1. Chapter 5 The Infectious Process and Environmental Control
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2. What Makes an Illness Communicable?
Three components are required for an illness to be communicable:
Pathogen
Susceptible host or individual
Method of transmission
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3. What Makes an Illness Communicable?
Pathogen
Method of
Transmission
Susceptible
Host
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4. How are Illnesses Transmitted?
Pathogens or organisms (e.g., viruses, parasites, bacteria, fungi) can be transmitted in several ways:
Airborne
Fecal-oral
Direct contact
Indirect contact
Give an example of an illness that is transmitted by each of these methods.
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5. Stages of an Infectious Illness
Describe what typically occurs during each of these stages:
Incubation
Prodromal
Acute
Convalescence
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6. Controlling Infectious Illness…..
Understanding the communicable process provides the most effective means for limiting the spread of infectious illnesses.
Teachers have an ethical and professional responsibility to protect the wellness of all children in a group setting.
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7. Infection Control Measures
Ongoing teacher observations provide early clues about a child’s changing state of health.
Policies should be in place and address a variety of protective measures such as exclusion guidelines, cleaning procedures, diapering procedures, food preparation, hand washing, and sanitation.
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8. Infection Control Measures (continued)
Immunizations should be current and required for children and teachers.
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9. Infection Control Measures (continued)
Environmental measures must be implemented and include:
Universal infection control precautions for handling body fluids (e.g. blood, feces, vomited matter) and disinfection (Table 5-2)
Using proper hand washing technique and washing at appropriate times (Tables 5-3)
Click on link and watch the CDC’s “Hands Together” video on hand washing:
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10. Environmental measures (continued)
Cleaning and disinfecting eating and food preparation areas, bathrooms, diapering areas, toys, and equipment (Table 5-4).
Arranging rooms to minimize extended periods of close contact.
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11. Environmental measures (continued)
Maintaining comfortable room temperatures; opening doors and windows for fresh air.
Taking special precautions with sandboxes, pools, and water tables.
Teaching children, teachers, and families about infectious illness and effective control measures.
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12. Caring for Mildly Ill Children
Factors to consider
Is the illness highly contagious?
Will other children be placed at risk?
Does the child feel well enough to participate?
Does the child’s illness place them at greater risk of catching something else?
Can teachers meet the child’s needs as well as those of the other children in attendance?
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