The Chain of Infection Region of Peel（链感染地区的皮）.pdf

PEEL PUBLIC HEALTH INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL RESOURCE GUIDE SECTION 2-1 ROUTINE PRACTICES AND ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS THE CHAIN OF INFECTION What is an infection? An infection occurs when a disease-causing organism enters the body and starts to multiply, often causing signs and symptoms of infection. Such signs and symptoms can include redness, swelling, heat, pain, coughing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, diarrhea, etc. Or there may be absence of symptoms. In the case of the elderly whose immune system is compromised illness may result and symptoms may be less defined. e.g. fever may be absent and symptoms such as unsteady gait or changes in cognitive function may manifest. A health care-associated infection (previously known as nosocomial infection) is an infection that is acquired during the resident’s stay in the facility, and which was not present or incubating at the time of admission. Chain of Transmission In order for infections to occur, a series of events must happen. This is called the chain of transmission. There are six links in the chain of transmission and each link must connect for an infection to occur. Our goal is to break the chain and stop the infection from occurring. To do this, it is essential to understand each link and how they connect. Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee. Routine Practices and Additional Precautions in All Health Care Settings Rev ed. Public Health Ontario 2012. Figure 1, The Chain of Transmission Peel Public Health - Take Control Guide 2013 PEEL PUBLIC HEALTH INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL RESOURCE GUIDE SECTION 2-1 ROUTINE PRACTICES AND ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS 1. Infectious Agent This can be a bacteria, virus, parasites or prions. Any organism is capable of causing infection if all the links/c