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Infection control
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Infection:

 An invasion of pathogens or microorganisms into the body that are

capable of producing disease.

 The invasion and reproduction of microorganisms in a body tissue

that can result in a local or systemic clinical response such as

cellulitis, fever etc.

Chain of infection

The presence of a pathogen does not mean that an infection will

begin. Development of an infection occurs in a cyclical process that

depends on the following six elements:

1. An infectious agent or pathogen

2. A reservoir or source for pathogen growth (infected person)

3. A portal of exit from the reservoir (Orifices as nose, mucous

membranes as mouth, and skin as wound)

4. A mode of transmission (hands, instruments, clothing, coughing,

sneezing, dust).

5. A portal of entry to the host

6. A susceptible host (low resistance to infection)

Infection Control:

 Includes all of the practices used to prevent the spread of

microorganisms that could cause disease in a person.

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