Infectious Diseases and Infection Control

These flashcards cover key concepts related to infectious diseases, their transmission, and prevention methods as discussed in the lecture.

What did Anton Van Leeuwenhoek observe over three hundred years ago?

He observed what he called 'wee animacules' (little animals)

What were the major causes of death at the start of the twentieth century?

Microbial infectious diseases, pneumonia, tuberculosis, gastroenteritis, and diphtheria.

What is the definition of infection?

The establishment and growth of a microorganism on or in a host.

What are pathogens?

Microorganisms that produce disease.

What is the incubation period?

The period during which a pathogen spreads and multiplies in the host before symptoms appear.

What is the chain of infection?

The process that must occur for an infection to be transmitted, including an infectious microorganism, a mode of transmission, a reservoir, and a host.

What is the difference between exogenous and endogenous infections?

Exogenous infections are acquired from external sources; endogenous infections arise from within the host, often due to another infection.

What are vectors?

Agents, typically insects, that transfer pathogens from one host to another.

What are fomites?

Inanimate objects that can carry infectious agents.

What is a nosocomial infection?

An infection acquired in a hospital.

What does iatrogenic infection refer to?

Infection resulting from the actions of a physician or medical treatment.

What is the most effective method of sterilization?

Steam sterilization (autoclaving).

What are standard precautions?

Infection control practices that reduce the risk of transmission of infections and are applied to all patients.

What is the difference between surgical asepsis and medical asepsis?

Surgical asepsis is the complete removal of all pathogens, while medical asepsis is the reduction of pathogens.

What is the primary purpose of handwashing?

To prevent the spread of infection.

What is the term for the process of grouping patients with similar infections to prevent the spread of disease?

Cohorting.

What are droplet precautions?

Precautions taken to prevent transmission through respiratory droplets.

What is the most common route of transmission in hospitals?

Through fomites, or contaminated inanimate objects.

The healthcare practitioner must understand infectious diseases, how they are spread, and how they are controlled. Why?

This understanding is essential for effective prevention and control of infections in healthcare settings.

What are microorganisms?

grows in or on a host organism and causes disease known as infection

What is disease?

A pathological condition of a living organism resulting from injury, infection, or functional disorder.

What are the three things that a pathogen can do?

multiply in large #s and cause obstruction

they can cause tissue damage

they can secrete exotoxins

What are the four basic infectious agents?

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites

What are the steps of establishment of a disease?

Encounter

entry

spread

multiplication - incubation period

damage - direct vs indirect

outcome

What are the three different outcomes for the establishment of an infectious disease?

Host gains control and eliminates disease

infection overcomes host to cause disease

host and infection compromise and live together

What 4 things do infections need to be able to be transmitted?

a host, infectious organism, mode of transmission, and a reservoir

What are two examples of direct transmission?

Touching, sexual contact

What are examples of indirect transmission?

Transmission via contaminated surfaces or objects, droplet transmission from a distance.

What is a reservoir?

A reservoir is any person, animal, or environment that harbors an infectious organism, allowing it to multiply and be transmitted to others.

What is Typhoid Mary?

A nickname for Mary Mallon, an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever who famously infected numerous people in the early 20th century.

What percentage of patients have nosocomial infections?

5% of patients

Which two sources of infection are we most primary concerned with in the hospital setting?

Contact with patients and contaminated surfaces.

How do we control infection?

Mechanical, chemical and cellular defense such as our skin

Chemotherapy

Immunization

What is the difference between bacteriostatic and bactericidal?

Bacteriostatic agents inhibit bacterial growth, while bactericidal agents kill bacteria directly.

How long should you be washing your hands?

7-8 minutes