Infectious Agent
This term describes any microorganism capable of causing disease.
What is a pathogen (or infectious agent)?
The natural environment in which a pathogen lives and multiplies.
What is the reservoir?
Pathogens leave the body through this link in the chain of infection.
What is the portal of exit?
The way a pathogen moves from one host to another is called this.
What is the mode of transmission?
This simple action is the most effective way to prevent infection spread.
What is handwashing (hand hygiene)?
This animal acts as a reservoir for rabies.
What is a dog, bat, or other mammal?
The place where germs enter the body to cause an infection is called what?
What is portal of entry?
When germs spread from one person to another through touching hands, what type of transmission is this?
What is direct contact transmission?
This parasite causes malaria.
What is Plasmodium?
Immunizations work by strengthening this link in the chain.
What is the susceptible host?
PPE such as gloves and masks primarily block which two links?
What are the portal of exit and portal of entry?
Proper disposal of needles breaks the chain at this link.
What is the mode of transmission?
Viruses differ from bacteria because they rely on this to reproduce.
What is host cell/susceptible host?
A person who harbors a pathogen but shows no symptoms is known as this.
What is a carrier?
Sneezing or coughing releases pathogens through this type of portal.
What is the respiratory tract?
When germs travel through the air from coughing or sneezing, what type of transmission is this?
What is airborne transmission?
This type of infectious agent cannot reproduce without a host cell.
What is a virus?
Isolating infected patients breaks the chain at which link?
What is reservoir
The same body opening can act as both an exit and entry point — name one example.
What is the mouth?
When a mosquito carries and spreads diseases like malaria from one person to another, what type of transmission is this?
What is vector-borne transmission?