Infection Control

Disease

disorder or an abnormal condition which negatively affects the structure or function of body parts that produces specific signs and symptoms.

Infection

Invasion of an organism's body tissues by disease-causing agents, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agents and the toxins they produce. Must cause disease to be considered an infection, since some organisms in the body do not cause disease.

Normal Flora

• Community of bacteria living in a specific part/system of the body that prevents invasion by pathogenic bacteria.

• Symptoms are reactions of the body, not directly caused by microorganisms; e.g., prostaglandins released during infection increase body temperature.

Staphylococcus aureus

• Skin normal flora

• Bacteria living on the skin that protect against invasion by pathogenic bacteria.

E. coli

• Bacteria normally in the urinary/gastrointestinal tract that prevent pathogenic invasion.

Exogenous Infection

• Infection caused by pathogens entering the patient’s body from the environment (e.g., contaminated device, healthcare worker, surface, or other vector).

• Persons at risk include patients with open incisions, in-dwelling devices, or immunocompromised conditions.

Endogenous Infection

• Infection caused by pathogens from the patient’s own body (normal microflora) that grow unchecked due to a compromised immune system.

• Examples include urinary infections due to poor hydration or retained waste.

• Conditions like cancer, chemotherapy, HIV, diabetes, or severe stress can increase normal flora beyond normal numbers, causing infection.

Infection Control

• Prevention of the spread of pathogenic microorganisms with the potential to cause infectious disease.

• Includes policies and procedures to reduce infection risks to humans, animals, and healthcare facilities.