The Infectious Process

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The Infectious Disease Process
 Microorganisms include
the following
classifications: bacteria,
viruses, fungi, algae,
yeasts, and protozoa.
These organisms are
too small to be seen by
the unaided human eye.

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 They are found in the
soil, in the water, and
on plants and animals.
In fact, billions are
  found in humans on the
                       
skin and in both the
        
nasal and intestinal
tracts.

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 The Infectious Disease Process
 Although most
microorganisms live in
harmony with the human
body, some—called

 
    
pathogens—can infect the
body and cause disease.
                                      
Infectious diseases range
from mild illnesses, such as
a cold, to fatal illnesses,
such as AIDS.
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 The Infectious Disease Process
 We occasionally come into
contact with people or
animals that are infected
and thus expose ourselves

  to the pathogens of their

diseases. In fact, our
                                
environment is such that
everyday we live with some
          

risk of exposure to
diseases.
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 The Infectious Disease Process
 Some individuals, because of the
work they do, are at risk for
occupationally acquired infection. For
this reason, special policies and
procedures have been developed
This program will cover:

 the infectious disease process

 potential exposure risks to employees
 work practices that will minimize your
risk of exposure to pathogenic
microorganisms
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The Infectious Disease Process
 The infectious disease process is defined
as the interaction between the pathogenic
microorganism, the environment, and the
host. The process may be thought of as a
circular chain with six links.

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The Infectious Disease Process
 The chain
begins with the
existence of a
specific
pathogenic
microorganism.

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The Infectious Disease Process

 The second link

is the reservoir,
an environment
where the
pathogen can
survive.

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The Infectious Disease Process

 The third link is the

means of escape
from the reservoir

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The Infectious Disease Process
 The fourth link is the
mode of transmission
from the reservoir to
the host. 

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 The Infectious Disease Process
 The fifth link is the
means of entry into
the host.

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 The Infectious Disease Process

 And the last link is the host's susceptibility

to the pathogenic microorganism.
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 The Infectious Disease Process
 For an infectious
disease to occur,
each link in the
chain must be
connected.

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 The Infectious Disease Process
 If even one link of the
chain is missing, it
interrupts the process,
and no infection will
occur.
 Here the chain is
broken at the point of
host susceptibility.

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The Infectious Disease Process
 Here the mode of
transmission breaks
the chain of
infection.

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 The Infectious Disease Process
Hepatitis B Virus
 The microorganism known as
Hepatitis B Virus (or HBV) causes
an inflammation of the liver. This can
result in illnesses such as chronic
hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and
liver cancer. Because the virus is
present in the blood or body fluids of
a person with the Hepatiis B Virus, it
is termed a blood borne pathogen.
Hepatitis B Virus is a serious health
concern for any employee whose
work responsibilities bring them in
contact with blood or body fluids.
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 The Infectious Disease Process
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
 The Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV) is another blood borne
pathogen. This life-threatening
virus compromises the body's
immune system. Early symptoms
may be similar to those of the flu.
During later stages of the disease,
the body is incapable of warding
off other infections which
frequently prove fatal.

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 The Infectious Disease Process
Penetration into the Bloodstream
 Blood borne pathogens are transmitted when an
individual comes in contact with an infected
person's blood or body fluids. However, contact
alone does not mean infection will result.
Pathogens must enter the bloodstream to cause
infection.
 In the workplace, an employee may be exposed
to Hepatitis B Virus or HIV when infected blood
or body fluid is allowed to enter the body by
means of penetration.
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 The Infectious Disease Process
This can occur through:
 a needle stick
 a cut or break in the skin
 contact with mucous
membranes such as those
of the eye, nose, and
mouth

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 The Infectious Disease Process
Preventive Measures
 To interrupt the chain of
infection for Hepatitis Virus
or HIV, use the following
preventive measures:
 Wash your hands to remove
infectious organisms before
they can enter the body.
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 The Infectious Disease Process
Wear gloves as a
barrier when
handling blood and

 
other body fluids.
                             
  

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The Infectious Disease Process
 Wear face
protection when
work tasks include
the potential for
spraying or
splattering of body
substances.

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The Infectious Disease Process
 Use caution when
handling needles
and other sharp
objects. They can
penetrate the skin
and create entries
for pathogens.

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 The Infectious Disease Process
 The safest way to
handle contaminated
needles is to place
them directly into a
labeled sharps
container without
recapping. This
practice minimizes
your risk of a needle
stick. If your work
requires you to recap
needles, you will want
to learn a special one-
handed technique Graduate School Of Nursing 26
The Infectious Disease Process
 Finally, receive a Hepatitis B vaccination
to decrease your susceptibility to the
disease. Presently, no vaccine for HIV is
available.

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 The Infectious Disease Process
Mycobacteria (tuberculosis)
 Another group of pathogens
known as Mycobacteria cause
the chronic lung disease
tuberculosis, also known as
TB. Although human beings
are the main reservoirs, other
primates, cattle, and swine can
also be reservoirs.
Tuberculosis is transmitted
primarily through the air. A
person with an active case of
the disease discharges the
microorganisms by coughing
or sneezing.

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The Infectious Disease Process

 Inhalation

Exposure occurs when others breathe the

contaminated air. Once inhaled, the
pathogen may lodge in lung tissue and
produce lesions.

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 The Infectious Disease Process
Preventive Measures

 How then can employees

protect themselves from
airborne diseases such
as tuberculosis?
 Wear respiratory
protection when working
with people and animals
in isolation for
tuberculosis
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 The Infectious Disease Process
 Also, work within a
laminar flow biological
safety cabinet when
manipulating cultures
and specimens that
may contain
tuberculosis
pathogens.

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The Infectious Disease Process
 If available,
participate in your
employer's
tuberculosis
control program.
A skin test is
administered to
screen employees
for exposure to
TB.
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 The Infectious Disease Process
Salmonella
 The next disease,
salmonellosis, is caused
by a group of bacteria
called salmonella. The
most common
manifestation of this
disease is acute
gastroenteritis or
intestinal inflammation.
Both animals and
humans are reservoirs for
the salmonella organism.
Diseased animals and
humans discharge large
numbers of salmonellaGraduate
in School Of Nursing
their feces
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 The Infectious Disease Process
 Ingestion

Infection results from

ingesting (i.e., through
the mouth) salmonella
organisms. Employees
may be exposed to these
organisms when handling
soiled diapers and linens,
fecal specimen
containers, or culture
plates used to isolate
salmonella
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 The Infectious Disease Process
Preventive Measures
 You can guard against salmonella
exposure by incorporating the following
practices into your daily routine.
 As a first line defense against ingesting
microorganisms, don't put anything in
your mouth while at work.

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The Infectious Disease Process
 Wear gloves when your hands will likely
come in contact with contaminated
materials.

 
    
                                 

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The Infectious Disease Process
 Wipe counters with a disinfectant after
performing tasks with materials that may
be contaminated.

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The Infectious Disease Process
 And, thoroughly
wash your hands
after handling
contaminated items.
Even microscopic
amounts of fecal
matter may contain
millions of
salmonella
organisms
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 The Infectious Disease Process
In summary, the infectious disease process
typically consists of three routes of entry:

 PENETRATION into the bloodstream,

exemplified by Hepatitis B Virus and HIV;
 INHALATION of airborne organisms,
illustrated by Mycobacteria; and
 INGESTION of organisms, demonstrated
by salmonella.
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