Week One Flashcards
Asepsis
No disease causing microorganisms
Infection
an invasion of body tissue by microorganisms and their growth.
Infectious Agent
A microorganism that invades body tissues and grows (causes infection)
Disease
detectable alteration in normal tissue function
Pathogens
Cause disease of infection in a healthy individual
Blood Bourne Pathogen
Potential infectious organisms that are carried in and transmitted through blood or materials containing blood
Chain of Infection
Etiologic agent, reservoir, portal of exit from reservoir, method of transmission, portal of entry to the susceptible host, susceptible host
What is the best way to prevent infection/disease?
hand washing
Most common mode of transmission
hands
Types of microorganisms that cause infection
bacteria (most common, viruses, fungi, parasites
Virulence
Ability to cause disease
Common sources of microorganisms
other humans, client’s own micros, plants, animals, general environment
Common areas of the body that normally harbor microorganisms
respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, reproductive tract, blood, tissue
Conditions that most micros require to live
food, oxygen, water, temperature, pH, light
Aerobic micros
require oxygen for survival
Anaerobic micros
thrive with little or no oxygen
What is transmission?
After a microorganism leaves its source or reservoir, it requires a means of transmission to reach another individual or host through a receptive portal of entry
Direct Transmission
immediate and direct transfer or microorganisms from individual to individual
Direct Transmission distance
anything within 3 feet
Indirect Transmission
Any substance that serves as an intermediate means to transport and introduce and infectious agent into a susceptible host through a suitable portal of entry
Fomites
inanimate materials or objects, water, food, blood, semen, plasma
Vector Borne
A vector is an animal or flying or crawling insect that serves as an intermediate means of transporting the infectious agent
Airborne
droplets or dust
What is a portal of entry?
the means of a pathogen entering a host