Disease Transmission Chapter 3

Microorganism, a disease causing agent How Infections Occur Pathogens Microorganism, a disease causing agent They enter the body and sometimes overpower the body’s natural defense and cause illness (infection) Most of the infectious diseases are caused by bacteria and viruses Bacteria & Viruses Staph HIV

How are they spread??? The pathogen must be present There must be enough of the pathogen present to cause the disease If the pathogen passes through the correct entry site The person is susceptible to the pathogen

How far does a sneeze travel??

Different Transmissions Direct Contact Indirect Contact When the infected blood or body fluid from one person enters another person’s body at a correct entry site Ex. Blood splashing in the eye Occurs when a person touches an object that contains the blood or another body fluid of an infect person, and that infected blood or other body fluid enters the body through a correct entry site Direct or Indirect?

Precautions Standard precautions are safety measures taken to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids when giving care to ill or injured persons Personal Hygiene Wet your hands with water Apply antimicrobial liquid soap to your hands Rub your hands vigorously for at least 15 sec, covering the entire surface of the hand Rinse hands with water Dry your hand thoroughly with a paper towel Turn off faucet using the paper towel

Personal Protective Equipment Equipment that helps keep you from directly contacting infected material: Wear disposable gloves Remove jewelry, such as rings, bracelets, and watches before wearing the gloves Cover any cuts, scrapes or sores prior to putting on protective equipment Do not use disposable gloves that are discolored, torn or punctured Do not clean or reuse disposable gloves Change gloves before you give care to a different victim Wear protective coverings mask, eyewear or gown, whenever you are likely to come in contact with blood or other body fluids Use breathing barriers Resuscitation masks or face shields Remove disposable gloves without contacting the soiled part of the glove

Cleaning up a Blood Spill Clean up ASAP Wear disposable gloves Wipe up with absorbent material Sterilize the area where spill occurred Dispose properly Cleaning up a Blood Spill

Disposing of Contaminated Material