1. The Chain of Infection

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

3. the various ways infection can be transmitted
2. the ways the infection chain can be broken

4. Types of Infections Endogenous
Infection or disease originates within the body
Examples: Congenital (present at birth) and tumors

5. Types of Infections Exogenous Nosocomial
Infection or disease originates outside the body
Examples: pathogenic organism that invade the body, trauma, and radiation
Nosocomial
Infection acquired by a person in a health care facility or long-term care facility.
Examples: Staphylococcus and pseudomonas
Nosocomial infections are often transmitted by health care worers.

6. Types of Infection Opportunistic
Infections that occur when the body’s defenses are weak.
These infections do not usually occur if people have intact immune systems.
Examples: Pneumocystis Pneumonia in individuals with AIDs

7. There are six links in the chain of infection :

8. 1st - The Infectious Agent
-any disease-causing microorganism (pathogen)
Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi, Rickettsia, Viruses, Helminths

9. -the organism in which the infectious microbes reside
2nd - The Reservoir Host
-the organism in which the infectious microbes reside

10. 2nd - The Reservoir Host - Human Body Animals Environment
Fomites - objects contaminated with infectious material that contains the pathogens (doorknobs,bedpans, instruments) -

11. What are “Carrier Hosts”
Hosts that do not show any outward signs or symptoms of a disease but are still capable of transmitting the disease are known as carriers.

12. 3rd - The Portal of Exit
-route of escape of the pathogen from the reservoir in which it has been growing
Examples: respiratory secretions, blood exposure, breaks in skin

13. Ways pathogens can leave the body:
3rd – The Portal of Exit
Ways pathogens can leave the body:
Urine and Feces
Saliva
Blood
Tears
Mucus Discharge
Sexual Secretions
Draining Wound

14. 4th - The Route of Transmission
-method by which the pathogen gets from the reservoir to the new host

15. direct contact – person to person
Transmission may occur through:
direct contact – person to person

16. air

17. insects

18. Food

19. 5th - The Portal of Entry
-route through which the pathogen enters its new host

20. Respiratory System
inhalation

21. Gastrointestinal System
ingestion

22. Urinary & Reproductive Tracts
Sexual contact

23. Breaks in Protective Skin Barrier

24. 6th - The Susceptible Host
-the organism that accepts the pathogen
The support of pathogen life & its reproduction depend on the degree of the host’s resistance.

25. Organisms with strong immune systems are better able to fend off pathogens.

26. Organisms with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to the support & reproduction of pathogens.

27. Cancer Patients
AIDS Patients
Transplant Patients
Infant & Elderly Patients

28. Remember--breaking the chain of infection is the responsibility
of each health professional.