what is the source of infection

What are the main sources of infection?

Infectious diseases can be caused by:Bacteria. These one-cell organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis.Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS.Fungi. ... Parasites.

What is infection and its sources?

An infection occurs when a microorganism enters a person's body and causes harm. The microorganism uses that person's body to sustain itself, reproduce, and colonize. These infectious microscopic organisms are known as pathogens, and they can multiply quickly. Examples of pathogens include: bacteria.

What is the biggest source of infection?

Person to person spread. This is the most common way that we get an infectious disease. Germs can spread from person to person through: the air as droplets or aerosol particles.

Is host the source of infection?

Healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) are the result of a sequence of events that take place between an infectious agent (or pathogen), a host and an environment – in a process that is referred to as the 'chain of infection'.

What are the 3 main ways infection can get into the body?

Pathogens can enter the body by coming into contact with broken skin, being breathed in or eaten, coming into contact with the eyes, nose and mouth or, for example when needles or catheters are inserted. The sixth and final link in the chain is the person at risk.

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 are four ways that infection can be spread?

5 Common Ways Germs are SpreadNose, mouth, or eyes to hands to others: Germs can spread to the hands by sneezing, coughing, or rubbing the eyes and then can be transferred to other family members or friends. ... Hands to food: ... Food to hands to food: ... Infected child to hands to other children: ... Animals to people:

What is the infection?

(in-FEK-shun) The invasion and growth of germs in the body. The germs may be bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, or other microorganisms. Infections can begin anywhere in the body and may spread all through it. An infection can cause fever and other health problems, depending on where it occurs in the body.

What is infection and types of infection?

Infection occurs when germs enter your body and multiply, resulting in disease. The four main types of infections are viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic.

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 are the different sources of infection Class 9?

Infectious diseases are the diseases caused by various pathogenic microorganisms such as virus, bacteria, protozoan, fungi, and other parasites. These infectious diseases can be transmitted by animals, humans, insects or other agents.

How does an infection occur?

An infection occurs when germs enter the body, increase in number, and cause a reaction of the body. Three things are necessary for an infection to occur: Source: Places where infectious agents (germs) live (e.g., sinks, surfaces, human skin) Susceptible Person with a way for germs to enter the body. Transmission: a way germs are moved ...

What are the sources of germs?

People are one source of germs including: Patients. Healthcare workers. Visitors and household members. People can be sick with symptoms of an infection or colonized with germs (not have symptoms of an infection but able to pass the germs to others). Germs are also found in the healthcare environment. Examples of environmental sources of germs ...

What is the term for the way germs are moved to the susceptible person?

Transmission . Transmission refers to the way germs are moved to the susceptible person. Germs don’t move themselves. Germs depend on people, the environment, and/or medical equipment to move in healthcare settings.

How do germs travel in healthcare?

There are a few general ways that germs travel in healthcare settings – through contact (i .e., touching), sprays and splashes, inhalation, and sharps injuries (i. e., when someone is accidentally stuck with a used needle or sharp instrument). Contact moves germs by touch (example: MRSA or VRE).

What is the name of the virus that can be spread by spraying your nose?

Sprays and splashes occur when an infected person coughs or sneezes, creating droplets which carry germs short distances (within approximately 6 feet). These germs can land on a susceptible person’s eyes, nose, or mouth and can cause infection (example: pertussis or meningitis).

What is a susceptible person?

A susceptible person is someone who is not vaccinated or otherwise immune, or a person with a weakened immune system who has a way for the germs to enter the body.

How do hands become contaminated?

For example, healthcare provider hands become contaminated by touching germs present on medical equipment or high touch surfaces and then carry the germs on their hands and spread to a susceptible person when proper hand hygiene is not performed before touching the susceptible person.

Source of Infection

We refer to the source of infection as the origin from which a host acquires the infection, either endogenous (i.e. originating from a person’s own commensal microbial flora) or exogenous (i.e. an individual, animal or object that in the external environment of the host).

Human reservoir

By far the most important source or reservoir of infection for humans is the man himself.

Why do viruses occur?

Viral infections. Viral infections occur due to infection with a virus. Millions of different viruses may exist, but researchers have only identified about 5,000 types to date. Viruses contain a small piece of genetic code, and a coat of protein and lipid (fat) molecules protects them.

What are the parts of the body that are at risk for fungal infections?

These line the intestines, mouth, vagina, and other parts of the body. Those with a higher risk of developing a fungal infection include people who: use antibiotics for a long time. have a weakened immune system, due, for example, to living with HIV or diabetes or receiving chemotherapy treatment.

What are the symptoms of a virus?

Others target a wider range of cells, leading to several symptoms. A flu virus can cause a runny nose, muscle aches, and an upset stomach. A person with a bacterial infection will often experience redness, heat, swelling, fever, and pain at the site of infection, as well as swollen lymph glands.

What are the causes of ectoparasites?

Finally, ectoparasites — including mites, ticks, lice, and fleas — can cause infection by attaching or burrowing into the skin. Ectoparasites can also include blood-sucking arthropods, such as mosquitoes, which transmit infection by consuming human blood.

What is an infection in 2020?

Types. Causes. Symptoms. Prevention. An infection occurs when a microorganism enters a person’s body and causes harm. The microorganism uses that person’s body to sustain itself, reproduce, and colonize. These infectious microscopic organisms are known as ...

What are the different types of pathogens?

Some pathogens are resistant to treatment. Infection can spread in a variety of ways. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are different types of pathogens. They vary in several ways, including: size. shape. function. genetic content. how they act on the body.

What is an example of protozoan infection?

Amebic dysentery is an example of a protozoan infection. Helminths are larger, multicellular organisms that tend to be visible to the naked eye when fully grown. This type of parasite includes flatworms and roundworms. These can also cause infection.

Who is most likely to be exposed to cholera?

People who are more likely to be exposed to cholera include healthcare personnel treating cholera patients, cholera response workers, and travelers in an area of active cholera transmission who cannot or do not always follow safe food and water precautions and personal hygiene measures.

What is the cause of cholera?

Epidemic cholera is caused by infection with toxigenic Vibrio cholerae serogroups O1 or O139. Only toxigenic strains of serogroups O1 and O139 have caused widespread epidemics and are reportable to the World Health Organization (WHO) as “cholera”.

Why are epidemics important in developing countries?

Large population migrations into urban centers in developing countries are straining existing water and sanitation infrastructure and increasing disease risk. Epidemics are a marker for poverty and lack of basic sanitation. Multiple routes exist for spreading cholera, meaning that successful prevention may require different measures in different areas.

How do you catch infectious diseases?

An easy way to catch most infectious diseases is by coming in contact with a person or an animal with the infection. Infectious diseases can be spread through direct contact such as:

How to prevent infection in the body?

Prevention. Follow these tips to decrease the risk of infection: Wash your hands. This is especially important before and after preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet. And try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands, as that's a common way germs enter the body. Get vaccinated.

What are the most common diseases caused by bacteria?

Infectious diseases can be caused by: Bacteria. These one-cell organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis. Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS. Fungi.

What are the symptoms of an infectious disease?

General signs and symptoms common to a number of infectious diseases include: Fever. Diarrhea. Fatigue. Muscle aches. Coughing.

What are the carriers of a virus?

Some germs rely on insect carriers — such as mosquitoes, fleas, lice or ticks — to move from host to host. These carriers are known as vectors. Mosquitoes can carry the malaria parasite or West Nile virus. Deer ticks may carry the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

What are the diseases caused by fungi?

Fungi. Many skin diseases, such as ringworm and athlete's foot, are caused by fungi. Other types of fungi can infect your lungs or nervous system. Parasites. Malaria is caused by a tiny parasite that is transmitted by a mosquito bite. Other parasites may be transmitted to humans from animal feces.

What are the conditions that affect the immune system?

You have certain types of cancer or other disorders that affect your immune system. In addition, certain other medical conditions may predispose you to infection, including implanted medical devices, malnutrition and extremes of age, among others.

Source of Infection

Source vs Reservoir of Infection

Types of Reservoirs

Human Reservoir

Animal Reservoir

Reservoir in Non-Living Things

References