Infection Control

I. Vocabulary  Microorganism (microbe) Small, living organism that is not visible to the naked eye  Pathogen Microbe that causes infection and disease  Nonpathogen Microbes that are beneficial for certain body processes

Example  E. coli can be beneficial in one system, but pathogenic in another

II. What do microorganisms need?  Warm environment (body temp)  Darkness  Source of food and moisture  Aerobic-need oxygen, Anaerobic-do not need oxygen  The body is a perfect place for microorganisms to live and reproduce!

III.BACTERIA- One celled organisms  Cocci Round shape  Diplococci: Bacteria in pairs Gonorrhea, meningitis, pneumonia  Streptococci: Bacteria in chains Strep throat, rheumatic fever  Staphlococci: Bacteria in clusters or groups Pus-producing Boils, Urinary tract infections, wound infections, toxic shock

BACTERIA-One celled organisms  Bacilli: Rod-shaped bacteria Occur singly, in pairs, or in chains Flagella (tail to move with) Form spores which are hard to kill Diseases:  Tuberculosis, tetanus, whopping cough, botulism, diptheria, typhoid

BACTERIA-One celled organisms  Spirilla-Spiral or corkscrew shape Diseases include syphilis and cholera

Protozoa  One-celled animal-like organisms  Found in decayed materials, animal feces, insect bites, and contaminated water  Many have flagella to swim  Diseases: Malaria, amebic dysentery, African sleeping sickness

V. Fungi  Plantlike organisms  Live on dead organic matter  YEASTS and MOLD  Diseases: Ringworm, athlete’s foot, yeast vaginitis, thrush

VI. Rickettsiae  Parasitic microorganisms  Can’t live outside their host  Found in fleas, lice, ticks, mites  Transmitted to humans by bites  Diseases: Typhus fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever

VII. Viruses  Smallest microorganisms  Can’t reproduce unless inside a cell  Spread by blood and body secretions  NOT AFFECTED BY ANTIBIOTICS  Mutate quickly  Diseases: Cold, mumps, measles, chicken pox, herpes, warts, influenza, polio, west nile virus, SARS, HIV, H5N1 (avian bird flu)

Important Viruses-Hepatitis B  HBV virus  Transmitted by blood, serum, or other body secretions  Affects liver  Vaccine is available (3 shots)

Important Viruses-Hepatitis C  HCV virus  Transmitted by blood and blood- containing body fluids (can remain active in dried blood for several days)  No symptoms or mild symptoms like flu  Can cause severe liver problems  Difficult to kill

Important Viruses-AIDS  Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome  Supresses immune system  Can’t fight off cancers and infections that a healthy person easily fights  No cure, no vaccine (in development)

VIII.Helminths- Parasitic organisms  Worms and flukes  Humans ingest eggs or larvae in contaminated food (some penetrate skin)  Examples: Hookworms-attach to small intestine, can get to heart and lungs Tapeworm-attaches to small intestine, crawls out anus

IX. Types of Infection  Pathogen produces toxin (poison)  Cause allergic reaction  Attack and destroy living cells they invade

Types of Infection  Endogenous: infection or disease originates within the body  Exogenous: Infection or disease originates outside the body  Nosocomial: Acquired by an individual in a health care facility  Opportunistic: Occur when the body’s defenses are weak

X. Chain of Infection  Causative Agent: pathogen  Reservoir: Place to live  Portal of Exit: A way to escape the reservoir (feces, urine, mucus, etc)  Mode of transmission: Direct contact, Indirect contact  Portal of Entry: A way to get into new host  Susceptible host

XI. Body Defenses  Mucous membranes  Cilia  Coughing and sneezing  Hydrochloric acid  Tears in eyes  Fever  Inflammation  Immune response

X. Aseptic Techniques-Vocabulary  Asepsis: Absence of disease- producing pathogens  Sterile: Free from all organisms (pathogenic or nonpathogenic)  Contaminated: Pathogens present

Aseptic Techniques  Antisepsis: Antiseptics prevent or inhibit growth of pathogens (not effective against spores & viruses)  Disinfection: Process that destroys or kills pathogenic organism (not effective against spores & viruses) Can irritate or damage skin, used on objects  Sterilization: Process to destroy all pathogens (includes spores & viruses)

XII. Common Aseptic Techniques  Handwashing  Good personal hygiene  Use of disposable gloves when contacting body secretions  Proper cleaning of instruments