1) Oxygen

2) Nutrients

3) Temperature - most grow at body temp

4) Moisture

5) pH

6) Light

• Most Microorganims grow at body temperature
• Cold temperatures often slow growth (ie: refrigeration)
• High temperatures usually kill most MOs (ie: boiling; fever)

Spore Forming Bacteria

Ex: Plantar Warts

*Spores protect certain bacteria and become resistant to the environment and can survive extreme conditions of light, drying, and many chemicals.  

A microorganism that MUST use the host's ability to make protein and energy.

Immunization is the most effective means for preventing viral infections.  

Athlethe's Foot

Tinea Pedis

1) Vaginal Infection in women

2) Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in men

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

*MRSA is an example of drug resistant bacteria which has aresistance to antibiotic therapy.

1. Pathogenic Organism
2. Reservoir
3. Portal of Exit
4. Vehicle of Transmission
5. Portal of Entry
6. Susceptible Host

What is a Reservoir?

A holding place.

Any living thing or inanimate object where a microorganism can multiply or survive before moving to a place where it can multiply

Ex: Shower floors, baby toys, Slagle forks

1. Direct Contact
2. Indirect Contact
3. Human Carrier
4. Airborne Transmission
5. Waterborne Transmission
6. Food borne Transmission
7. Vectors
8. Blood borne Transmission

The spreading of pathogens from one person to another through body contact.

• Touching, shaking hands, sexual contact, etc. 

1. Patient Bedding
2. Used Syringes
3. Used Drinking Cups

*Indirect contact occurs when an OBJECT harbors a pathogen and carries it from an infected person to a new victim.

What is a human carrier?

Living carriers of pathogens that spread disease on their feet, wings, or bodies onto food that people eat or bite a victim.

Ex: Rodentsmosquitoes, flies, and ticks

Implies that many or most harmful microorganisms have been moved.

Ex: skin, mouth, GI tract, and upper respiratory tract are considered clean

The item is free of all microorganisms and spores.

Ex: abdominal cavity, urinary bladder, and ovaries are considered sterile

Aka: Clean Technique

A practice that minimizes the number of microorganisms or prevents the transmission of microorganisms from one person to another. 

Used for treating patients with a suspected or KNOWN infectious disease.  Based on the disease's route of transmission to interrupt the transmission of the pathogens.

1. Airborne Precautions
2. Droplet Precautions
3. Contact Precautions 

1. Meningitis
2. Pneumona
3. Diphtheria
4. Strptococcal Pharyngitis
5. Influenza
6. Mumps
7. Rubella

• Private room or share with same infectious patient, with doors that may remain open.
• Wear a mask when working within 3 ft of the pt and make pt wear mask outside of room

AKA "Sterile Technique"

No organisms are carried to the pt.  Microorganisms are destroyed from surfaces before they can enter the body.

A minimum of 10-15 secs

10 sec to 2 min

To establish a barrier between microorganisms from the pt to the medic and vice versa.

Required to maintain a sterile field during hands on procedures.

1. Invasive procedures - surgery, urinary cath
2. When sterility must be maintained - handling sterile instruments
3. Changing sterile dressings
4. Irrigating wounds

1. Incubation Period
2. Prodomal Phase
3. Full Stage of Illness
4. Convalescence Stage