the infectious process.byron

8/7/2019 The Infectious Process.byron

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Graduate School Of NursingGraduate School Of Nursing 11

The Infectious ProcessThe Infectious Process


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The Infectious Disease ProcessThe Infectious Disease Process

Microorganisms includeMicroorganisms include

the followingthe following

classifications: bacteria,classifications: bacteria,viruses, fungi, algae,viruses, fungi, algae,

yeasts, and protozoa.yeasts, and protozoa.

These organisms areThese organisms are

too small to be seen bytoo small to be seen bythe unaided human eye.the unaided human eye.


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They are found in theThey are found in the

soil, in the water, andsoil, in the water, and

on plants and animals.on plants and animals.In fact, billions areIn fact, billions are

found in humans on thefound in humans on the

skin and in both theskin and in both the

nasal and intestinalnasal and intestinaltracts.tracts.


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Although mostAlthough most

microorganisms live inmicroorganisms live in

harmony with the humanharmony with the human

body, somebody, somecalledcalledpathogenspathogenscan infect thecan infect the

body and cause disease.body and cause disease.

Infectious diseases rangeInfectious diseases range

from mild illnesses, such asfrom mild illnesses, such asa cold, to fatal illnesses,a cold, to fatal illnesses,

such as AIDS.such as AIDS.


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We occasionally come intoWe occasionally come into

contact with people orcontact with people or

animals that are infectedanimals that are infected

and thus expose ourselvesand thus expose ourselvesto the pathogens of theirto the pathogens of their

diseases. In fact, ourdiseases. In fact, our

environment is such thatenvironment is such that

everyday we live with someeveryday we live with somerisk of exposure torisk of exposure to

diseases.diseases.


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Some individuals, because of theSome individuals, because of thework they do, are at risk forwork they do, are at risk foroccupationally acquired infection. Foroccupationally acquired infection. Forthis reason, special policies andthis reason, special policies and

procedures have been developedprocedures have been developedThis program will cover:This program will cover:

the infectious disease processthe infectious disease process

potential exposure risks to employeespotential exposure risks to employees work practices that will minimize yourwork practices that will minimize your

risk of exposure to pathogenicrisk of exposure to pathogenicmicroorganismsmicroorganisms


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The infectious disease process is definedThe infectious disease process is defined

as the interaction between the pathogenicas the interaction between the pathogenic

microorganism, the environment, and themicroorganism, the environment, and thehost. The process may be thought of as ahost. The process may be thought of as a

circular chain with six links.circular chain with six links.


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The chainThe chain

begins with thebegins with the

existence of aexistence of a

specificspecific

pathogenicpathogenic

microorganism.microorganism.


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The second linkThe second link

is the reservoir,is the reservoir,an environmentan environment

where thewhere the

pathogen canpathogen can

survive.survive.


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The third link is theThe third link is the

means of escapemeans of escape

from the reservoirfrom the reservoir


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The fourth link is theThe fourth link is the

mode of transmissionmode of transmission

from the reservoir tofrom the reservoir to

the host.the host.


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The fifth link is theThe fifth link is the

means of entry intomeans of entry into

the host.the host.


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And the last link is the host's susceptibilityAnd the last link is the host's susceptibility

to the pathogenic microorganism.to the pathogenic microorganism.


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For an infectiousFor an infectious

disease to occur,disease to occur,

each link in theeach link in the

chain must bechain must be

connected.connected.


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If even one link of theIf even one link of the

chain is missing, itchain is missing, it

interrupts the process,interrupts the process,

and no infection willand no infection will

occur.occur.

Here the chain isHere the chain is

broken at the point ofbroken at the point ofhost susceptibility.host susceptibility.


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Here the mode ofHere the mode of

transmission breakstransmission breaks

the chain ofthe chain of

infection.infection.


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Hepatitis B VirusHepatitis B Virus

The microorganism known asThe microorganism known asHepatitis B Virus (or HBV) causesHepatitis B Virus (or HBV) causesan inflammation of the liver. Thisan inflammation of the liver. This

can result in illnesses such ascan result in illnesses such aschronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of thechronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of theliver, and liver cancer. Because theliver, and liver cancer. Because thevirus is present in the blood or bodyvirus is present in the blood or bodyfluids of a person with the Hepatiis Bfluids of a person with the Hepatiis BVirus, it is termed a blood borneVirus, it is termed a blood bornepathogen. Hepatitis B Virus is apathogen. Hepatitis B Virus is aserious health concern for anyserious health concern for anyemployee whose workemployee whose workresponsibilities bring them in contactresponsibilities bring them in contactwith blood or body fluids.with blood or body fluids.


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Human Immunodeficiency VirusHuman Immunodeficiency Virus

The Human ImmunodeficiencyThe Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus (HIV) is another blood borneVirus (HIV) is another blood bornepathogen. This lifepathogen. This life--threateningthreatening

virus compromises the body'svirus compromises the body'simmune system. Early symptomsimmune system. Early symptomsmay be similar to those of the flu.may be similar to those of the flu.During later stages of the disease,During later stages of the disease,the body is incapable of wardingthe body is incapable of warding

off other infections whichoff other infections whichfrequently prove fatal.frequently prove fatal.


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Penetration into the BloodstreamPenetration into the Bloodstream

Blood borne pathogens are transmitted when anBlood borne pathogens are transmitted when anindividual comes in contact with an infectedindividual comes in contact with an infected

person's blood or body fluids. However, contactperson's blood or body fluids. However, contactalone does not mean infection will result.alone does not mean infection will result.Pathogens must enter the bloodstream to causePathogens must enter the bloodstream to causeinfection.infection.

In the workplace, an employee may be exposedIn the workplace, an employee may be exposedto Hepatitis B Virus or HIV when infected bloodto Hepatitis B Virus or HIV when infected bloodor body fluid is allowed to enter the body byor body fluid is allowed to enter the body bymeans of penetration.means of penetration.


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This can occur through:This can occur through:

a needle sticka needle stick

a cut or break in the skina cut or break in the skin contact with mucouscontact with mucous

membranes such as thosemembranes such as those

of the eye, nose, andof the eye, nose, andmouthmouth


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Preventive MeasuresPreventive Measures

To interrupt the chain ofTo interrupt the chain of

infection for Hepatitis Virusinfection for Hepatitis Virusor HIV, use the followingor HIV, use the following

preventive measures:preventive measures:

Wash your hands to removeWash your hands to remove

infectious organisms beforeinfectious organisms before

they can enter the body.they can enter the body.


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Wear gloves as aWear gloves as a

barrier whenbarrier when

handling blood andhandling blood and

other body fluids.other body fluids.


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Wear faceWear face

protection whenprotection when

work tasks includework tasks include

the potential forthe potential for

spraying orspraying or

splattering of bodysplattering of body

substances.substances.


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Use caution whenUse caution when

handling needleshandling needles

and other sharpand other sharp

objects. They canobjects. They can

penetrate the skinpenetrate the skin

and create entriesand create entries

for pathogens.for pathogens.


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The safest way toThe safest way tohandle contaminatedhandle contaminatedneedles is to placeneedles is to placethem directly into athem directly into a

labeled sharpslabeled sharpscontainer withoutcontainer withoutrecapping. Thisrecapping. Thispractice minimizespractice minimizesyour risk of a needleyour risk of a needle

stick. If your workstick. If your workrequires you to recaprequires you to recapneedles, you will wantneedles, you will wantto learn a special oneto learn a special one--handed techniquehanded technique


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Finally, receive a Hepatitis B vaccinationFinally, receive a Hepatitis B vaccination

to decrease your susceptibility to theto decrease your susceptibility to the

disease. Presently, no vaccine for HIV isdisease. Presently, no vaccine for HIV is

available.available.


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Mycobacteria (tuberculosis)Mycobacteria (tuberculosis)

Another group of pathogensAnother group of pathogensknown as Mycobacteria causeknown as Mycobacteria causethe chronic lung diseasethe chronic lung diseasetuberculosis, also known astuberculosis, also known asTB. Although human beingsTB. Although human beingsare the main reservoirs, otherare the main reservoirs, otherprimates, cattle, and swine canprimates, cattle, and swine canalso be reservoirs.also be reservoirs.Tuberculosis is transmittedTuberculosis is transmittedprimarily through the air. Aprimarily through the air. Aperson with an active case ofperson with an active case ofthe disease discharges thethe disease discharges themicroorganisms by coughingmicroorganisms by coughingor sneezing.or sneezing.


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InhalationInhalation

Exposure occurs when others breathe theExposure occurs when others breathe thecontaminated air. Once inhaled, thecontaminated air. Once inhaled, the

pathogen may lodge in lung tissue andpathogen may lodge in lung tissue and

produce lesions.produce lesions.


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How then can employeesHow then can employees

protect themselves fromprotect themselves fromairborne diseases suchairborne diseases such

as tuberculosis?as tuberculosis?

Wear respiratoryWear respiratory

protection when workingprotection when working

with people and animalswith people and animals

in isolation forin isolation for

tuberculosistuberculosis


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If available,If available,

participate in yourparticipate in your

employer'semployer's

tuberculosistuberculosiscontrol program.control program.

A skin test isA skin test is

administered toadministered to

screen employeesscreen employeesfor exposure tofor exposure to

TB.TB.


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SalmonellaSalmonella

The next disease,The next disease,salmonellosis, is causedsalmonellosis, is causedby a group of bacteriaby a group of bacteriacalled salmonella. Thecalled salmonella. Themost commonmost commonmanifestation of thismanifestation of thisdisease is acutedisease is acutegastroenteritis orgastroenteritis orintestinal inflammation.intestinal inflammation.

Both animals andBoth animals andhumans are reservoirs forhumans are reservoirs forthe salmonella organism.the salmonella organism.Diseased animals andDiseased animals andhumans discharge largehumans discharge largenumbers of salmonella innumbers of salmonella in

their fecestheir feces


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IngestionIngestion

Infection results fromInfection results fromingesting (i.e., throughingesting (i.e., throughthe mouth) salmonellathe mouth) salmonellaorganisms. Employeesorganisms. Employeesmay be exposed to thesemay be exposed to theseorganisms when handlingorganisms when handlingsoiled diapers and linens,soiled diapers and linens,

fecal specimenfecal specimencontainers, or culturecontainers, or cultureplates used to isolateplates used to isolatesalmonellasalmonella


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You can guard against salmonellaYou can guard against salmonella

exposure by incorporating the followingexposure by incorporating the following

practices into your daily routine.practices into your daily routine.

As a first line defense against ingestingAs a first line defense against ingesting

microorganisms, don't put anything inmicroorganisms, don't put anything in

your mouth while at work.your mouth while at work.


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Wear gloves when your hands will likelyWear gloves when your hands will likely

come in contact with contaminatedcome in contact with contaminated

materials.materials.


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Wipe counters with a disinfectant afterWipe counters with a disinfectant after

performing tasks with materials that mayperforming tasks with materials that may

be contaminated.be contaminated.


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And, thoroughlyAnd, thoroughlywash your handswash your handsafter handlingafter handling

contaminated items.contaminated items.Even microscopicEven microscopicamounts of fecalamounts of fecalmatter may containmatter may contain

millions ofmillions ofsalmonellasalmonellaorganismsorganisms


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In summary, the infectious disease processIn summary, the infectious disease process

typically consists of three routes of entry:typically consists of three routes of entry:

PENETRATIONPENETRATION into the bloodstream,into the bloodstream,

exemplified by Hepatitis B Virus and HIV;exemplified by Hepatitis B Virus and HIV;

INHALATIONINHALATION of airborne organisms,of airborne organisms,

illustrated by Mycobacteria; andillustrated by Mycobacteria; and INGESTIONINGESTION of organisms, demonstratedof organisms, demonstrated

by salmonella.by salmonella.


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the infectious process.byron

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