The Chain of

Infection

As healthcare
professionals, it
is important to
understand two
things about
infection:
infection

1.thevariouswaysinfectioncan
betransmitted
2.thewaystheinfectionchain
canbebroken

There are six

links
in the chain
of infection :

1st - The Infectious Agent

anydiseasecausing
microorganism
(pathogen)

Types of Microorganisms
Bacteria- simple one-celled organisms
Cocci (round shape-e.g.., streptococci)
Bacilli (rod shaped e.g., TB)
Spirilla (spiral shape e.g., syphilis)
Protozoa one-celled animals often found in decayed
materials & contaminated water (amebic dysentery,
malaria)
Fungi - Plant-like organisms that live on dead organic
matter (yeasts and molds e.g., thrush)
Rickettsiae (parasitic organisms fleas, ticks,
mites e.g., Lyme disease)
Viruses - smallest microbes (HIV, Hepatitis B and C)
Helmiths - parasitic worms

2nd - The Reservoir

theorganism/placeinwhich
theinfectiousmicrobesreside

WhatareCarrierHosts
Hoststhatdonotshowanyoutwardsignsor
symptomsofadiseasebutarestillcapable
oftransmittingthediseaseareknownas
carriers.

3rd - The Portal of Exit

routeofescapeofthepathogen
fromthereservoir.
Examples:respiratory
secretions,blood
exposure,breaksin
skin

4th - The Route of

Transmission
methodbywhichthepathogen
getsfromthereservoirtothe
newhost

Transmissionmayoccurthrough:

directcontact

air

insects

5th - The Portal of Entry

routethroughwhichthe
pathogenentersitsnewhost

RespiratorySystem
n
it o
a
l
a
h
in

in
ge
st
io n

GastrointestinalSystem

Se
co xu
nt al
ac
t

Urinary&ReproductiveTracts

BreaksinProtectiveSkinBarrier

6th - The Susceptible Host

theorganismthatacceptsthe
pathogen
Thesupportofpathogenlife&its
reproductiondependonthedegree
ofthehostsresistance.

Organismswithstrongimmune
systemsarebetterabletofendoff
pathogens.

Organismswithweakenedimmune
systemsaremorevulnerabletothe
support&reproductionofpathogens.

Howtointerruptthechainof
infection:
Theessentialpartofpatientcare
&selfprotection.

1. Pathogen
Identification
identificationofinfectious
agent&appropriatetreatment

2. Asepsis & Hygiene

potentialhosts&
carriersmustpractice
asepsis&maintain
properpersonalhygiene

3. Control Portals of Exit

healthcarepersonnelmust
practicestandardprecautions:

(Controlbodysecretions&wash
handsaccordingtoprotocol.)

4. Prevent a Route of
Transmission
preventdirectorindirectcontact
by:

1. Properhandwashing

2. Disinfection&sterilizationtechniques
3. Isolationofinfectedpatients
4. Notworkingwhencontagious

5. Protect Portal of
Entry
Healthprofessionalsmustmake
surethatportsofentryarenot
subjectedtopathogens.
(nose,mouth,eyes,urinarytract,
openwounds,etc.)

6. Recognition of
Susceptible Host

healthprofessionalsmustrecognize
&protecthighriskpatients

CancerPatients
AIDSPatients
TransplantPatients
Infant&Elderly
Patients

Rememberbreakingthechainof
infectionistheresponsibility
ofeachhealthprofessional.