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6 LINKS OF INFECTION

MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

QuestionAnswer
SIX (6) LINKS OF INFECTION PROCESS 1. INFECTIOUS AGENT 2. RESERVOIR 3. PORTAL OF EXIT 4. MODE OF TRANSMISSION 5. PORTAL OF ENTRY 6. SUSCEPTIBLE HOST
The first link in the chain of infection is the INFECTIOUS AGENT OR PATHOGEN
The first link in the chain of infection is the infectious agent or pathogen which can take the form of: -viruses -bacteria -fungi -parasitic protozoan diseases -prions
INFECTIOUS AGENT: Influenza A, shingles and Hepatitis Viruses
INFECTIOUS AGENT: including Lyme disease and Leptospirosis Bacteria
INFECTIOUS AGENT: Candidiasis and Aspergillosis Fungi
INFECTIOUS AGENT: Malaria, Giardia and Toxoplasmosis Parasitic protozoan diseases
INFECTIOUS AGENT: are the cause of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) Prions
How well any pathogen can thrive depends on three factors: -Pathogenicity -Degree of virulence -Invasiveness
How well any pathogen can thrive depends on three factors: – its ability to produce disease Pathogenicity
How well any pathogen can thrive depends on three factors: – its severity or harmfulness Degree of virulence
How well any pathogen can thrive depends on three factors: – its tendency to spread Invasiveness
is the principal habitat in which a pathogen lives, flourishes and can multiply. RESERVOIR
Common reservoirs for infectious agents include ____, ____ or ____ and the ____. humans, animals, insects, environment
HUMAN RESERVOIRS: In humans, there are two forms of reservoir: 1. acute clinical cases 2. carriers
HUMAN RESERVOIRS: in which someone is infected and is displaying signs and symptoms of the disease acute clinical cases
HUMAN RESERVOIRS: where someone has been colonized with an infectious agent but is not unwell carriers
HUMAN RESERVOIRS: are more likely to be diagnosed and treated which means that the patient’s contacts and normal activities will normally be restricted. acute clinical cases
HUMAN RESERVOIRS: can present more of a risk to those around them because they do not display any signs or symptoms of illness carriers
Carriers can be further subdivided into four main types: 1. incubatory carriers 2. inapparent carriers 3. convalescent carriers 4. chronic carriers
CARRIERS: people who are infectious even before their own symptoms start incubatory carriers
CARRIERS: an individual is able to transmit an infection to others, without ever developing the infection themselves inapparent carriers
CARRIERS: people who are in the recovery phase of their illness but who continue to be infectious convalescent carriers
CARRIERS: anyone who has recovered but who continues to be a carrier for infection chronic carriers
ANIMAL RESERVOIRS: Examples of animal or insect reservoirs include: 1. Lyme disease 2. rabies 3. salmonella
ANIMAL RESERVOIRS: transmitted via ticks Lyme disease
ANIMAL RESERVOIRS: transmitted by dogs, cats, foxes and bats rabies
ANIMAL RESERVOIRS: transmitted by poultry, cattle, sheep and pigs salmonella
Any infectious disease that is transmitted under natural conditions from animal to human is referred to as zoonosis
ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVOIRS: The environment contains a large number of reservoirs of infection, including: 1. soil 2. water
ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVOIRS: acts as a reservoir for Clostridium tetani, the causative agent of tetanus soil
ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVOIRS: is a reservoir for Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaire’s disease water
is any route which enables a pathogen to leave the reservoir or host. PORTAL OF EXIT
In humans the key portals of exit are: 1. alimentary 2. genitourinary 3. respiratory 4. skin 5. trans-placental
PORTAL OF EXIT: via vomiting, diarrhea or biting Alimentary
PORTAL OF EXIT: via sexual transmission Genitourinary
PORTAL OF EXIT: through coughing, sneezing and talking Respiratory
PORTAL OF EXIT: via skin lesions Skin
PORTAL OF EXIT: where transmission is from mother to fetus Trans-placental
The two main ways that an infection can be transmitted from its reservoir to a susceptible host are via ____ transmission or ____ transmission. direct; indirect
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: occurs when there is direct contact with the infectious agent. Direct transmission
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Examples include tetanus, glandular fever, respiratory diseases and sexually transmitted diseases. Direct transmission
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: can occur through animate mechanisms such as fleas, ticks, flies or mosquitoes Indirect transmission
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: via inanimate mechanisms such as food, water, biological products or surgical instruments Indirect transmission
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: can also be airborne, in which tiny particles of an infectious agent are carried by dust or droplets in the air and inhaled into the lungs. Indirect transmission
is the means by which an infection is able to enter a susceptible host. PORTAL OF ENTRY
Portals of entry into the human body include: 1. inhalation 2. absorption 3. ingestion 4. inoculation 5. introduction
PORTAL OF ENTRY: via the respiratory tract Inhalation
PORTAL OF ENTRY: via mucous membranes such as the eyes Absorption
PORTAL OF ENTRY: via the gastrointestinal tract Ingestion
PORTAL OF ENTRY: as the result of an inoculation injury Inoculation
PORTAL OF ENTRY: via the insertion of medical devices Introduction
The last link in the chain of infection is the SUSCEPTIBLE HOST
Susceptible host depends on a variety of factors: -age -malnutrition or dehydration -chronic disease -immobility -medication -general resistance factors
can expose patients to infection risks that they may not encounter elsewhere. healthcare environment
Understanding how infections become established, and how they are transmitted, is: essential for effective infection prevention and control
There are opportunities to break or disrupt the chain at any link: -rapid and accurate diagnosis of an infectious disease -prompt treatment of infected patients -safe disposal of waste -sterilization and disinfection of medical equipment -implementation of an environmental decontamination strategy
Break the chain by: -cleaning hands -staying up to date on vaccines -covering coughs and sneezes -staying home when sick following the rules for standard and contact isolation -using personal protective equipment the right way -cleaning and disinfecting the environment
Created by: olympustudies
 

 



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