Causes and Spread of Infection Essay Example for Free

Causes and Spread of Infection Essay1. Understand the causes of infection.1.1 Identify the differences between bacterium, viruses, fungus kingdom and parasites. Bacteria a single cell micro-organism that gets its nutrition from its surroundings and give notice only be seen under a microscope. Viruses are disease producing agents far littler than bacteria. They are enclosed in a protein coating which makes them more difficult to destroy. Fungi are included in the plant kingdom but are quite different from green plants. The basic unit of a fungus is a hypha which is a hollow tube. The hyphal threads spread out over and into the food somatic making a visible mesh or mycelium. Some fungi mass together to create toadstools. They spread by releasing spores into the environment. Parasites an organism that feeds and is pendent of its host. 1.2 Identify common illnesses and infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Bacteria Lyme disease, Tuberculosis, tetanus , MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) Viruses polio, Norovirus, common cold, flu, chicken poxFungi tinea pinus, athletes foot, oral thushParacites- worms, ticks, lice, mites1.3 Describe what is meant by infection and colonisation. Infection is a invasion of a host organisms bodily tissues by a disease causing organism. Colonisation occurs when any 1 or more species populate a specific area. 1.4 Explain what is meant by systemic infection and localised infection. Systemic infection affects a issue forth of organs or tissues or affects the whole body e.g. type 2 diabetes, aids and hyper tension. Localised infection confined to one organ system or area in the body e.g. absess, boil, sprain. 1.5 Identify poor practices that may lead to the spread of infection. Not wearing personal protective equipment such as disposable gloves, disposable aprons, washing hands and disposing of clinical waste in the correct way.2. Understand the transmission of infection.2.1 Explai n the conditions needed for the growth of micro-organisms.* Psychrophiles grow below temperatures of 20c* Thermophiles grow above temperatures of 45c* Oxygen, pathogens vary in their oxygen requirements* Food* Most foods naturally contain suffucant moisture to provide bacteria with the water they need in order to grow2.2 Explain the ways an infective agent might enter the body.* food/drink* natural orifices* aspiration* ingestion* inoculation2.3 Identify common sources of infection.Droplets produced by coughing or sneezing, in air and dust, in water/food, carried by animals and insects.2.4 Explain how infective agents can be transmitted to a person.* food/drink* air/dust* touching contaminated items* cross contamination* direct (person to person)* animals and insects2.5 Identify the key factors that leave alone make it more likely that infection will occur.* Open wounds/sores* Vulnerability/low immunity (children, babies, elderly)* People already suffering from health problems* St ress (suppression of repellent system)* Poor practice and infection control