Instructor: Mrs. Giomara McBee, PTA, MS, BS, Keiser University
Understand the types of infectious microorganisms that cause disease.
Understand the chain of infection and infection control practices.
Recognize the common signs and symptoms of infectious disease.
Viruses: Smallest known microorganisms; cannot replicate outside host cells. Fully dependent on host cells for reproduction.
Bacteria: Can grow independently; not all are harmful (e.g., pathogenic vs. nonpathogenic).
Fungi: Includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms; primarily nonpathogenic (Mycoses).
Parasites: Live on or in an organism (internal/external) and cause harm, can transmit infectious diseases.
Prions: Abnormal proteins that can lead to disease, particularly affecting brain proteins.
Bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MRSA, Streptococcus pneumoniae, C. difficile, E. Coli.
Viruses: Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, influenza, H1N1, measles, rubella, varicella-zoster, norovirus, COVID-19.
Fungi: Yeasts, molds, mushrooms.
Parasites: Worms, ticks, mosquitoes (malaria).
Prions: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, mad cow disease.
Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs): Infections that develop during hospitalization; prevention is key.
Standard Precautions: Treat all clients as if they have a transmissible disease; essential hand hygiene.
Handwashing is crucial, cited as the simplest and most effective way to prevent HAIs.
Definition: Microorganisms that can cause disease.
Factors: Varies by organism regarding immune response stimulation; the immune status of the individual is critical in determining infection risk.
Definition: Environment where an organism lives and multiplies (can be animals, food, soil).
May include symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers of the pathogen.
Common exit routes for pathogens include secretions, fluids, excretions (e.g., urine, feces), and open lesions.
Understanding exit routes aids in preventing pathogen transmission.
Contact Transmission:
Direct: Skin-to-skin or mucous membrane-to-mucous membrane.
Indirect: Transfer from inanimate objects (e.g., doorknobs).
Examples: Influenza, MRSA, C. difficile.
Airborne Transmission: Small organisms suspended in the air, inhaled by a host (e.g., tuberculosis, measles).
Droplet Transmission: Larger droplets traveling a short distance (e.g., influenza, bacterial meningitis).
Vector-Borne: Involves insects/animals (e.g., malaria).
Pathogens can enter through ingestion, inhalation, or through skin contact.
Common routes: skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, urogenital, placenta.
Isolation Precautions: Measures to prevent microbial transmission from infected to unaffected individuals.
Standard Precautions: Hand hygiene, PPE, respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette; apply to all clients.
Transmission-Based Precautions: Specific to the means of transmission (contact, droplet, airborne).
Considerations include strict infection control procedures and observance of signs of infection.
Chest tubes, tracheostomy, urinary catheters, intravenous devices, feeding tubes should follow strict hygiene protocols.
Key practices include handwashing and maintaining equipment clean from contamination.
Transmission Type Awareness: Identify the transmission mode for tuberculosis. Options: a. Airborne b. Contact c. Droplet d. Vector.
Standard Precautions: Determine which statement regarding standard precautions is incorrect (multiple-choice question).
Infectious Waste Include: Blood components, sharps, infected body fluids.
Safe Waste Includes: Non-infected waste like cotton balls and PPE.
Clostridium difficile (C. diff): Causes colon inflammation, primarily spreads through feces.
Common in healthcare settings; major transmission via hand contamination.
Symptoms: Persistent diarrhea and nausea.
Diagnosis/Treatment: Identifying toxins in stool; antibiotics like Flagyl; focus on hand hygiene and environmental disinfection.
S. aureus: Anaerobic bacteria, survives long on surfaces.
Common sources: nasal passages, skin. Higher infection risk in vulnerable populations.
Transmitted through respiratory droplets.
Type Examples: Strep throat, Streptococcus pneumoniae, leading to severe complications without treatment.
Common in patients with specific vulnerabilities: burns, cystic fibrosis, etc.
Symptoms: Dyspnea, elevated fever, productive cough.
Examples: MRSA, E. coli, Viral hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS.
Differ in clinical manifestations and at-risk populations.
Includes Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella-zoster (Chickenpox).
Transmission via respiratory droplets and contact.
Transmitted by deer ticks; prevalent in northeastern and north-central U.S.
Symptoms include rash and neurological issues.
Procedures for donning and doffing sterile gloves; maintaining sterility during surgical interventions.
Sequence to follow when putting on and taking off personal protective equipment (PPE).
Utilizes clean gloves and methods to minimize contamination.
Emphasizes the need for adherence to hygiene guidelines and infection control practices in clinical settings.