What is the chain of infection definition?

The means by which an organism transfers from one carrier to another by either direct transmission (direct contact between infectious host and susceptible host) or indirect transmission (which involves an intermediate carrier like an environmental surface or piece of medical equipment).

What is the chain of infection answer?

No matter the germ, there are six points at which the chain can be broken and a germ can be stopped from infecting another person. The six links include: the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

What are the six links in chain of infection?

The 6 points include: the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, means of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. The way to stop germs from spreading is by interrupting the chain at any link.

What does a chain of infection start with?

The pathogen

The first link in the chain of infection is the infectious agent or pathogen which can take the form of: Viruses – such as Influenza A, shingles and Hepatitis.

Which 3 elements make up the chain of infection?

What is the chain of infection

What is the chain of infection Covid 19?

The virus enters the body by coming into contact with the mucusa of the eyes ,nose and mouth. Either by breathing in the droplets from an infected person or by transferring the virus by touching a contaminated object and then touching the eyes, nose and mouth.

How do you remember the chain of infection?

What is an example of chain of infection?

This describes the way the microorganism leaves the reservoir. For example, in the case of a person with flu, this would include coughing and sneezing. In the case of someone with gastro-enteritis microorganisms would be transmitted in the faeces or vomit.

What is the infection process?

The Infectious Disease Process. The infectious disease process includes the following components: (1) agent (2) reservoir (3) portals of entry and exit (4) mode of transmission (5) immunity. Types of agents range from the submicroscopic to the large parasites.

What are the stages of infection?

The five periods of disease (sometimes referred to as stages or phases) include the incubation, prodromal, illness, decline, and convalescence periods (Figure 2). The incubation period occurs in an acute disease after the initial entry of the pathogen into the host (patient).

What are the 4 routes of transmission?

What are the 5 basic modes of transmission of infection?

The transmission of microorganisms can be divided into the following five main routes: direct contact, fomites, aerosol (airborne), oral (ingestion), and vectorborne. Some microorganisms can be transmitted by more than one route.

How many links are in the chain of infection?

Certain conditions must be met in order for a microbe or infectious disease to be spread from person to person. This process, called the chain of infection, can only occur when all six links in the chain are intact. By breaking this chain at any of the links, the spread of infection is stopped.

What can cause an infection?

What causes infectious disease?

Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even helpful. But under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease.

What is the portal of entry?

A portal of entry is the site through which micro-organisms enter the susceptible host and cause disease/infection. Infectious agents enter the body through various portals, including the mucous membranes, the skin, the respiratory and the gastrointestinal tracts.

What can break the chain of infection?

Break the chain by cleaning your hands frequently, staying up to date on your vaccines (including the flu shot), covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick, following the rules for standard and contact isolation, using personal protective equipment the right way, cleaning and disinfecting the environment, ...

What are the 4 types of infections?

The four different categories of infectious agents are bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. When studying these agents, researchers isolate them using certain characteristics: Size of the infectious agent.

What is the chain of infection quizlet?

Transmission occurs when the agent leaves its reservoir or host through a portal of exit, is conveyed by some mode of transmission, and enters through an appropriate portal of entry to infect a susceptible host.

What are the 8 different modes of transmission?

The modes (means) of transmission are: Contact (direct and/or indirect), Droplet, Airborne, Vector and Common Vehicle. The portal of entry is the means by which the infectious microorganisms gains access into the new host. This can occur, for example, through ingestion, breathing, or skin puncture.

What are the two kinds of transmission?

There are two types of contact transmission: direct and indirect. Direct contact transmission occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible person. Indirect contact transmission occurs when there is no direct human-to-human contact.

What are examples of portal of entry?

The portals of entry are mucosal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and cutaneous.

What is the last step in the chain of infection?

The final link in the chain of infection is a susceptible host, someone at risk of infection. Infection does not occur automatically when the pathogen enters the body of a person whose immune system is functioning normally.

What is the weakest link in the chain of infection?

The means of transmission is the weakest link in the chain of infection, and it is the only link we can hope to eliminate entirely. Most infection control efforts are aimed at preventing the transport of germs from the reservoir to the susceptible host.

When is Covid infectious?

If you have COVID-19, you can pass on the virus to other people for up to 10 days from when your infection starts. Many people will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days. You should: try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days.