FUNDA 2 (ASEPSIS

• Infection


  An invasion of the body tissue by microorganisms and their proliferation there
• Asepsis


  • The absence of disease-producing microorganisms
  • Being free from infection
• Medical Asepsis


  • Practices designed to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens
  • Clean technique
• Surgical Asepsis


  • Practices that render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms
  • Sterile technique
• Sepsis


  The presence of infection
• Septicemia


  Transport of an infection or the products of infection throughout the body or by blood
• Carrier


  A person or an animal, who is without signs of illness but who harbors pathogens within his body that can be transferred to another
• Contact


  A person or an animal known or believed to have been exposed to a disease
• Reservoir


  The natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms
• Transient flora or bacteria


  The microorganism picked up by the skin as a result of normal activities that can be removed readily
• Resident flora or bacteria


  The microorganism that normally live on a person's skin
• Sterilization


  The process by which all microorganisms including their spores are destroyed
• Disinfectant


  • A substance, usually intended for use on inanimate objects, that destroys pathogens but generally not the spores
  • Examples of items that are disinfected: surgical instruments, thermometers
• Antiseptic


  • A substance, usually intended for use on persons that inhibit the growth of pathogens but not necessarily destroy them
  • Example is the substance used for surgical wounds
• Bactericidal


  A chemical that kills microorganisms
• Bacteriostatic


  An agent that prevents bacterial multiplication but does not kill all forms of organisms
• Contamination


  The process by which something is rendered unclean or unsterile
• Disinfection


  The process by which pathogens but not their spores are destroyed from inanimate objects
• Communicable Disease


  Results if the infectious agent can be transmitted to an individual by direct or indirect contact through a vector or vehicle, or as an airborne infection
• Infectious Disease


  Results from the invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in a host
• Pathogen


  A disease-producing microorganism
• Pathogenecity


  The ability to produce a disease
• Virulence


  The vigor with which the organism can grow and multiply
• Specificity


  The organism's attraction to a specific host, which may include humans
• Opportunistic Pathogen


  Causes disease only in susceptible individual
• Nosocomial Infection


  Hospital-acquired infection
• Isolation


  The separation of persons with communicable diseases from other persons so that either direct/ indirect transmission to susceptible persons is prevented
• Isolation Techniques


  Practices designed to prevent the transfer of specific microorganisms
• Etiology


  The study of causes
• Stages of Infectious Process

  1. Incubation Period

  2. Prodromal Period

  3. Illness Period

  4. Convalescent Period
• The Chain of Infection

  • Etiologic Agent (microorganism)
  • Reservoir (source)
  • Portal of Exit from Reservoir
  • Mode of Transmission
  • Portal of Entry
  • Susceptible Host
• Etiologic Agent (microorganism)


  • The ability of the infectious agent to cause a disease depends on its pathogenecity, virulence, invasiveness and specificity
• Reservoir (source)


  • Humans (clients, visitors, health care personnel)
  • Animals (insects, rats)
  • Plants
  • General Environment (air, water, food, soil)
• Portal of Exit from Reservoir

  • Respiratory Tract: droplets, sputum
  • Gastrointestinal Tract: vomitus, feces, saliva, drainage tubes
  • Urinary Tract: urine, urethral catheters
  • Reproductive Tract: semen, vaginal discharge
  • Blood: open wound, needle puncture site
• Mode of Transmission


  • Contact Transmission (direct, indirect)
  • Droplet Transmission
  • Vehicle Transmission
  • Airborne Transmission
  • Vector-borne Transmission
• Contact Transmission


  • Direct contact involves immediate and direct transfer from person to person (body surface - to - body surface)
  • Indirect contact occurs when a susceptible host is exposed to a contaminated object such as dressing, needle, surgical instrument
• Droplet Transmission


  Occurs when mucous membrane of the nose, mouth, or conjunctiva are exposed to secretions of an infected person who is coughing, sneezing, laughing, or talking, usually within a distance of 3 feet
• Vehicle Transmission


  Involves the transfer of microorganisms by way of vehicles or contaminated items that transmit pathogens
• Airborne Transmission


  Occurs when fine particles are suspended in the air for a long time or when dust particles contain pathogens. Air current disperses microorganisms, which can be inhaled or deposited on the skin of a susceptible host
• Vector-borne Transmission


  • Biologic vectors are animals, like rats, snails, mosquitos
  • Mechanical vectors are inanimate objects that are infected with infected body fluids like contaminated needles and syringes