the cause and spread of infection control

                                         establish themselves.

Schematic diagram of the ‘chain of infection’:

The Major Pathogens: provide a brief description of their key features.

Define characteristics of micro-organisms:

Pathogenicity:  The ability of a pathogen to produce an infectious disease in an

                                   Organism.

Virulence:  The degree of damage cause by a pathogen.

Opportunistic:  A bacteria, virus or fugus that takes advantage of opportunities to

                                    cause disease. E.g. when the immune system is cepressed.

Identify the requirement of pathogens fro growth.

• A favourable Host environment - Optimum temperature 20-45 degrees

                                       - Optimum ph

• A food source so it can grow

• Need water

• Oxygen if necessary

• Transmittion Method.

Produce a diagram to show modes of transmission of pathogens

Produce a diagram to show modes of entry into the body of pathogens.

Describe how a named viral infection may be spread:

Swine Flu

• Like most viruses, it enters the body through the mucous membranes - the eyes, the nose or the mouth.
• Swine flu is spread just like the regular seasonal flu spreads.
• It goes from person to person through close contact and direct touch, indirect touch, or respiratory droplets carrying the virus from person to person or from person to environmental surfaces through coughs and sneezes.
• If you touch where a person with swine flu touches, you will most likely pick up the virus and get the swine flu. That is how it spreads indirectly.

• You get direct spreading when you have skin to skin contact or direct person to person contact with an infected individual, such as shaking hands, kissing, or caring for a child or other infected person with hands-on care. You could be infected by getting too close to someone who has it.
  
• Do not share drinking glasses or eating utensils with someone, this can also spread the disease.
• It can be spread through gastrointestinal means, such as saliva, emesis (vomit) etc.

Describe how a named bacterial infection may be spread:

MRSA

• This bacteria is spread by contact, it can be passed on directly by someone who has it on their hands. Hand hygiene is very important in preventing the spread in this way.

• If a person has the bacteria in their nose, it can be spread to other parts of the body by touching the nose and then touching a different part of the body.

• People who are more prone to MRSA are those who are very ill or have wounds or open sores (for example bed-sores or burns).

• MRSA spreads from person to person usually by direct skin-to-skin contact.

• MRSA is usually caught from hospitals.

• Spread may also occur by touching sheets, towels, clothes, dressings, etc, which have been used by someone who has MRSA.
• Describe how a named fungal infection may be spread:

Ring Worm

• Ringworm is spread if an infected person or animal touches you.

• It can also be spread if you touch something that the infected person or animal has had contact with.

• Cats are the more likely animal to carry and transmit ringworm.

• People can get Ringworm from: 1) direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or pet, 2) indirect contact with an object or surface that an infected person or pet has touched, or 3) rarely, by contact with soil.

• It most commonly appears on the scalp, the groin area and the feet, although it can affect any part of the body.

• Ring worm is frequently spread through the shared use of personal items, particularly in damp or humid environments.