chain of infection 2.ppt

7/30/2019 chain of infection 2.ppt

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e a n o

InfectionInfection



As healthcareAs healthcare

professionals, itprofessionals, itis important tois important to

understand twounderstand twothings aboutthings about

infectioninfection:



1.the various ways infection can

be transmitted

2. the ways the infection chaincan be broken



There are sixThere are sixlinkslinks

in the chainin the chain

of infectionof infection ::



1st - The Infectious Agent1st - The Infectious Agent

-any disease-causing

microorganism(pathogen)



2nd - The Reservoir Host2nd - The Reservoir Host

-the organism in which the

infectious microbes reside



Hosts that do not show any outward signs or

symptoms of a disease but are still capable

of transmitting the disease are known ascarriers.

What are “Carrier Hosts”What are “Carrier Hosts”



3rd - The Portal of Exit3rd - The Portal of Exit

-route of escape of the pathogen

from the reservoir.Examples: respiratory

secretions, blood

exposure, breaks inskin.

4 h Th R f



4th - The Route of 4th - The Route of

Transmission Transmission

-method by which the pathogengets from the reservoir to the

new host



Transmission may occur through:

Contact transmission



A. Direct Contact

– person to person transfer of organism.

• Direct skin to skin contact – byhandshaking

• Direct mucous membrane -to-mucous membrane contact bykissing or sexual intercourse.



B. Indirect contact.

– occurs when the susceptible personcomes in contact with a

contaminated object.• Indirectly via contamination of food

and water by fecal materials.

• Indirectly via transfusion of contaminated blood from ill person orby parenteral injections.





Air – borne Transmission

• Occurs when fine microbial particles

or dust particles containing microbesremain suspended in the air for aprolong period; spread by air current

and inhaled.





Borne

transmission

• Occurs when an intermediatecarriers, such as flea, flies,mosquitoes, transfer the microbes to

another living organism, broughtabout by bites of arthropods.



5th - The Portal of Entry5th - The Portal of Entry

-route through which the

pathogen enters its new host.







Urinary & Reproductive Tracts

S e x u

a l

S e x u

a l

c o n t a

c t

c o n t a

c t



Breaks in Protective Skin Barrier



6th - The6th - The Susceptible HostSusceptible Host

-the organism that accepts the

pathogen

The support of pathogen life & itsreproduction depend on the degree

of the host’s resistance.



Organisms with strong immuneOrganisms with strong immune

systems are better able to fend off systems are better able to fend off

pathogens.pathogens.



Organisms with weakened immuneOrganisms with weakened immune

systems are more vulnerable to thesystems are more vulnerable to the

support & reproduction of pathogens.support & reproduction of pathogens.



-The essential part of patient care

& self-protection.

How to interrupt the chain of How to interrupt the chain of

infection:infection:







3. Control Portals of Exit3. Control Portals of Exit

-healthcare personnel mustpractice standard precautions:

(C l b d i & h



(Control body secretions & wash

hands according to protocol.)



5 Protect Portal of5 Protect Portal of



5. Protect Portal of 5. Protect Portal of EntryEntry

-Health professionals must make

sure that ports of entry are notsubjected to pathogens.

(nose, mouth, eyes, urinary tract,

open wounds, etc.)

6 Recognition of6 Recognition of



6. Recognition of 6. Recognition of

Susceptible HostSusceptible Host

-health professionals must recognize& protect high-risk patients







chain of infection 2.ppt

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