1. Understand the causes of Infection 1. 1 Identify the differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites More accurately, parasites are actual animals, along with mites, and mites are so small you have some thousands living in your eyebrows. Bacteria are one cell things with a cell wall. Virae (viruses) are code only–they are the core requirement that bacteria have, but without all the other protective layers like cell wall and energy production.
Instead, they latch onto living things, and the code (DNA) then hijack the systems of that living thing to produce more copies of the virus. Bacteria merely need food (from anywhere) to reproduce. Fungi are a separate class of living being, not animal, not plant.
They include everything from the stuff on your scalp giving you dandruff to the shiitake mushrooms on your steak. 1. 2 Identify common illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites pneumonia is a common bacterial or viral illness staph infection – caused by staphylcoccus bacteria ringworm is caused by a fungus parasitic illness: tapeworm, trichinosis the common cold is a viral illness, so is Flu 1.
3 Describe what is meant by ‘infection’ and ‘colonisation’ 1) Infection is a noun. *The process of infecting or the state of being infected *Invasion by and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in a bodily part or tissue, which may produce subsequent tissue injury and progress to overt disease through a variety of cellular or toxic mechanisms. 2)Colonization is a noun.
*The act or process of establishing a colony or colonies. *The spreading of a species into a new habitat. For example, flying insects and birds are often the first animal species to initiate colonization of barren islands newly formed by vulcanism or falling water levels. The first plant species to colonize such islands are often transported there as airborne seeds or through the droppings of birds. 1. 4 Explain what is meant by ‘systemic infection’ and ‘localised infection’ Systemic means “affecting the entire body,” rather than a single organ or body part.
For example, systemic disorders such as high blood pressure or systemic diseases such as influenza affect the entire body. An infection that is in the bloodstream is called a systemic infection. An infection that affects only one body part or organ is called a localized infection. 1. 5 Identify poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection Masks address droplet contamination. Gowns keep body fluids off of clothes. Gloves keep person to person germ transfer from happening. Also, washing hands can’t be stressed enough.
That is the number one cause of germ transfer. Covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. 2. Understand the transmission of infection 2. 1 Explain the conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms This varies depending on the type of bacteria. For example, warm blooded animal pathogenic bacteria require a temperature of around 98oF, a correct entry site, and for the host to be susceptible to that type of bacteria. Thermo-phyllic bacteria require extremely hot temperature to grow.
Viruses require a healthy host cell in order to get its DNA/RNA replicated. Parasites require the host body to be healthy enough to sustain itself and the parasite. 2. 2 Explain the ways an infective agent might enter the body It can be breathed in (think tuberculosis), it can enter through mucous membranes (think using a sick person’s utensils or kissing someone sick), it can enter through blood (think a cut or needle stick). 2. 3 Identify common sources of infection common sources of infection micro organisms.
– is small that it is invisible to the naked eye bacteria – single celled microscopic organisms viruses – extremely small/one hundredth the size of a bacterium fungi – very simple plants but they do not have the green pigment we see in plants in our garden protozoa -one of the first organisms on earth parasites – parasitic worms can infest humans and animals 2. 4 Explain how infective agents can be transmitted to a person.
You can acquire diseases in many ways: intradermal – by piercing the skin and letting germs enter through respiratory tract – by inhaling it you can absorb some things through the skin, such as chemicals – dmso mixed with other things makes it easier to absorb. you can acquire diseases through having sex with infected person you can be injected deep into muscle, through infected needles or other sharp objects you can be infected through contaminated IVs you can ingest (eat) something that has infectious germs you can get urinary tract infections by wiping the wrong way with soiled toilet tissue.
You can get vaginal infections by wiping the wrong way with soiled toilet tissue 2. 5 Identify the key factors that will make it more likely that infection will occur Some of the factors that make it more likely that an infection will occur include proximity to others (either infected or uninfected people), dirty and/or contaminated areas, equipment or laundry, and contact with body fluids. Also if a person already is sick or immune-compromised, very young or very old, they are more likely to get an infection.