A Pathogen is something that causes a disease

A Pathogen is something that causes a disease. All of the following are pathogenic organisms
• Bacteria – are organisms made up of just one cell. They are capable of multiplying by themselves, as they have the power to divide quickly at body temperature and reach harmful levels very fast
• Viruses – can survive on surfaces and in food but can only multiply in living cells of a host. Close contact is needed to spread. It takes very few virus organisms to cause illness
• Fungi – yeasts and moulds that live on hosts that can be alive or dead and can infect humans
• Parasites – are part of a large group of organisms called eukaryotes. Parasites are different from bacteria or viruses because their cells share many features with human cells including a defined nucleus. Parasites live on or in another plant or animal organism known as the host
Identify common illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
• Bacteria – Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C Diff)
• Viruses – Norovirus (winter vomiting disease), Influenza (flu virus)
• Fungi – Athletes foot, ringworm
• Parasites – generally cause infestation rather than infections. These can lead to diseases such as scabies which are mites that burrow into the skin causing severe itching.
Describe what is meant by “infection” and “colonisation”
Infections are when bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi enter the body and multiply, evading the body’s immune system. Infections can then cause illness. Signs of infection are fever, pain, swelling, runny nose, sore throat, and rashes.
Colonisation is when bacteria and viruses are present in the body but do not cause illness.
Explain what is meant by “systemic infection” and “localised infection”
Systemic infection is caused by bacteria and viruses that have entered the bloodstream and spread around the body and become illnesses such as colds and flu.
Localised infection is when the whole body is not affected, an infection that is not in the bloodstream. Examples of this are of an infected wound or cut.
Identify poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection
• Poor hand washing techniques
• Not wearing Personal Protective Equipment PPE
• Not storing or cooking food properly
• Poor hygiene
• Inadequate Vaccinations
• Incorrect disposal of waste
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Understand the transmission of infection
Explain the conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms
Micro-organisms need moist environments to multiply. They need time to grow and temperatures ideally between 20-40 degrees Celsius.
Explain the ways an infective agent might enter the body
• Through openings in the body such as the mouth, nose, ears
• Cuts and grazes on the skin
• Surgical wounds
• Medical devices such as cannulas
• Transferred from mother to child
• Sexual transmission
Identify common sources of infection
• Contaminated Equipment
• Contaminated Food
• Contaminated Water
• Contact with ill people
Explain how infective agents can be transmitted to a person
• Direct contact such as touching, biting, sexual intercourse
• Indirect contact such as airborne
Identify the key factors that will make it more likely that infection will occur
• Weak immune system
• Poor infection control practice
• Vulnerable people such as babies and the elderly
• Open wounds