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Summarise the chain of infection essay
Summarise the chain of infection essay
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In order to promote health and wellness it is important to stop the spread of germs and bacteria. to prevent the spread of diseases you must know how diseases can be spread and what causes them. Germs and bacteria are spread through the process called the chain of infection. The chain of infection is made up of six different links: pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry, and a susceptible host (Koshuta). The chain of infection can only happen when all six links are present (Infection Prevention and Control ). Each link has a unique part in the chain and each part can be interrupted, stopped, or broken, in many different ways. Link #1: The Pathogen- This is the disease-causing organism. This can be bacterium or a virus. In order to break this link, …show more content…
Pathogens cannot travel on their own, so they have to have a means of transportation to carry them to people or to other places (Infection Prevention and Control). Direct transmission involves close association with the infected person, but not necessarily physical contact. Indirect transmission requires a vector, such as an insect or animal. Practicing safe sex, avoiding contact with the infected person, and by washing hands can all methods to breaking the this link of the chain of infection. Link #5: The Portal of Entry- Entry of the pathogen in a person can take place in one of three ways: penetration- entering the skin through broken skin, inhalation- breathing the pathogen in, or ingestion- eating of swallowing the pathogen. The intensity of an infection may depends on the depth of penetration. Like the portal of exit, the use of barrier methods, such as condoms or masks, can be used to break this link, along with other ways, like insect repellants, or washing fruit and vegetables before eating them. Link #6: The New Host- Once in the new host, many factors affect the intensity of infection, including the persons immune system strength and the reproductive rate of the
One of the largest epidemic events in history, the Bubonic Plague had a devastating effect on European society. It is believed to have begun in China, and it reached European soil in 1347, when it struck Constantinople (Document 1). It was carried by infected fleas that spread the disease between humans and rats. A symptom of the plague was the development of large, dark swellings called “buboes” on the victim’s lymph nodes. By the time the plague left, Europe’s population had been reduced by almost half. The devastation as a result of the plague may seem shocking, but there were several important factors that contributed to its deadliness.
The Black Death, also known as the Black Plague and Bubonic Plague, was a catastrophic plague that started out in Asia and began to spread into Europe. In the span of three years, the Black Death killed about one third of all the people in Europe. The plague started out in the Gobi Dessert in Mongolia during the 1320’s. From the desert the plague began to spread outwards in all directions. China was among the first to suffer from the plague in the early 1330s before the plague hit Europe.
Bloodborne Pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that can eventually cause disease. They are found in human blood and other bodily fluids such as synovial fluid, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid and any other fluid that mixes or has contact with blood. The bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic, which means they are disease causing, and they are also microorganisms, which means that they are very small so the human eye cannot see them.
The main objectives of the pathogen are to gain entry inside the host, once inside grow and reproduce, and avoid host defenses. There are three possible routes of infection: respiratory, alimentary, and traumatic. The respiratory route is the easiest and most direct means of entry. Under crowded conditions, the rate of infection is even more rapid. The diseases brought over to America were mainly spread by the respiratory method. The alimentary pathway of infection is through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Throughout Europe during the 15th century, food and water were contaminated with fecal matter and by unsanitary habits ( i.e. the lack of bathing). The traumatic route of infection is through insect and animal bites.
been previously touched by an infected person, will transmit the disease to the healthy person who
Healthcare-associates Infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions and can be devastating or even deadly ("CDC - HAIs the Burden - HAI", 2013). An HAI was defined as a localized or systemic condition that (1) results from an adverse reaction to the pres¬ence of an infectious agent(s) or its toxin(s), (2) that occurs during a hospital admission, (3) for which there is no evidence the infection was present or incubating at admission, and (4) meets body site-specific criteria (Klevens et al., 2007, p.2).
In our community right now, medical researchers are testing antibiotics that may have chemicals to disable the resistance of this organism. But while research continues, it is vital to be aware of how these deadly germs spread and what we can do to prevent them.
Pathogens are a type of microorganism that spreads viral and bacterial diseases. These diseases when present in human blood and body fluids are known as blood borne pathogens, and can spread from one person to another. (Worcester polytechnic institute) The most serious types of blood borne diseases are the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can cause liver damage; and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which is responsible for causing AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). The blood borne pathogens can be spread when the blood or body fluids (semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, and amniotic fluid) of an infected individual comes into contact with mucous membranes or an open sore or cut on the skin of another person. Mucus membranes are located in the eyes, nose, mouth, and other areas as well. ("Bloodborne pathogens: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia") Two of the most common ways that pathogens are transmitted is through the exchange of fluids during sexual intercourse or by sharing infected IV needles. (Worcester polytechnic institute)
This chain of infection develops when each link connects to the other. That means it must link up together in order to be infectious diseases. However, the breaking away of any of the link will mean that, transmission of infection is stopped. On the other hand, breaking of any chain can stop the transmission
our everyday lives bacteria is constantly surrounding us, some of the bacterium that we encounter are beneficial to us but then there are the ones that are severely detrimental to our health. The way that they effect a persons body can differ from person to person. Many of the “microscopic foes” are very resilient and have a very fast reproduction rate. Not only do they reproduce quickly they sometimes seem to outsmart our immune system and not allow our bodies to fight the infection making it almost impossible to stop them. One thing that a lot if people rely on is the assistance of prescription drugs to get them better but even the drugs are not being effective and we can’t stop the pathogens from invading our personal places such as work, home, school, or anywhere. Even though modern medicine is advancing the pathogens could still get the get the best of us. The scary thing is we never know when the next pandemic or epidemic is going to arise. All it needs is some ordinary microbe to swap genes with a deadly germ to produce a “super pathogen” and it could happen to anyone, anywhere, as it did to Jeannie Brown who is from “our neck of the woods”.
Hospital acquired infections are one of the most common complications of care in the hospital setting. Hospital acquired infections are infections that patients acquired during the stay in the hospital. These infections can cause an increase number of days the patients stay in the hospital. Hospital acquired infections makes the patients worse or even causes death. “In the USA alone, hospital acquired infections cause about 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths per year”(secondary).
Viruses can be transmitted in many ways. Being in contact with an infected person will most likely transfer the virus. One can also obtain the virus through swallowing, inhaling, and unsafe sex. Poor hygiene and eating habits usually increase the risk of catching a viral infection. Contracting a viral infection is followed by adverse s...
Infectious diseases also called as communicable diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi), can be spread directly or indirectly from one person to another.
It is noticed that science develops in splashes, each significantly advancing our understanding of the nature. The 19th century was the time of rapid development of microbiology. In the search for secrets of nature science has reached extremely high and low energies as well as large and small length scales. Still until recently we knew very little about one of the most complex aspects of life – microbes and infection. Now we are at the dawn of efflorescence in molecular biology, which provides an excellent basis for application into several areas of biology like cancer and virology . Revelations of molecular biology become extremely crucial, as they provide insights into the way molecules work.
There are 5 main pathways of environmental transmission of pathogens. Those are air-borne, food-borne, water-borne, vector-borne and blood-borne. Air-borne transmission refers to any disease that is caused by a pathogen and transmitted through the air. These pathogens can be spread by coughing, sneezing, stirring dust, liquid spraying, or generally any activity that generate aerosol particles or droplets. These pathogens can include viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Some common examples of pathogens that are spread via air-borne transmission are rhinovirus, hantavirus, adenovirus, and influenza, among many others (cdc.gov).