Infection Control
Unit 5 Lesson 2
Students Notes
II. PRINCIPLES OF INFECTION
- BACTERIA
Minute, one-celled vegetable microorganisms found nearly everywhere.
Also known as germs or microbes.
:::Prominent in dust, dirt, refuse, and diseased tissues.
They can exist almost anywhere and can only be seen through a microscope.
B. TYPES
1. NonpathogenicThese are helpful or harmless bacteria which perform useful functions such as decomposing refuse and improving soil fertility. They help metabolize food, protect against microorganisms, and stimulateimmune response.
2. PathogenicHarmful and disease-producing when they invade plant or animaltissue.
******VERY IMPORTANT *********
Micobacteriumfortuitumfurunculosis: a germ found in tap water and normally harmless. A strong infestation of the germ, however, can cause infection. Such infections resulting from improperly sanitized foot spas have caused hospitalization and death.
C. CLASSIFICATIONS OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA
1. Cocci Round-shaped that appear singly or in the following groups.
a. Staphylococci Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like grapes; cause
abscesses, pustules, and boils.
b. Streptococci Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines resembling a string of beads; cause infections such as strep through and blood poisoning.
c. Diplococci Spherical bacteria that grow in pairs and cause diseases such as pneumonia.
2. Bacilli Short, rod-shaped bacteria. They are the most common and producediseases such as tetanus, typhoid, tuberculosis, and diphtheria.
3. Spirilla Spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria. They are subdivided intosubgroups: a.Treponemapapillida which causes syphilis (an STD) or
b.Borreliaburgdorferi which causes lime disease.
D. MOVEMENT OF BACTERIA
1.Cocci Rarely show motility (self-movement); transmitted in air, dust, or in the
substance in which they settle.
2.Bacilli and Spirilla Motile and use slender, hairlike extensions known as flagella or cilia
For locomotionAwhiplike motion of these hairs moves the bacteria inliquid.
E. GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION
The material needed to sustain the life of bacteria arethe outer cell wall and internal protoplasm. Bacteria manufacture their own food, giveoff waste products, and grow and reproduce.
1.Active Bacteria
Thrive in a warm, moist, dark, and dirty environment.
It onlytakes about 20–30 minutes for bacteria to reach full growth.
They thendivide into two new cells. The division is called mitosis and the newcells are called daughter cells.
2.Inactive or spore-forming Bacteria
Suchas anthrax and tetanus bacilli form spherical spores withtough outer coverings which are resistant to adverse conditions. Thisallows the dormant bacteria to withstand longperiods without food. Thespores can be blown about and can come to rest on various surfaces within the salon. When favorable conditions are restored, the spores become active or vegetative and begin to grow and reproduce once again.
**Therefore, even bacteria in the inactive stage can ultimately be a Threat to the spread of disease or infection in the salon.
F. BACTERIAL INFECTIONS
Infectionsoccur when body tissues are invadedby disease-causing orpathogenic bacteria. The presence of pus is a sign of infection.
Pus isa fluid product of inflammation and contains white blood cells and thedebris of dead cells, tissue elements and bacteria.
1. Staphylococci Most common human bacteria; can be picked up on door knobs,countertops, by handshaking, or unclean implements.
2. Local infection One that is confined to a single area such as a pimple, boil or infectedcut. Presence of pus is the sign of infection. Pus contains bacteria,waste matter, decayed tissue, body cells, and living and dead bloodcells. Staphylococciis the most common pus-forming bacteria.
3.General infection When pathogenic bacteria and their toxins are carried to all parts of thebody by way of the bloodstream, it becomes a general infection such asblood poisoning or syphilis.
4.Contagious or Communicable Diseases that are spread from one person to another by direct orindirect contact such as coughing,sneezing,unclean hands, uncleanimplements,open sores,common drinking cups,common towels,etc.
Common contagious diseases preventing cosmetologists fromworking are tuberculosis, colds, ringworm, scabies, head lice, and virusinfections.
G. VIRUSES
Submicroscopic structures capable of infecting almost all plants,animals, and bacteria; can pass through the pores of a porcelainfilter.
Cause common colds and other respiratory and gastrointestinalinfections.
They include measles, mumps, chicken pox, smallpox,rabies, yellow fever, polio, influenza, and human immunodeficiencyvirus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
1. Live by penetrating cells.
2. Resistant to antibiotics.
3. Prevented by vaccination. However, vaccinations are not available for all viruses.
H. BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Disease-causing bacteria or viruses that are carried through thebody in the blood or body fluids, such as hepatitis and HIV, are calledbloodborne pathogens.
1.Hepatitis Disease marked by inflammation of the liver and caused by a blood borne virus similar to HIV/AIDS in transmission. It is present in allbody fluids of an infected individual.
2.Hepatitis A Illness lasts about 3 weeks. Symptoms similar to flu; may causeyellowing of skin and eyes in adults. Spread through close contact; poorsanitation and personal hygiene, contaminated food, milk, water, andshellfish; infected food handlers; sexual contact.
A vaccine is available.
3.Hepatitis B (HBV) Can cause long-term hepatitis, cirrhosis, and/or liver cancer. There maybe no symptoms or flulike symptoms. It is primarily transmitted throughsexual contact or blood transfusions or when infected needles areshared.
A vaccine is available.
4.Hepatitis C (HCV) Progresses slowly; about one-third of those with the illness show nosymptoms. When symptoms exist they include fatigue and stomachpain. It is also transferable through parenteral contact and sexualactivity with infected partners.
No vaccine is available.
I .HIV/AIDS
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). AIDS breaks down the body’s immune system.
1. Passed through blood and body fluidsthrough:
a. unprotected sexual contact
b. sharing of needles with infected drugusers
c. accidents with needles in healthcare facilities
d. cuts and sores Could occur from sharp implements in the salon; however there are nodocumented reports of such transmission.
2. Methods that DO NOT transmit the disease:
a. hand holding
b. hugging
c. kissing
d. sharing food or household items Like telephones or toilet seats. There are no documented cases of thevirus being transmitted by food handlers, insects, or casual contact.
3. Can be infected for 11 years without A person may be infected and transmitting the disease without evensymptoms. Knowing they have it.
J. PARASITES
Vegetable or animal organisms that live in or on other living organisms.
Examples are head and body lice.
1.Vegetable parasites or fungi produce contagious diseases such as ringworm or favuswhich isa disease of the scalp. Include molds, mildews, and yeasts. Cancause lifting of the finger or toenails.
Tineabarbae (barber’s itch)can be caused from unclean clippers. Nail fungus can be spread byunclean implements or not preparing the nail plate before applyingenhancement products.
2.Animal parasites Responsible for contagious diseases.
A parasite carried by mosquito causes malaria.
Insects that carry diseases from one person to anotherare known as disease vectors.
The itch mite burrows under skin andcauses scabies.
Head lice is called pediculosiscapitis.
Scabies isanother contagious skin disease caused by the itch mite
REMINDER: Contagious diseases caused by parasites are nevertreated in a cosmetology school or salon. They should be referred to aphysician.
K. HOW PATHOGENS ENTER THE BODY
1. Break in the skin Such as a cut, pimple, or scratch.
2. Mouth By breathing or swallowing air, water, or food.
3. Nose Air.
4. Eyes or ears Dirt.
5. Unprotected sex
L. HOW BODY FIGHTS INFECTION
1. Through unbroken skin
2. Body secretions such as perspiration anddigestive juices
3. White blood cells
4. Antitoxins
REMEMBER: Infections can be prevented and controlled through
personal hygiene and public sanitation.
M. IMMUNITY
The ability of the body to fight off or resist infections and disease and todestroy bacteria that have entered the body.
1. Natural immunity An inborn ability to resist certain diseases. It is partly inherited andpartly developed through hygienic living and such factors as frequentexercise and a wholesome diet.
2. Acquired immunity Developed after the body has overcome a disease or through inoculation. The disease or inoculation causes the blood cells toproduce antibodies which are proteins that fight disease germs.
Acquired immunity may be only temporary or permanent.
3. Human disease carrierA person who is personally immune to a disease but can transmitgerms to others. Typhoid fever and diphtheria can be transmitted thisway.