colony and water are present
Easily identifiable as slime build up around drain
Six signs of infection
Pain
Swelling
Redness
Local fever
Throbbing
Discharge
Person to person contact
Direct transmission; infected person exchanges pathogens with another person through direct contact Ex: warts pink eye and influenza
Indirect transmission
Object to person transmission
Airborne transmission
Contaminated objects
Food and drinking water
Animal to person
Insect bites
Ex: ring worm mrsa e. Coli
Common means of spreading infection
Open sores
Unclean hands
Coughing/sneezing
Shared drinks & towels
Use of implements on infected and non infected areas
Non properly disinfected tables and instruments
Unsanitary work conditions
Ways to control spread of infection
Personal hygiene
Public awareness
Infection control procedures
Vaccinations
Two classes of infection
Local (small confined area)
General (whole body, systemic, circulatory system carries bacteria and their toxins to entire body)
Asymptomatic carrier
Carries disease producing bacteria/virus with now recognizable symptoms of the diseases
Standard precautions
Practice of using the same infection control procedures with all clients.
Properly disinfect tools implements and equipment
Hand washing
Wear PPE
Must be used with blood bodily fluids secretions and excretions (except sweat) mucus membranes and broken skin
