Nature of Micro- organisms Controlling Infection -

Microorganisms What are they? – Tiny organisms found in the air, on our skin, in our food, and on everything we touch that you cannot see without a microscope Good – Nonpathogenic, keep a balance in our environment Bad – Pathogenic, cause illness, infection, or disease

Microorganisms Anaerobic – Able to grow and function without oxygen Aerobic – Require oxygen to survive

Microorganisms Most that cause illness like warm temperatures (like the body temp) All need moisture Most prefer a dark area to grow What organisms in biology class like the same things?? Mold and Fungus

Microorganisms Nonpathogenic Organisms – Used for good things like making foods and beverages – Decompose organic material in nature – Breakdown food elements in the digestive system – Help control the growth of pathogenic organisms

Microorganisms Pathogenic Organisms – When organisms leave their normal environment in the body and move into other areas and become harmful – Examples: E.coli Salmonella Bacteria – Staph Viruses

Microorganisms Conditions Affecting the Growth of Bacteria 1. Food – bacteria grow well in the food left in a patient’s room 2. Moisture – bacteria grow well in moist places

Microorganisms Conditions Affecting the Growth of Bacteria 3. Temp 170 degrees F - kills most bacteria degrees F - most disease causing bacteria grow rapidly 98.6 degrees F – normal human body temp where bacteria can thrive easily 32 degrees F – low temperatures slow their activity and growth rate

Conditions Affecting the Growth of Bacteria 4. Oxygen - Aerobic – need oxygen - Anaerobic - don’t need oxygen 5. Light - Darkness – bacteria become active and multiply - Light – when exposed to direct sunlight bacteria become sluggish and die rapidly 6. Dead and Living Matter - Saprophytes – bacteria that live on dead matter or tissues - Parasites – bacteria that live on living matter Microorganisms

How they affect the body -Produce toxins -Food poisoning causes fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting -Tetanus toxins cause damage to the nervous system -Histamines cause allergic reactions like runny noses or more severe such as anaphylactic shock Microorganisms

How they are spread 1.Direct contact 2.Indirect Contact 3.Airborne 4.Oral Route 5.Insects and Pests Microorganisms

How do we protect from them? -Standard Precautions and Transmission- Based Precautions -Will cover later Microorganisms

Signs and Symptoms of an Infection -Generalized (example: cold and flu) -Headache, fatigue, fever, increased pulse and respiration -Localized (staph infection) -Redness, swelling, heat, possible drainage, pain Microorganisms

So what is the point??? -Microorganisms are all around us. -Some are good and some are bad -We need to understand them and how they spread to protect ourselves and our patients -Learn how to control and treat them -As a healthcare worker it is your responsibility to practice good techniques to prevent the spread of infection Microorganisms