INFECTION CONTROL

Mrs. Princily Benjhamen

Olickal
Microorganisms

• Organisms which
can only be seen by
a microscope
• To Live
• Warm temperature
• moisture
• darkness
Modes of transmission of infections
1. DROPLET INFECTION
• Via coughing or sneezing, or (in health care) during
suctioning. Droplets are relatively large (>5 µm) and
can be projected up to about one metre.
• Examples: Meningococcus; influenza (though there
is some debate); respiratory viruses.
• Precautions: Masks; cover mouth; stand clear.
2
Modes of transmission of infections
3. Indirect
• Infectious agent deposited onto an object or surface
(fomite) and survives long enough to transfer to
another person who subsequently touches the object.
• Examples: RSV; Norwalk; rhinovirus; perhaps influenza.
• Precautions: Sterilizing instruments; disinfecting
surfaces and toys in school.
Modes of transmission of infections

4. Airborne transmission:
• The micro organism remains in the air for
longer period such as TB
Modes of transmission of infections

5. Feco oral transmission: usually throurgh

contaminated food or water
Modes of transmission of infections

6.Vector borne:infections transmitted by

the bite of infected arthropod species,
such as mosquitoes, ticks, triatomine
bugs, sandflies, and blackflies1.
Arthropod vectors are cold-blooded
(ectothermic) and thus especially
sensitive to climatic factors.
 Modes of transmission of
infections
• Iatrogenic transmission: Transmission of
infectious agents due to a medical
procedure.
 Ways of transmission
• Horizontal transmission
• Agent transmission from one individual to
another in the same generation (peers in the
same age group). by either direct contact
(licking, touching, biting), or indirect contact
air – cough or sneeze
 Ways of transmission
• Vertical transmission
• Passage of a disease-causing agent (pathogen)
from mother to baby during the period
immediately before and after
birth. Transmissionmight occur across the
placenta, in the breast milk, or through direct
contact during or after birth.
Chain of Infection
 Journal:
Based on what you read in the
“Chain of Infection” article, in
your own words, describe why
and how we get sick.
 The Six Links…
• Pathogen
• Reservoir
• Place of Exit
• Method of Transmission
• Port of Entry
• Susceptible Host
 Reservoir
• The place for a pathogen to live
and grow
– Direct transmission:
Human or animal body (host)
– Indirect transmission:
Contaminated food or water
Animal/insect
Infected soil
 Place of Exit
• Ways pathogens escape the
reservoir
– Mouth
– Nose
– Broken skin
Method of Transmission
• A way to get to a new host
• Directly
– Body fluids (i.e. blood, secretions)
• Indirectly
– Intermediate hosts (i.e. toothbrushes,
animals, drinking fountains, food)
 Port of Entry
• Ways to enter a new host

– Broken skin
– Mouth
– Nose
– Eyes
– Genitals
– Insect bites
 Susceptible Host
• Those that have little (if any)
resistance to the pathogen and
thus, lack the ability to fight them
off
• Carriers: Those who carry germ,
but show no signs or symptoms;
can spread disease, but often do so
unknowingly
 Do all 6 links need to be

YES
connected in order for a
disease to be transmitted?
 …if even ONE link is
broken, an infection will
not occur!
 Break the Chain…
• Kill the pathogen
• Prevent contact
• Prevent its escape
• Prevent Transmission
• Block the Ports
• Resistant Host
 Kill Pathogen
• If you kill the pathogen, you stop it
from spreading
• Method
– Antibiotics or other medications
– Wash hands
 Prevent Contact
• By preventing things from coming
in contact with an infected source,
the pathogen has no place to
escape to
• Method:
– Quarantine/
isolate
those with
disease
 Prevent Escape
• If the pathogens cannot get out of
its host, the disease cannot
spread
• Method:
– Cover your mouth when you sneeze
– Wear a band-aid to cover wounds
 Prevent Transmission
• By not giving pathogens a means
to travel, we can stop the spread
• Method
– Kill/control infected animals/insects
– Ensure proper treatment of sewage
– Chlorinate drinking water
 Block the Ports
• If you do not have ways for
pathogens to get into a new host,
they cannot infect
• Method
– Cover wounds
– Do not eat “shady” food
 Resistant Host
• By making smart choices about
your health and developing a
strong immune system, your body
can fight off pathogens without
you ever feeling sick
• Method
– Exercise
– Eat well-balanced diet
– Get immunizations