Chain of Infection
any microorganism that causes an infectious disease (pathogen)
what is an infectious agent
tiny, unicellular cells that produce disease, can live outside the body on an inanimate object
What is bacteria?
Cellular and Inflammatory responses
What is the second line of defense?
rapid onset of symptoms but lasts a relatively short time
what is an acute infection?
cleaning process that reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level, removes debris such as blood and any other body fluids from instruments and equipment
what is sanitization?
anything a pathogen can live and thrive on
what is a resevoir?
The smallest of all pathogens cannot survive without a susceptible host
What is a virus?
physical and chemical barriers
what is the first line of defense?
persists for a long time, sometimes life. can be asymptomatic, still detectable in blood tests
what is a chronic infection?
The process of killing pathogenic organisms or rendering them inactive
what is disinfection?
The path which a pathogen leaves its resevoir host (nose, mouth, eyes, body fluid) and then the site where a pathogen enters
What is the portal of exit and the portal of entry?
parasitic plants that depend on other life forms for nutritional source. Grows best in warm, damp, and humid conditions
What is Fungi?
specific immunity (antibodies, humoral immunity)
what is the third line of defense?
a host with an impaired immune system response is susceptible to this, not typically seen in patients with a healthy immune system
what is an opportunisic infection?
destroys microorganisms including all pathogens and spores
what is sterilization?
Direct and indirect contact of a pathogen
What is the mode of transmission
insects that carry disease from one host to another
What is a vector?
vomiting, cillia, tears, skin
symptoms cycle through periods of relapse and remission. may lay dormant along nerve pathway for years and later errupt as a more painful disease
What is a latent infection?
sound waves are used to sanitize instruments, safest way to achieve adequate sanitization
what is ultrasonic sanitization?
Likely to be harmed by a pathogen
what is a susceptible host?
specialized medical care for people living with a serious, chronic, or life-threatening illness. focuses on releaving symptoms
what is palliative care?
phagocytic cells, leukkocytes
What is the second line of defense?
infections people get while they are receiving health care for another condition
What is a healthcare associate/nosocomial infection?
moist heat, dry heat, ultraviolet radiation. 250 degrees, 20-40 mins
what is an autoclave?