Chapter 14

Transmission of Microorganisms Contact with an infected person Direct contact Indirect contact Contact with human carriers Contact with animal or insect carriers Contact with inanimate or airborne carriers

Direct Contact This method involves handling, touching, coughing, sneezing, and blood or secretion contact

Direct Contact Handling / touching Bacteria is readily transmitted by touching an infected area Lack of proper hand washing contributes to infection

Direct Contact Coughing / Sneezing Viral infections (flu, cold) are readily passed by not covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing Droplets are inhaled by others and the infection spreads Body fluids Kissing, sexual contact, needle sticks, blood transfusions

Indirect Contact This method implies that the infected person has been in contact with a contaminated substance (most often food)

Indirect Contact Handling articles Laundering of contaminated bedding without washing hands Eating food prepared by an infected person

Contact with human carrier A carrier is someone who harbors a pathogen with or without developing any symptoms from the pathogen. “Typhoid Mary”

Microorganism Invasion Microorganisms can enter the body and may or may not cause infection. An infection will depend upon: The kind of organism and it’s virulence The number of organisms The resistance or body defenses The location of the invasion

Microorganism Invasion Pathogenic organism may enter the body through several routes the respiratory tract the alimentary canal the genitourinary tract abrasions in the skin mucous membranes of the eye

Health Care Procedures Health care workers must be familiar with Standard Precautions See page 274 and 416-420

Read Open books to page 271 Read pages 271-274

Assignment Read pages 269-275 Define six Key Words listed on page 269 Answer review questions A (# 1-12) on page 275-277