introduction: they are in the air we breathe... in our food... on our skin
TRANSCRIPT
Microbes are small living plants or animals most of which are not visible to the naked eye.
Some microbes cause disease or infection.
Many microbes are “good” organisms that help keep balance in the environment and the body.
What microbes lack in size, they make up in
number.
On the average human, there are about 100 trillion microbes.
Good vs. Bad Microorganisms:
Microorganisms that cause disease (germs) are referred to as pathogens.
Yeah, I’m bad.
Most microbes are considered
beneficial or harmless.
87%
beneficial organisms
10%
opportunistsPathogens 3%
The role of good microorganisms
Marine & freshwater microbes form the basis of the food chain
in oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Humans and other animals depend on
bacteria in their intestines for digestion and
synthesis of vitamins including:
vitamin B (for metabolism)
vitamin K (for blood clotting)
Microorganisms have many commercial applications
They are used in synthesis of chemical products such as:
acetoneenzymes
alcohol
organic acids
many drugs
They are used in the food industry for producing:
vinegarpickles
cheese
green olives
alcoholic beverages
yogurt
bread
Microorganisms
Aerobic organisms:Anaerobic organisms:Most microorganisms prefer warm, dark environments
Main Classes of Pathogenic Organisms:
1)Bacteria • simple one-celled organisms• At home within “climate” of human
body• compose largest group of pathogens
2)Fungi: yeasts & molds • Plant-like organisms that live on
dead organic matter• Grow best in dark, damp places
3) Viruses - smallest microbes
• acellular particles (not a complete cell)
4) Protozoa
• one-celled animals often found in decayed materials & contaminated water5) Helminths
• parasitic worms
• caused by larval & egg infestations
Fetal Tetanus
(note severe muscle contractions)
Due to toxin production as a result of bacterial infection.
Leishmaniasis
(protozoan systemic disease)
Severe nodular, disfiguring lesions
transmitted by sand fly
Dracunculiasis (Fiery Dragon Worm)Found just under skin of human host.
Causes blisters at site of infestation.
Intestinal helminthes cause infestations in intestinal tract and
abdominal organs such as the liver and spleen.
Always in pairs.
Three Major viruses that are of concern to healthcare workers are:
1. Hepatitis B2. Hepatitis C3. AIDS
Hepatitis C
virus that is spread through blood, serum and other body secretions. It affects the liver.
Hepatitis B
virus that is spread through blood. It affects the liver and can lead to destruction of the liver and eventually death. There is a 3 series vaccination that can help protect for getting the virus.
AIDS
a virus that suppresses the immune system. People with AIDS cannot fight off infection that would not affect a healthy person. It is transmitted through blood and body secretions.
Protect Your Self!!!!!!
It is very important as a health care worker to take every precaution against contracted these viruses. Good hand washing, always wear gloves and other protective equipment, and use caution when drawing blood or giving injections, are just a few safety precautions
Summary•Microbes are microscopic organisms
•About 100 trillion microbes live on the average human
• “Bad” microbes are pathogens
•About 3% of microorganisms are pathogenic
•Main classes of pathogenic microbes include: bacteria, fungi, viruses, protoza, & helminths
In order for disease to occur and spread from one person to another, certain conditions must be met, first there must be
Causative agent: pathogen such as a bacteria or virus
Reservoir: place for the causative agent (virus) to live. Such as the human body
Fomites: objects that are contaminated with infectious material that contains pathogens (Examples: door knobs, bed pans, linens and specimen containers)
Portal of Endogenous
means the infection or the disease originates within the body (Examples: tumors, metabolic disorders, and congenital abnormalities
Exogenous
means the infection or disease originated from outside the body (Examples: radiation, chemical agents, trauma, and temperature extremes
Nosocomial:
Infection that is acquired by an individual in a health care facility such as a hospital or nursing facility. These infections are usually passed to the patient by the health care worker (Examples: staph infection, and pseudomonas)
Opportunistic
Type of infection that occurs when the body’s defenses are weak. These diseases usually do not occur in healthy people (Examples: kaposi’s sarcoma, rare type of cancer or different types of pneumonia in people who have AIDS
Different levels of aseptic control:
Antisepsis: Prevent or inhibit growth of pathogenic organisms but are not effective against spores and viruses.
Examples: Alcohol and betadine
Disinfection: process that destroys or kills pathogenic organisms. Not always effective against spores and viruses.
Example: Chemical disinfectants