Chain of Infection
What is portal of exit?
An exit route for pathogens to leave its host
What is indirect contact?
Contact with contaminated inanimate objects
Give some examples of airborne transmission
coughing, sneezing
Any portal of _____ can also because a portal of _____.
exit; entry
What is susceptible host?
A personal who becomes ill after pathogens enter the body because they cannot fight off the pathogen
What is reservoir?
A place where the pathogen grows and may or may not multiply
What is the chain of infection?
A sequence of circumstances where all events must occur to develop an infection
What is rickettsiae?
Are transmitted to humans by the bites of lice, ticks and fleas that act as vectors
What are the common types of infectious agents?
Bacteria Viruses Protozoa Rickettsiae Fungi Helminthes
Give some examples of portal of exit
Blood, skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract
What are viruses?
DNA or RNA is encased in a protein coating
What are two types of contact for HAIs?
Direct Contact Indirect Contact
Give some examples of direct contact
Fecal, oral
Viruses cannot reproduce where?
Outside of a living host cell
What is helminthes?
Parasitic worms or flukes
Give some examples of reservoirs
Patient, staff member, animal, food
What is direct contact?
Person to person or physical contact between source and susceptible host
What is portal of entry?
Place where a pathogen enters the body
What is bacteria?
Single celled prokaryotic microorganisms (without a nuclear membrane) that multiply rapidly
What is mode of transmission?
The manner in which an infectious agent moves from one source to another
How does vector transmission occur?
Through a bite
What is fungi?
Tiny primitive organisms, that contain no chlorophyll
Give some examples of mode of transmission
Touch, airborne droplets, medical instruments, mosquitoes, vermin
What is protozoa?
Unicellular eukaryotic microorganisms (with a nuclear membrane) that can infect the blood, brain, intestines and other body areas
What makes a human a susceptible host?
Virtue of age, weak state of health, or broken skin
How does airborne transmission occur?
When infectious particles dispersed in the air enter the host by inhalation
Are people that require invasive procedures at risk for infection?
Yes
Give some examples of portal of entry
break in skin, mucous membrane, mouth, nose, genitourinary tract
Give some examples of vector transmission
fleas, ticks, mosquitoes
Give some examples of indirect contact
needles, utensils, hospital equipment
How does a droplet infection occur?
When the droplets from an infected hosted person are projected a short distance to the host's nasal mucosa, mouth or conjunctiva
What are the chain of infection links in order?
Infectious Agent (pathogen) Reservoir Portal of Exit Mode of Transmission Portal of Entry Susceptible Host
What is the most effective barrier to infection?
Intact skin
