Introduction to infection control

Infection control refers to practices that are designed to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings. Infections are caused by different types of tiny and simple pathogenic organisms, meaning organisms that cause diseases.

As a nursing assistant, it’s important to recognize the common pathogens and how to prevent infection in yourself and your clients. Now let’s look at the pathogens that can cause infections.

First, we have viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, hepatitis B, and C viruses, and coronavirus. These are the most simple infectious pathogens and are usually made of their genetic material, proteins, and sometimes an envelope.

Next, we have bacteria, which are more complex. Some examples of these pathogens include Streptococcus pyogenes, which can cause strep throat; Escherichia coli, which is a common cause of urinary tract infections; and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is a pathogen that causes tuberculosis.

Next, we have fungi, which are plant-like organisms. A common one is Candida albicans, which is a normal part of the human flora. However, in certain conditions, it can cause yeast infections in the vagina, mouth, or skin.

Finally, we have parasites, which can be subdivided into helminths, such as pinworm, which causes intestinal pinworm infection; protozoa, like Toxoplasma gondii, which causes toxoplasmosis that can affect the brain; and insects, such as Sarcoptes scabiei, which is a pathogen that causes scabies on the skin.

In order to cause diseases, pathogens first must invade a person’s body, which is a process known as infection. To do this, they also have to evade a person’s immune system, which is subdivided into non-specific and specific immunity.

Non-specific immunity includes physical barriers, such as intact skin and mucous membranes, and immune cells that can destroy pathogens, such as white blood cells.

On the other hand, specific immunity refers to the defense mechanisms that are acquired once a person is exposed to a specific pathogen or vaccine. These include lymphocytes, which can recognize specific pathogens and destroy them.

Some lymphocytes will produce antibodies, which are proteins that only attach to the specific pathogen the lymphocyte recognizes. This marks the pathogen as a target for white blood cells to attack.

Now, once a person is infected, non-specific and specific symptoms of infection will arise. Non-specific signs and symptoms include headache, fatigue, chills, fever, and decreased appetite.

On the other hand, specific signs and symptoms depend on the type of a pathogen and the organ system that is affected.

For example, gastrointestinal infections are associated with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; while respiratory infections are characterized by rhinorrhea, or runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.

Urogenital infections are usually associated with burning sensation when urinating and genital discharge; while general infections of the skin are associated with skin rashes.

On the other hand, localized infections of the skin, like when a cut or wound gets infected, are typically characterized by pain, swelling, redness, and discharge from an infected area.

In severe cases, a person can have increased heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure variations, difficulty breathing, confusion, and disorientation. It’s important to note that if you notice any of these signs you should immediately inform the nurse!

Now, in order to spread from person to person, a pathogen requires 6 important elements that are mutually connected and referred to as the chain of infection.