INFECTION PREVENTION

AND CONTROL
Asepsis
 Microorganisms

Microorganisms live all around us.

Bacteria
– most common infection-causing
microorganisms.
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Common Pathogen and Some Infections or Diseases They Produce

ORGANISMS MAJOR RESERVOIR(S) MAJOR INFECTIONS/DISEASES

Bacteria
Escherichia coli Colon Gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection
Staphylococcus aureus Skin, hair, anterior nares, mouth Wound infection, pneumonia, food poisoning cellulitis

Streptococcus (beta- Oropharynx, skin, perianal area “strep throat,” rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, impetigo,
hemolytic group A) wound infection
organisms
Streptococcus (beta- Adult genitalia Urinary tract infection, wound infection, postpartum
hemolytic group B) sepsis, neonatal sepsis
organisms
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Droplet nuclei from lungs, larynx Tuberculosis

Neisseria gonorrhea genitourinary tract, rectum, mouth Gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, infectious
arthritis, conjunctivitis
Staphylococcus epidermidis Skin Wound infection, bacteremia
Viruses
– consist of nucleic acid that must enter
the living cells in order to reproduce
– smallest of all microorganisms
Common Pathogen and Some Infections or Diseases They Produce

ORGANISMS MAJOR RESERVOIR(S) MAJOR INFECTIONS/DISEASES

Viruses
Hepatitis A virus Feces Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B virus Blood and certain body fluid, Hepatitis B
sexual contact

Hepatitis C virus Blood, certain body fluids, Hepatitis C

sexual contact

Herpes simplex virus Lesions of mouth or skin, Cold sores, aseptic meningitis, sexually
(type 1) saliva, genitalia transmitted disease,

Human Blood, semen, vaginal Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

immunodeficiency virus secretions via sexual contact
(HIV)
Fungi
– Include yeasts and molds
– Candida Albicans is a yeast considered to
be normal flora in the human vagina
Common Pathogen and Some Infections or Diseases They Produce

ORGANISMS MAJOR RESERVOIR(S) MAJOR INFECTIONS/DISEASES

Fungi

Aspergillus organisms Soil, dust, mouth, skin, pneumonia, sepsis

colon, genital tract

Candida albicans Mouth, skin, colon, Candidiasis, pneumonia, sepsis

genital tract
Parasites
– Live on other living organisms
– Include protozoa such as the one that
causes malaria, helminths(worms), and
arthropods(mites, fleas, ticks)
Common Pathogen and Some Infections or Diseases They Produce

ORGANISMS MAJOR MAJOR INFECTIONS/DISEASES

RESERVOIR(S)

Protozoa

Plasmodium Blood Malaria

falciparum
 Nature of Infection

INFECTION
– entry and multiplication of an organism in a host
– Can be infectious or communicable
Infectious Agent
– the microorganism
– pathogens
Infectious Disease
• when newly introduced or resident
microorganisms succeed in invading a part of the
body where the host’s defense mechanisms are
ineffective and the pathogen causes tissue
damage
• signs and symptoms of the infection are unique
Pathogenicity
• ability of microorganism to produce disease

Pathogen
• microorganism that causes disease.

Virulence
– Severity or harmfulness of a disease
– ability of microorganism to infect or damage a host
– Pathogenic
• Infectious agent
• Causes disease in healthy person

– Non-pathogenic
• Resident flora
• Colonization
• Can cause disease if transmitted to other areas
Resident flora
– permanent resident microorganism in the
body, where they survive and multiply
without causing illness.
– serve as a major part of the body’s
protection
Colonization
▪ If a microorganism is present or invades a host,
grows and/or multiplies but does not cause
infection