Commmunicable Disease in the Dental Surgery

Opportunistic Pathogens

Some normally harmless microorganisms can cause infection when the immune system is compromised; these are known as?

Acute Infection

The patient has an active infection and may release large numbers of microorganisms.

Prodromal Stage

The patient is infectious but may not yet show clinical symptoms

Latent Stage

The patient may continue to shed microorganisms even after symptoms improve

Asymptomatic Carrier

The patient caries potential pathogens but does not show symptoms

Direct Contact

• Person-to-person contact

• Contact with infectious material

Indirect Contact

• Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects

• Contaminated equipment, towels, or splatter

Percutaneous Transmission

Occurs when an infectious agent enters through broken skin or a sharps injury

Airborne Transmission

• Infection can spread through the air like aerosols generated during dental procedures

• Respiratory secretions

Common Vehicle Spread

Is a material or medium that can carry microorganisms and contribute to their spread like dental unit waterlines, plumbing, contaminated fluids, etc.

Exposure

• Stages of an infectious disease

• The person comes into contact with a microorganisms that can cause infection

Incubation Period

• Stages of an infectious disease

• The microorganism begins to multiply, but the person does not yet show symptoms

Prodromal Period

• Stages of an infectious disease

• Early and general symptoms appear, such as tiredness, mild fever, or headache

Clinical Stage

• Stages of an infectious disease

• The infection becomes more noticeable, and the specific signs and symptoms of the disease appear

Recovery

• Stages of an infectious disease

• The symptoms gradually decrease as the body recovers and returns toward normal

Emerging Pathogens

Are infectious agents associated with diseases that are reported in a population for the first time or diseases that are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range

Re-emerging Pathogens

Are previously known infectious agents whose diseases are increasing again after having declined or been controlled

MERS-CoV

• A coronavirus that causes severe respiratory illness

• Mode of transmission: Respiratory droplets, aerosols, and close contact

Zika Virus

• A mosquito-borne viral infection that may cause fever and rash

• Mode of transmission: Mosquito bites, sexual contact, and blood

Ebola Virus

• A virus that causes severe illness and can lead to bleeding

• Mode of transmission: Direct contact with infected blood or body fluids

West Nile Virus

• A mosquito-borne viral infection that can affect the nervous system

• Mode of transmission: Mosquito bites

Chikungunya Virus

• A mosquito-borne infection commonly causing fever and severe joint pain

• Mode of transmission: Mosquito bites

Tuberculosis

• A bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs and can cause prolonged cough and fever

• Mode of transmission: Airborne

Dengue

• A mosquito-borne viral infection that commonly causes high fever, headache, and body aches

• Mode of transmission: Mosquito bites

Polio

• A viral infection that affects the nervous system and may cause paralysis

• Mode of transmission: Fecal-oral route

Syphilis

• A bacterial infection that can cause sores, rashes, and other systemic complications

• Mode of transmission: Sexual contact; direct contact with lesions

Diphteria

• A bacterial infection that mainly affects the throat and can cause breathing difficulties

• Mode of transmission: Respiratory droplets; direct contact

Influenza

• A viral respiratory infection that commonly causes fever, cough, and body aches

• Mode of transmission: Respiratory droplets; aerosols; contaminated surfaces

Breach

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Weakened vaccination and disease control

Overpopulation

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Increases person-to-person spread

Population aging

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Increases vulnerability to infection

Antimicrobial Resistance

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Makes infections harder to treat

Urbanization

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Increases corwding and exposure

Industrial Production

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Increases opportunities for pathogens to spread

Globalization and Migration

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Move infections across regions

Wildlife Trade and Consumption

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Increases animal-to-human exposure

Climate Change

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Changes where pathogens and vectors can survive

Poverty and Inequality

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Limits access to healthcare and prevention

Conflicts

• Why do pathogens emerge & re-emerge

• Disrupt healthcare and disease-control programs

Prevention

Proper hand hygiene, use of PPE, sterilization, and disinfection of instruments and surfaces, and safe handling of sharps and body fluids. Proper respiratory hygiene, aerosol control, waste disposal and dental unit waterline maintenance also help reduce transmission.