Causes and spread of infection
You need to understand the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites; this also covers cell structure and growth pathogens.
Common illnesses and infections
Include bacteria for example tuberculosis, MRS., tetanus, gangrene, Legionnaires ‘disease, salmonella and conjunctivitis. Viruses like winter vomiting disease, measles, mumps, chickenpox, HIVE, Hepatitis B, warts and influenza.
Fungal infections a few examples of these are thrush, ringworm and athlete’s foot and finally arise infestations like scabies, lice, head lice, fleas, threadbare and roundworm.
Infection is Microorganisms transmitted to host’s cells, tissues or body cavities they might but do not always cause illness. Infectious diseases are transmissible from one individual to another. Colonization means to cause infection organisms colonies cells and tissues and compete with normal micro-flora in order to multiply to a level which causes harm. Finally non- pathogenic microorganisms colonies the skin, oral cavity, colon to form the normal micro-flora; they do not normally cause disease ND may be beneficial.
Systemic Infection affects whole system of the body, whereas localized Infection affects a specific area of the body.
Poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection includes poor personal hygiene, failure to wear the correct PEP, inadequate cleaning, poor hand washing, reuse of UN-sterilized equipment and failure to follow procedure.
- Understand the transmission of infection
- Conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms are optimum temperature, moisture, nutrients, gases and time.
- Ways an infective agent might enter the body can be Entry/ exit routes including: nose by inhalation, mouth by ingestion, rectum, urinary tract, eyes, broken skin, unbroken skin, genital tract, body fluids route and blood by Inoculation.
Common sources of infection
Include body fluids for example vomit, tears, breast milk, semen, vaginal secretions, urine, blood, mouth or nose secretions, sweat, sputum, droplets spread by sneezing and coughing; food; water: air-borne and also carried by insects or animals. Infective agents can be reanimated directly from person to person in body fluids or on hands. Indirectly can be transmitted via contaminated water, food, animals, insects, objects, dust etc.
