Six factors essential for the development of the infectious process? 1.

Reservoir or Source of Infection A reservoir is any animate or inanimate substance in which an infectious agent multiplies or develops and upon which it depends as a species for its survival in nature. Sources of Infections 1. Cases - actually suffering from a disease and shed pathogens. 2. Carriers - infected and shedding pathogens without showing any clinical signs. These could be healthy, incubating, convalescent, chronic, transient or latent carriers. 2. Causative Agent Causative agents in infection are pathogens. Pathogens are micro-organisms that are capable of causing diseases or infections. If micro-organisms from a persons own body cause an infection, it is called anendogenous infection. If a micro-organism derived from sources outside a persons own body causes an infection, it is called anexogenous infection. 3. Modes of Escape As long as the disease-producing organism (causative agent) remains within the reservoir (diseased person or animal), it cannot infect another human or animal. The manner in which the organism leaves the reservoir is called the mode of escape. Disease-causing organisms can escape through various routes including the respiratory tract (sneezing, coughing, breathing, talking, and so forth.), gastrointestinal tract (fecal discharges from the bowels), and breaks in the skin (wound drainage, skin lesions, and so forth.). The destruction of the reservoir can also trigger the escape. For example, when meat containing parasitic worms is not properly cooked, the worms may escape from the reservoir (animal flesh) while the meat is being digested. 4. Susceptible Host A "susceptible host" is an individual not possessing sufficient immunity against a particular infectious agent to prevent contracting an infection when exposed to an infectious agent. A susceptible host must be exposed to an infectious agent/infected source in a manner that will enable the acquisition of an infection. The integrity of a susceptible host's internal defences, both innate (e.g., normal flora, intact skin, neutrophils,

macrophages) and acquired (antibodies, cell-mediated responses), may impact the host's ability to prevent disease after exposure to the infectious agent. Host defences may be altered by age, co-morbidities, immunization status, genetic factors, medications, and invasive medical procedures that predispose the susceptible host to infection. In the healthcare setting, the susceptible host may be a patient, HCW, visitor, etc. 5. Modes of Transmission Exposure occurs through either direct or indirect contact. Direct transmission occurs when a pathogen is transmitted directly from an infected individual to you. For example, you could become infected with HBV if you had an open wound that came into contact with a patients HBV infected blood. Indirect transmission occurs when an inanimate object serves as a temporary reservoir for the infectious agent. For example, you could become infected with HBV if you come into contact with equipment that has dried infectious blood on it. 6. Portals of Entry A portal of entry is the site through which micro-organisms enter the susceptible host and cause disease/infection. Infectious agents enter the body through various portals, including the mucous membranes, the skin, the respiratory and the gastrointestinal tracts. Pathogens often enter the body of the host through the same route they exited the reservoir; for example, airborne pathogens from one persons sneeze can enter through the nose of another person. The skin normally serves as a barrier to infection. However, any break in the skin invites the entrance of pathogens, such as tubes placed in body cavities (catheters) or punctures produced by invasive procedures (needles, IV).