Causes_and_Spread_of_Infection

Causes and Spread of Infection Outcome 1. Understand the cause of infection 1.Identify the difference between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Bacteria Bacteria is a single celled organism, bacteria have evolved to thrive in almost any environment and can be found in almost any substance/surface and also in the human body, only 1% of bacteria is actually harmful. It's bad or infectious bacteria that cause illness as they rapidly reproduce and produce a toxin that kills or mutates cells, bacteria is also self sufficient. Viruses A virus is a small capsule that contains DNA or RNA, viruses, unlike bacteria are not self sufficient and need a host in order to reproduce I.E a human body. When a virus enters the body, it enters some certain cells and takes over making the now host cell make the parts the virus needs to reproduce, the cells are eventually destroyed through this process. The most common viruses is the common cold, which has no cure. Fungi Mould, yeast and mushrooms are all types of Fungi. Fungi live in the air, water, soil and on plants and they can live in the body, usually without causing illness. Some fungi have beneficial uses. For example, penicillin. Fungi are also essential in making certain foods, such as bread and cheese. Certain types of Fungi can cause illness such as Candida which is a yeast that can cause infections such as thrush. Parasites A parasite is a tiny organism that lives in or on a host (A body) which they use in order to feed. Parasites can cause severe illness's, there are 3 main types of parasites: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. 2. Identify common illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites Bacteria: Salmonellosis, tuberculosis, MRSA, coccidiosis, food poisoning, dysentery, bronchitis, ear infections, strep throat/tonsillitis, pneumonia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydia Viruses: Influenza, common cold, stomach flu, pneumonia, ear infections, HIV/AIDS, herpes, warts, dengue, West Nile Virus, encephalitis Fungi: Valley fever, athlete's foot, ringworm, yeast infection Parasites: Worms, schistosomiasis, malaria, sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis), leishmaniasis 3. Describe what is meant by infection and colonisation An infection, in general terms, is the illness caused by the growth of a germ on or in a person. Sometimes the infection does not give any symptoms - this is called an ‘asymptomatic’ infection. When the germ is commonly found on our body without causing an illness, we call it carriage or colonisation. Carriage may be very short term (transient). For example, acquired by touching someone but quickly removed by washing your hands, or persistent with the germ multiplying on your body (usually called colonisation). In certain circumstances the germs that colonise our bodies may go on to give an infection. 4. Explain what is meant by systemic infection and localised infection Systemic means it's in the blood stream and is spreading/has spread through the body. Septicaemia is an example of a systemic infection. Localised means the infection is restricted to one small area only. An infected cut or ulcer is an example of this. A localised infection can spread and become systemic. 5. Identify poor practice that may lead to the spread of infection not washing your hands not wearing PPE not storing or cooking foods properly not cleaning your surroundings not covering your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing. share personal items such as toothbrushes, towels, razors, handkerchiefs, and nail clippers can all be sources of infectious agents Outcome 2. Understanding the transmission of infection Explain the conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms FOOD These microorganisms need nutrients to grow on and are especially happy with proteins and carbohydrates. These are where the potentially hazardous foods come in, such as meats, poultry, dairy and eggs. ACIDITY pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline something is. The range starts at 0.0 and goes to 14.0 with 0-6.9 being Acidic, and 7.1-14 being alkaline. 7 is the Switzerland of pH, that is to say, neutral. Microorganisms tend to find themselves most happy in the slightly acidic range of 7.5-4.6, which also happens to be where most foods lie. TEMPERATURE Microorganisms grow best between 40°-141°F. Going outside the danger zone may not kill them. but merely slow their growth rates. This is one reason why temperature is only part of the time+temperature equation. TIME Microorganisms need time to grow and given the right environmental conditions, they are capable of doubling their numbers in just 20 minutes. If you leave food in the danger zone for four hours or more, the levels of Microorganisms can be high enough to make someone ill. OXYGEN Some microorganisms need Oxygen to grown, but not all of them do. Botulism is one of the tough ones that is anaerobic, which means it does not require any Oxygen to multiply. MOISTURE Most food borne microorganisms need some amount of moisture to grow, but again not all. The moisture in potentially hazardous foods is just right to provide the organisms what they need to grow. 2. Explain the ways an infective agent might enter the body An infection requires the presence of three elements; a source, a host, and a mode of transportation. Infection can be spread either directly or indirectly and consist of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Infectious elements can enter a body in one of the following ways: Skin contact or injuries - direct Inhalation of airborne germs - indirect Ingestion of contaminated food or water - indirect Tick or mosquito bites - direct Sexual contact - direct 3. Identify common sources of infections Usually disease can be contracted through air or fluids. Through human to human it is more often airborne than fluid borne. 4. Explain how infective agents can be transmitted to a person 5. Identify the key factors that will make it more likely that infection will occur