The learner can: 1. Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites? Bacteria : Bacteria are one cell structures that multiply rapidly and can become a colony of 2 million within 2 hours. Viruses : Visible can only be seen with an electron microscope they can float in the air, sit on a door handle or remain non-living. They become active when they are allowed access to a living cell. Fungi : Not all fungi can cause us problems, Fungi are plant-like structures that survive on dead organic materials.
Parasites: Human parasites include various protozoa and worms which may infect humans, causing parasitic diseases. 2. Identify common illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites Bacteria – Upper respiratory tract infections,Otitis media,Lower respiratory tract infections,Tuberculosis (TB),Salmonella,Escherichia coli ,Helicobacter pylori. Viruses – Common cold,Hepatitis B,Influenza,HIV/AIDS,Measles,Chicken Pox,Gastroenteritis,Rubella (German Measles),Viral meningitis,Viral Pneumonia and Mumps Fungi – Athletes Foot,Ring worm,Thrush .
Parasites – Tapeworm,Malaria,Bed bugs,Thread worms,Scabies 3. Describe what is meant by “infection” and “colonisation”? Infection is a invasion of a host organism’s bodily tissues by disease-causing organisms, their then multiplication and the reaction of host tissues to these organisms and the toxins they produce. The presence of bacteria on a body surface like on the skin, mouth, intestines or airway without causing disease in the person. 4. Explain what is meant by “systemic infection” and “localised infection”?
Systemic infection affects the whole body and causes systemic symptoms, like muscle pains, fever and nausea but with Localised infection, it limited to one or few body parts and presents with localised symptoms, like redness, swelling, pain or localised discharge. 5. Identify poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection? The infection can be spread by lots of diffrent way for examply having poor personal hygiene or food hygiene , not removing or wearing the right ppe also having poor hand washing techniques, poor waste disposal methords and not managing the risk of infection in the workplace.
Outcome 2 Understand the transmission of infection The learner can: 1. Explain the conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms? They need food the bacteria feeds off humans, plants, animals,soil and lots more anywhere that protein is found they also need warmth the ideal temperature for reproduction is 37 degrees celsius wich is normal body temperature but they can multiply at any temperatures between 5 and 63 degrees celsius. Bacteria also love moist conditions like human body secretions, inside our bodies and food and last of all bacteria needs time in the right conditions a bactreia can become a colony of 2 million in 2 hours.
2. Explain the ways an infective agent might enter the body? The infection can enter the body by Skin to skin , Droplets during coughing and sneezing,Stool-to-mouth and Sexually transmitted then you can get Blood to blood contact by Contaminated needles,Blood transfusions,Mosquito’s (Malaria) ,Food borne infections (Salmonella) and Water borne infections (Legionella). 3. Identify common sources of infection? How the micro – organisms can be passed on indirectly in a healthcare setting is by Indirect contact contamination ,Clothes,Soiled bed linen,Personal care products,Personal care equipment,Utensils,Instruments and Soiled dressings.
5. Explain how infective agents can be transmitted to a person? It can be transmitted by Droplet contact – this would be by coughing or sneezing,Physical contact – by touching an infected person including can include sexual contact ,Indirect physical contact – usually touching soil contamination or a contaminated surface, Airborne transmission – These pathogens ride on either dust particles or small respiratory droplets and can stay suspended in air and are capable of travelling distances on air currents. Also the pathogens can remain in the air for long periods and faecal-Oral contamination – Usually from contaminated food or water.
6. Identify the key factors that will make it more likely that infection will occur? People susceptible to infection are those already infected or infectious with a pathogen. Other clients and staff are also susceptible purely because of their vulnerability. The fact that you are working in a setting that provides care for vulnerable people makes everyone a potential host, either to become infected themselves or to become infectious and People who are elderly also People who have a lowered immune system due to chemotherapy and people with a learning disability.