UNIT 4222-265 CAUSES AND SPREAD OF INFECTION

Outcome 1 Understand the causes of infection

1. Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites

- bacteria are tiny living beings (single-cell microorganisms) they are neither plants nor
animals - they belong to a group all by themselves, usually a few micrometers in length
that normally exist together in millions. Bacteria can be used in wastewater treatment to
break down sewage, and bacteria can be used in the food industry for example, in the
production of yogurt. Bacteria are single celled organisms.
- viruses differ from bacteria in that they do not reproduce in the food, and they need a
living host to replicate. They replicate by entering the cell of the host and taking over the
genetic material responsible for reproduction. They can infect all types of cells,
including bacteria, fungi, plants, animals, and the living cells within human beings.
- a fungus is a simple plant like organism. It reproduces sexually as well as asexually. Its
normally found as a single cell. Fungi reproduce via spores. They can have a variety of
shapes and sizes, and they can include yeast and molds. Fungi are a concern in spoilage
of food. And some fungi are pathogenic, meaning they can cause disease in humans.
- parasites differ from bacteria in that they need a living host to complete their life cycle.
Parasites can be found in: soil, water, air, animals.

2. Identify common illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and
parasites
- bacteria: Food poisoning, Bubonic plague, Bacterial meningitis, Cholera, Diphtheria,
Rheumatic fever, Scarlet fever, Tuberculosis
- viruses: Chicken pox, Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV, Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Shingles,
Yellow fever
- fungi: Athletes Foot, Ringworm, Otomycosis (ear),Thrush
- parasites: Malaria, River Blindness, Sleeping Sickness, Lyme Disease, Scabies

3. Describe what is meant by infection and colonization

- infection is an invasion of the body by a foreign substance such as germs, microbes and
parasites these can infect the body in many different ways.
- colonization is the development of a bacterial infection on an individual, as
demonstrated by a positive culture. The presence of the bacteria on a body surface (like
on the skin, mouth, intestines or airway).
- the infected person may have no signs or symptoms of infection while still having the
potential to infect others. Infection begins when an organism successfully colonizes by
entering the body, growing and multiplying.
The meaning of systemic infection and localised infection are Systemic infection means it
has infected the whole body, spreading possibly through the blood to all parts of the body
causing an all over infection. Localised infection means the infection stays in one place
more likely where the infection enters.

4. Explain what is meant by systemic infection and localized infection

- systemic infection means that the infection is throughout your body. This usually means
that the bacteria have been able to invade either your circulatory system or the lymphatic
system and spread.
- localised infection is restricted to a ceratin region of your body.

5. Identify poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection

- not washing your hands, not wearing PPE, poor waste disposal and storage procedures,
not storing or cooking foods properly, inadequate cleaning/decontamination of
environment and equipment, not cleaning your surroundings, not covering your nose
or mouth when sneezing or coughing.

Outcome 2 Understand the transmission of infection

1. Explain the conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms

-moisture - moisture is required to carry foods in solution into the cell, to carry wastes in
solution away from the cell, and to maintain the moisture content of the cytoplasm
- nutrients - lack of food hinders bacterial growth, and growth is favoured by a sufficient
quantity of the proper kind of food
- warmth - temperature has a profound influence on the growth rate of microorganisms.
Microorganisms subjected to adverse temperatures are either destroyed or are not able to
multiply. The optimum temperature of a microorganism is the temperature that provides
for the most rapid growth of that microorganism.
- time - time to reproduce.

2. Explain the ways an infective agent might enter the body

- down the respiratory tract (nose, windpipe, lungs) into the lungs. Coughs, cold,
influenza and other common airborne infections are contracted in this fashion.
- breaks in the skin. One of the many functions of the skin is to act as a barrier
against infection. Anything that penetrates the skin, or for that matter the mucous
membrane that lines the mouth or nose, provides a route for infection to enter.
Typically, bites, scratches, puncture wounds by needles etc increase the risk of
infection.
- down the digestive tract (mouth, stomach, intestines). Food, drink or other
infected products can be swallowed and infect the stomach or bowels. Most people
have experienced an 'upset stomach', which reveals itself in the form of diarrhea and
or vomiting.
- up the urinary (urethra, bladder, kidneys) and reproductive systems. The
infectious agent may remain localized or may enter the blood stream. Sexually
transmitted diseases most commonly infect the genitals. HIV, the AIDS virus, is
carried in bodily fluids and can be transmitted in saliva, seminal fluid, or blood

3. Identify common sources of infection

- people
- contaminated food
- contaminated equipment
- contaminated laundry
- clinical waste
- dust
- via: hands; equipment; environment

4. Explain how infective agents can be transmitted to a person

- you can acquire diseases in many ways: intradermal - by piercing the skin and letting
germs enter through respiratory tract - by inhaling it you can absorb some things through
the skin, such as chemicals - dmso mixed with other things makes it easier to absorb. you
can acquire diseases through having sex with infected person you can be injected deep
into muscle, through infected needles or other sharp objects you can be infected through
contaminated IVs you can ingest (eat) something that has infectious germs you can get
urinary tract infections by wiping the wrong way with soiled toilet tissue. You can get
vaginal infections by wiping the wrong way with soiled toilet tissue.

5. Identify the key factors that will make it more likely that infection will occur
- infection is a process in which bacteria, viruses, fungi or other organisms enter the body,
attach to cells, and multiply. To do this, they must evade or overcome the body's natural
defenses at each step. Organisms that can cause illness are all around us: in air, water,
soil, and food, as well as in the bodies of animals and other people. Infection occurs when
some of them get past a series of natural defenses. Those defenses include: Skin: the skin
physically blocks germs, but may let them in if it is cut or scraped.
Coughing deeply: this expels germs from the lungs and breathing passages but may be
less effective for weak, sick, or injured people.
Bacteria: called "resident flora," harmless bacteria normally are present in some parts of
the body. They compete with harmful germs and crowd them out. But they can be
weakened or killed by medications, allowing harmful germs to thrive and cause illness.