Reservoirs, Transmission, and HAIs

Flashcards on reservoirs of infection, transmission of disease, and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Reservoir

A place that provides pathogens with adequate conditions for survival, multiplication, and opportunity for transmission.

Source

The individual/object where a pathogen is acquired.

Asymptomatic Carrier

Individual infected with a pathogen but does not get a disease or symptoms.

Passive Carrier

An individual that is not infected but can spread the pathogen.

Animal Vector

Animal that can spread disease to a human.

Biological Vector

An animal that is actively a part of the pathogen's life cycle.

Mechanical Vector

An animal that is not actively participating in the life cycle of the pathogen.

Zoonotic Infection

An infection that can go from animal to human and back to animal.

Zoonoses

Disease transmitted to humans from wild or domestic animals.

Indirect Transmission

Transmission through fomites (non-living objects involved in the spread of infection).

Droplet Transmission

Microbes are spread through droplet nuclei that travel only short distances.

Vertical Transmission

Mother to child during pregnancy.

Waterborne Transmission

Untreated or poorly treated sewage often causes this type of disease transmission.

Foodborne Transmission

Pathogens are transmitted in foods that are incompletely cooked, poorly refrigerated, or prepared under unsanitary conditions.

Airborne Transmission

The spread of pathogens by droplet nuclei that travel more than 1 meter from the reservoir to the host.

Nosocomial Infection/Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI)

Infections patients acquire while receiving treatment for other conditions at a health facility.

Predisposing Factors

Factors that make the body more susceptible to a particular disease.