Intro to Healthcare Mr Bush Unit 2

Pathogens

disease causing agents

Non-pathogens

Unable to cause disease

Bacteria Example

tuberculosis

Protozoa

Animal like cell, often a parasite, Malaria

Fungi

Plant-like organisms, Ringworm

Rickettsiae

Parasites such as lice, fleas, and ticks

Viruses

Can't reproduce without a host, blood borne, major risk to health care workers, Hepatitis B & C, HIV

microorganism

prefer warm and wet environment

Chain of infection 1

Causative agent (pathogen)

Chain of infection 2

Reservoir (place where pathogen stays, ex. human body

Chain of infection 3

Portal of exit (way the pathogen escapes, Ex. urine, feces)

Chain of infection 4

Mode of Transmission

Mode of Transmission Direct

Person to person. Sexual Contact and touching contaminated hand

Mode of Transmission Indirect

Touching contaminated equipment, breathing droplets, insect bites

Chain of infection 5

Portal of Entry (way to enter a new host. Ex. respiratory tract, breaks in the skin

Chain of infection 6

Susceptible Host (anyone who can contract the disease, weak immune system, or impaired defense mechanisms are susceptible.)

Ending the Chain of Infection

Hand washing, antiseptics, disinfectants, sterilization, alcohol, betadine etc.

Fomite

a surface or an object commonly handled by multiple people

pathogenic Microorganisms

Causes disease in different ways (toxins, allergic reactions, attack & destroy cells) Antibiotics are ONLY effective against bacteria, not viruses.

Types of Infections Endogenous

Inside the body Ex. Tumors

Types of Infections Exogenous

Outside the Body, Ex. Trauma and electric shock

Types of Infections Nosocomial

Acquired in healthcare facilities Ex. staph infections and pneumonia

Types of Infections Opportunisitc

Infections that only affect the immunosuppressed (immune system not functioning) Ex. Kaposi's sarcoma

Types of Infections Generalized

Something that is affecting multiple systems at once ex. respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Types of Infections Localized

Affects one system at a time ex. Nervous system

Epidemic

A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease locally.

Pandemic

A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease globally.

Antibiotics

kill or remove bacteria

Antiseptics

aseptic or sterile technique we use on the skin

Disinfectants

chemicals or created substances that kill microbes

Aseptic

aseptic means to be free of infection-causing organisms or to use methods to prevent their introduction and transfer to a patient.

Sterile

Being sterile means being free from all microorganisms, such as germs and bacteria, and also refers to the inability to produce offspring.

Avian

Another Word for bird

Influenza

A contagious disease of the lungs

Domesticated Animals

Animals that live around humans

Contagious

Capable of transmitting disease

Pandemic

An infectious disease that affects people globally

Zoonotic

An infectious disease that can be passed from animals to humans

Supportive care

medical attention focused on providing comfort rather than curing an illness

Vector borne

Vector-borne diseases are infections transmitted to humans and other animals through the bite or feeding of infected arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and flies.

Rabies

Reservoir : Bats, raccoons, cats dogs

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

Human Symptoms : Flu like symptoms

Treatment : Medications if needed

Mad Cow disease

Also known as Creutzfeldt-Lakob Disease

Reservoir : Cattle

Agent : Prion

Transmission : Eating infected beef

Human Symptoms : Memory loss, emotional instability, weakness

Treatment : Supportive (usually fatal within one year)

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

Avian Flu facts

The deadly flu pandemic of 1918 (the spanish flu) was a strain related to bird flu

Bird flu has reappeared in the past decade

Wild birds can spread the virus to domestic poultry flocks'

In the 1997 Hong Kong outbreak, every chicken was killed to prevent the spread to humans

This virus has the ability to infect young and healthy people unlike most flu viruses that primarily infect the elderly and young children

Swine Flu (H1N1)

Reservoir : Pigs

Agent : Virus

Transmission : Coughs, sneezes, droplets, touching infected surfaces

Human Symptoms : Flu-like symptoms, pneumonia, diarrhea, vomiting

Treatment : Antiviral medications

Swine Flu facts

Swine Flu is less deadly than Avian flu ; however, Swine Flu is much more contagious

It is also a descendent of the 1918 Spanish Flu

The H1N1 strand of Swine Flu was first discovered in 1976

This type of virus is normally seen in birds and pigs, but managed to mutate itself in order to be virulent in humans

Spanish Flu

A type of Avian flu

Death toll from the Spanish flu of 1918 was estimated to be 20-50 million worldwide

Over half a million people died in the U.S. from the Spanish flu

More people died from the Spanish flu than were killed in WW1

Infection Prevention

The best method to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare is hand hygiene.

Standard Precautions

are the basic infection control practices we use to prevent spread of infection (good hand washing and PPE as needed).

Contact Isolation

Wound infection or skin infection Prevent--Gowns and gloves

Airborne Isolation

Infection that travels through the air Ex. Measles or tuberculosis Prevent--Gown and mask

Droplet Isolation

Infection from droplets like water or other liquids. Prevent--glove, mask, and eye protection

Putting PPE On (Donning) Order

hand hygiene, gown, mask, eye protection, gloves (mask on before entering the room