Infection Stages and Infection Control

Pathogens

organisms that cause infections

5 types of microorganisms?

bacteria, viruses, fungi, helminths, rickettsia

Stages of infection

incubation, prodromal, illness, convalescence

incubation

pathogens grow and multiply, no symptoms

prodromal period

mild symptoms

time between the beginning of nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, low-grade fever, fatigue, and arthralgia to the onset of disease-specific symptoms such as a rash, diarrhea, and vomiting

illness

severe symptoms

convalescent period

recovery

interval between when symptoms first begin to fade and when the child returns to a healthy baseline

Chain of infection steps

reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host

portal of exit

how pathogen escapes (sneezing)

means of transmission

how pathogen spreads

Health promotion includes

vaccines, washing hands, good hygiene

standard precautions

hand sanitizer, no gloves, wash hands when soiled

airborne transmission

pathogens stay in air

droplet transmission

coughing/sneezing, droplets travel 3-6ft

airborne precautions

negative pressure room, N95 mask, pt wears surgical mask when transporting

what diseases are airborne? (MTV)

measles, TB, varicella

droplet precautions

surgical mask

what diseases are droplet?

mumps, rubella, flu, pertussis, meningitis

contact precautions

gloves and gown

do not share equipment