Communicable Disease

Communicable Diseases

Objectives

  • Understand colonization, infection, and disease.

  • Differentiate between concepts of transmission.

  • Compare standard precautions and transmission-based precautions.

  • Discuss management of patients with infectious disease.

  • Apply the Nursing Process in the care of patients with infection.

Normal Flora

  • Resident microbes facilitate digestion and provide immunity.

  • Transient microbes acquired from environment can be harmful.

Body Defenses

  1. First Line of Defense:

    • Physical Barriers: Intact skin and mucous membranes.

    • Chemical Barriers: Saliva, sweat, tears.

  2. Second Line of Defense: Immune response involving:

    • Neutrophils

    • T helper cells

    • Macrophages, etc.

Infectious Process

  • Steps include:

    1. Entry of pathogen

    2. Attachment to tissues

    3. Multiplication and invasion

    4. Evasion of host defenses

  • Colonization: Pathogen does not cause harm (no symptoms).

  • Infection: Clinical signs and symptoms present.

Infection Pathology

  • Factors affecting infection occurrence include:

    • Host resistance (immunocompromised, antibiotic resistance).

    • Environmental factors (air travel, bioterrorism).

Stages of Infection

  1. Incubation Period: Entry to symptom onset.

  2. Prodromal Stage: Non-specific symptoms appear.

  3. Illness Stage: Specific symptoms manifest.

  4. Convalescent Stage: Symptoms disappear.

Types of Infection

  1. Subclinical: No symptoms, possible carrier.

  2. Latent: Dormant infection.

  3. Exogenous: From environment.

  4. Endogenous: From normal flora to new site.

  5. Healthcare-associated (HAIs): Develops in healthcare setting.

Infection Control

  • Standard Precautions: Minimal infection control measures for all patients.

  • Transmission-Based Precautions: Used when a specific infection is identified:

    • Contact Precautions: For skin-to-skin transmission.

    • Droplet Precautions: For respiratory droplets (>5 microns).

    • Airborne Precautions: For pathogens <5 microns.

Nursing Interventions

  • Educate on infection transmission, hygiene practices, and vaccination.

  • Monitor vital signs and lab results for infection signs.

  • Provide comfort, administer antimicrobials, and evaluate treatment.

  • Promote community awareness and prevention strategies.

Immunization and Prevention

  • Importance of vaccines to prevent diseases.

  • Active vs. Passive Immunity; types of vaccines (inactivated vs. live attenuated).

Management of Infectious Agents

  • Recognize high-risk patients and provide appropriate isolation.

  • Utilize aseptic techniques and educate on hygiene practices.

Conclusion

  • Prevention, early detection, and appropriate management are crucial in controlling communicable diseases and improving patient outcomes.