Infection Control Test

Pathogen

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease

Nonpathogenic

An organism that doesn’t cause disease

What are the five classes of microorganisms?

Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi, Viruses, Rickettsia

What is the chain of infection in order?

1. Infectious agents - microorganisms capable of causing diseases

2.  Reservoir - Place where infectious agents live and grow and reproduce 

3. Portal of exit - ways where infectious agents leave the body (reservoir)

4. Modes of transmission - ways where infectious agents spread from reservoir to a susceptible host 

5. Portal of entry - ways where infectious agents entry a host 

6. Susceptible host - individuals may have traits that allow them to be affected by the infectious agent

What are the types of infections?

Endogenous-disease that occurs within your body from normally harmless molecules, Exogenous-pathogens enter the body from the outside, Nosocomial-you got the infection from your workplace or where you live, Opportunistic-Infection that occurs in people who have a compromised immune system, Generalized-multiple locations in the body, Localized-one location in the body

Epidemic

Outbreak of a disease or symptom that occurs when the number of cases exceeds what is normally expected in a specific geographic area or population over a certain period of time.

Pandemic

type of epidemic that occurs when a disease spreads across multiple countries or continents, affecting a large number of people.

Endemic

Refers to a disease or condition that is regularly found and consistently present in a particular geographic area or population.

How microorganisms are fought and what we use to fight them:

1. Antibiotics - medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals.

2. Antiseptics - a substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms.

3. Disinfectants - Any substance or process that is used primarily on non-living objects to kill germs, such as viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can cause infection and disease. (destroy bacteria)

Aseptic

A technique or method designed to prevent contamination by pathogens or microorganisms.

Sterile

A state in which an object, surface, or environment is free from all viable microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.

Zoonotic disease

An infectious disease that can be passed from animals to humans.

Vector Borne

 A disease that results from an infection transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. 

Rabies

Bats, raccoons, cats, Agent: Virus

Transmission: Saliva of infected animals

Human symptoms: Seizure, paralysis, fever, fear of water

Treatment: Vaccines can be effective if given immediately after exposure; however if victim is not treated quickly, only supportive care is possible (often fatal)

West Nile

 Reservoir: Birds

Agent: Virus

Transmission: Mosquito bites bird, picks up virus, and then bites human

Human symptoms: Fever, flu like symptoms 

Treatment: Supportive, usually clears in a few weeks in healthy individuals

Toxoplasmosis

Reservoir: Pigs, cats, rats, deer, sheep

Agent: A single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii 

Transmission: Touching infected cat feces, eating undercooked meat, drinking contaminated water 

This illness is dangerous to pregnant women. It is transmitted through pets.

Human symptoms: Flu like symptoms 

Treatment: Medications if needed

Mad Cow Disease

Reservoir: Cattle.

 Agent: Prion. 

Transmission: Eating infected beef. 

Human symptoms: Memory loss, emotional instability, weakness. 

Treatment: Supportive (usually fatal within one year)

This disease is caused by unique agent called prion and infects the brain 

Lyme Disease

Reservoir: Deer

Agent: Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium

Transmission: Black legged tick feeds on infected deer, picks up bacterium, and bites human

Human symptoms: Rash, arthritis, fever, swollen lymph nodes, neurologic signs, heart problems

Treatment: Antibiotics can be used for successful treatment when caught early

Ringworm

 Reservoir: Any surface contaminated with fungus

Agent: Several kinds of fungus

Transmission: Touching a contaminated surface, brushes or combs, cows, horses, and other animals

Human symptoms: Rash shaped in a ring on the skin, including scalp, groin area, and feet

Treatment: Medicated creams, keeping area clean and dry

Avian Flu

-Reservoir: Birds (especially domestic poultry)

Agent: Virus

Transmission: Contact with infected poultry or environments

Human Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms (coughing, fever, sore throat), pneumonia

Treatment: Seasonal flu medications`

Swine flu

• Reservoir: Pigs (swine), with human transmission also common.

• Agent: Influenza A virus (H1N1 subtype)

• Transmission: Human-to-human transmission through respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing) and contact with contaminated surfaces; also through contact with infected pigs.

• Human Symptoms: Flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, chills), and in some cases, severe respiratory illness or pneumonia.

• Treatment: Antiviral medications (e.g., oseltamivir or zanamivir) are effective; supportive care for severe cases. Vaccines were developed and distributed to prevent infection during outbreaks.

Spanish Flu

• Reservoir: Primarily humans; believed to have originated from avian or swine influenza viruses.

• Agent: Influenza A virus (H1N1 subtype)

• Transmission: Human-to-human transmission through respiratory droplets (coughing, sneezing) and contact with contaminated surfaces.

• Human Symptoms: High fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, headache; severe cases led to pneumonia and death.

• Treatment: Supportive care (rest, hydration); antiviral medications were not available at the time. Vaccines were developed post-pandemic. Public health measures included isolation, quarantine, and wearing masks.

2 types of immunity

passive, adaptive

Adaptive immunity characteristics

memory cells present, response is slow

Passive immunity characteristics

no memory cells, response is fast