1.
Airborne infections
Airborne infections
2.
Faecal oral infections
Faecal oral infections
3.
Water borne infections
Water borne infections
1. Airborne infections
An airborne infection is any infection
that is caused by pathogens and transmitted through the air. Such infections
include many that are of considerable importance to human health. Pathogens
that cause airborne infections may be viruses, bacteria, or fungi, and they may
be spread through coughing, sneezing, raising of dust, spraying of liquids, or
similar activities likely to generate aerosol particles or droplets.
that is caused by pathogens and transmitted through the air. Such infections
include many that are of considerable importance to human health. Pathogens
that cause airborne infections may be viruses, bacteria, or fungi, and they may
be spread through coughing, sneezing, raising of dust, spraying of liquids, or
similar activities likely to generate aerosol particles or droplets.
Airborne
pathogens often cause inflammation in the nose, throat, sinuses and the lungs. This
is caused by the inhalation of these pathogens that affect a person’s
respiratory system or even the rest of the body. Many common airborne infections include anthrax, chickenpox, influenza, measles, smallpox and tuberculosis.
pathogens often cause inflammation in the nose, throat, sinuses and the lungs. This
is caused by the inhalation of these pathogens that affect a person’s
respiratory system or even the rest of the body. Many common airborne infections include anthrax, chickenpox, influenza, measles, smallpox and tuberculosis.
Causes of airborne infection
An
airborne infection can be caused by exposure to a source: an infected patient
or animal, by being transferred from the infected person or animal’s mouth,
nose, cut, or needle puncture. People receive the disease through a portal of
entry: mouth, nose, cut, or needle puncture.
airborne infection can be caused by exposure to a source: an infected patient
or animal, by being transferred from the infected person or animal’s mouth,
nose, cut, or needle puncture. People receive the disease through a portal of
entry: mouth, nose, cut, or needle puncture.
Mode of transmission of airborne
infections
infections
Airborne transmission of infections depends on
several physical variables endemic to the infectious particle. Environmental
factors influence the efficacy of airborne infection transmission. The most
evident environmental conditions are temperature and relative humidity. The conditions
that favour transmission of airborne infections are as stated below
several physical variables endemic to the infectious particle. Environmental
factors influence the efficacy of airborne infection transmission. The most
evident environmental conditions are temperature and relative humidity. The conditions
that favour transmission of airborne infections are as stated below
- Climate
and living area: Rainfall, duration of daily
sunshine hours, latitude, and altitude are characteristic agents to take
in account when assessing the possibility of spread of any airborne
infection. These are the main factors affecting the spread, duration and
infectiousness of droplets containing infectious particles.
- Socioeconomics
and living conditions: They have a minor role in
airborne diseases transmission, but they also have to be taken in
consideration. Living condition is an important aspect. In cities, the
spread of diseases is faster than in rural areas and outskirts. Normally,
cities enclose quarters of buildings, in which the transmission of the
viral and bacterial diseases among the neighborhoods is uncomplicated.
Nearness to large sources of water as rivers and lakes can be a cause of
some outbreaks of airborne diseases. Poor sewage systems are usually found
in poor countries, especially in the rural areas, and can determine the
proliferation of infectious bacteria, that once infecting animal or humans
can be transmitted throughout the air. Working conditions, can also settle
infectious airborne diseases.
The role of the family in the prevention of
airborne infections
airborne infections
i.
Families should ensure that
houses are located in a way as to ensure that they breathe in fresh air.
Families should ensure that
houses are located in a way as to ensure that they breathe in fresh air.
ii.
Family members should be
encouraged to use a handkerchief while sneezing or coughing.
Family members should be
encouraged to use a handkerchief while sneezing or coughing.
iii.
Family members should be reminded
of the importance of personal hygiene.
Family members should be reminded
of the importance of personal hygiene.
The role of the community in the prevention of
airborne infections
airborne infections
i.
It is necessary to separate the
diseased person from others in the community. Use of garments of a diseased
person by another person must be avoided. Washing clothes, utensils and other
personal belongings used by a diseased person should be washed separately,
preferably with hot water.
It is necessary to separate the
diseased person from others in the community. Use of garments of a diseased
person by another person must be avoided. Washing clothes, utensils and other
personal belongings used by a diseased person should be washed separately,
preferably with hot water.
ii.
Oral mask is necessary to prevent
infection.
Oral mask is necessary to prevent
infection.
iii.
Spitting here and there must be
prevented.
Spitting here and there must be
prevented.
iv.
Disinfection in public area
especially in Hospital, Nursing Home is required.
Disinfection in public area
especially in Hospital, Nursing Home is required.
The role of government in the prevention of
airborne infections
airborne infections
The government should ensure that effective vaccination
is carried out regularly to prevent dreaded airborne diseases, such as,
diphtheria, meningitis, tuberculosis and hepatitis.
is carried out regularly to prevent dreaded airborne diseases, such as,
diphtheria, meningitis, tuberculosis and hepatitis.
2. Faecal oral infections
The faecal–oral infections are infections which
are transmitted through faeces to mouth route of transmission of a
disease. This occurs when pathogens in faecal particles passes from one host are introduced into the oral cavity of another host. One main cause of faecal–oral infection
transmission is lack of adequate sanitation and, often connected to that problem, water pollution with faecal material. Faecal–oral transmission
occurs when bacteria or
viruses
found in the stool of a person are swallowed by another person.
are transmitted through faeces to mouth route of transmission of a
disease. This occurs when pathogens in faecal particles passes from one host are introduced into the oral cavity of another host. One main cause of faecal–oral infection
transmission is lack of adequate sanitation and, often connected to that problem, water pollution with faecal material. Faecal–oral transmission
occurs when bacteria or
viruses
found in the stool of a person are swallowed by another person.
In
the absence of visible stool contamination, these infections often travel
through infected food or beverages. Many common infections can spread by faecal–oral
transmission in at least some cases, including:
hand-foot-mouth disease, E. coli
infection, hepatitis
A virus, pinworms, polio, tapeworms, etc.
the absence of visible stool contamination, these infections often travel
through infected food or beverages. Many common infections can spread by faecal–oral
transmission in at least some cases, including:
hand-foot-mouth disease, E. coli
infection, hepatitis
A virus, pinworms, polio, tapeworms, etc.
Mode of transmission of faecal oral infections
The process of transmission may be simple or involve multiple steps. Some
examples of routes of faecal–oral transmission include:
examples of routes of faecal–oral transmission include:
- water that has come in contact with faeces
(for example due to groundwater pollution from pit latrines) and is then not treated properly before drinking. - by
shaking someone’s hand that has been contaminated by stool, changing a
child’s diapers, working in the garden or dealing with livestock or house
pets. - food
that has been prepared in the presence of faecal matter. - disease
vectors, like houseflies, spreading contamination from inadequate faecal
disposal such as open defecation. - poor
or absent hand washing after using the toilet or handling faeces (such as changing diapers).
- poor
or absent cleaning of anything that has been in contact with faeces;
The role of the family in controlling faecal-oral infection
·
Clean surfaces and toys often. Wash, sanitize, and rinse toys after
children have played with them, especially if they were placed in the mouth.
Wash and sanitize counter tops, tables, and chairs before preparing or eating food.
Keep bathroom and toilet areas cleaned.
Clean surfaces and toys often. Wash, sanitize, and rinse toys after
children have played with them, especially if they were placed in the mouth.
Wash and sanitize counter tops, tables, and chairs before preparing or eating food.
Keep bathroom and toilet areas cleaned.
·
Avoid food that might be contaminated by washing all raw fruits and
vegetables before peeling and eating. Wash all food that will be eaten raw with
water from a safe source.
Avoid food that might be contaminated by washing all raw fruits and
vegetables before peeling and eating. Wash all food that will be eaten raw with
water from a safe source.
The role of the community in controlling faecal-oral infection
·
People with diarrhoea should not swim. Protect others by not swimming in
pools or other recreational water sources if experiencing diarrhoea.
People with diarrhoea should not swim. Protect others by not swimming in
pools or other recreational water sources if experiencing diarrhoea.
·
Community leaders should ensure that people do not defecate in water
bodies.
Community leaders should ensure that people do not defecate in water
bodies.
·
Toilet should not be sited close to wells and other source of water.
Toilet should not be sited close to wells and other source of water.
The role of government in controlling faecal-oral infection
·
Government should carry out awareness campaign to educate the public on
the dangers of faecal-oral infections.
Government should carry out awareness campaign to educate the public on
the dangers of faecal-oral infections.
·
The government should make enforce laws in the siting toilet and soak
away pits to ensure that underground water is protected from faecal matter.
The government should make enforce laws in the siting toilet and soak
away pits to ensure that underground water is protected from faecal matter.
·
Public water supply must be adequately chlorinated.
Public water supply must be adequately chlorinated.
3.
Water borne infections
Water borne infections
Waterborne infections are infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms
that most commonly are transmitted in contaminated fresh water. Infection
commonly results during bathing, washing, drinking, in the preparation of food,
or the consumption of infected food.
that most commonly are transmitted in contaminated fresh water. Infection
commonly results during bathing, washing, drinking, in the preparation of food,
or the consumption of infected food.
These infections are caused by drinking water contaminated by animal or human faeces,
which contain pathogenic microorganisms. Some examples of water borne
infections include polio, malaria, cholera, scabies, typhoid, hepatitis, diarrhoea,
etc.
Mode of transmission of water-borne infections
The spread of contaminated water is likely to happen where private and
public drinking systems get their water such as surface waters – creeks,
rivers, lakes, and rain. These sources of water may be contaminated by infected
animals or people as a result of runoff from, landfills, sewer pipes, septic fields,
industrial or residential developments and this may spread contamination.
public drinking systems get their water such as surface waters – creeks,
rivers, lakes, and rain. These sources of water may be contaminated by infected
animals or people as a result of runoff from, landfills, sewer pipes, septic fields,
industrial or residential developments and this may spread contamination.
Generally, food that is contaminated is the one most common way people
become infected. The germs in faeces may cause the diseases by even slight
contact and transfer. The contamination might happen because of floodwaters,
septic fields, water runoff from landfills, and sewer pipes.
become infected. The germs in faeces may cause the diseases by even slight
contact and transfer. The contamination might happen because of floodwaters,
septic fields, water runoff from landfills, and sewer pipes.
The role of the family in
the control of water borne infections
the control of water borne infections
·Family
members should improve their hygienic behaviour in terms of sanitation,
drinking water, bathing facilities and washing facilities
members should improve their hygienic behaviour in terms of sanitation,
drinking water, bathing facilities and washing facilities
·Water
used for domestic purposes should be clean at all time to reduce the spread of
water-borne infections.
used for domestic purposes should be clean at all time to reduce the spread of
water-borne infections.
·Faeces
should be disposed sanitarily
should be disposed sanitarily
·Water
should be regularly disinfected to kill any pathogens that might be present in
the water supply.
should be regularly disinfected to kill any pathogens that might be present in
the water supply.
The role
of the community in controlling water borne infections
of the community in controlling water borne infections
- Community members should protect wetlands to reduce
damage to water quality from severe storms - There should be a communal effort to evaluating and
monitoring exposures and health risks of chemical contaminants likely to
be increasingly released and mobilized due to climate change
- There should be an improved understanding of
harmful algal blooms including their initiation, development, and
termination, as well as the exact nature of the toxins associated with
them.
The role of government in controlling water borne
infections
infections
·
Government should ensure
that the public has access to potable water always at an affordable means.
Government should ensure
that the public has access to potable water always at an affordable means.
·
Water meant for
distribution to the public must be adequately purified and chlorinated to kill
all disease pathogens.
Water meant for
distribution to the public must be adequately purified and chlorinated to kill
all disease pathogens.
References
American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS) (2011). Bloodborne and airborne pathogens. New
York: Jones & Barlett Publishers.
Surgeons (AAOS) (2011). Bloodborne and airborne pathogens. New
York: Jones & Barlett Publishers.
Cellini, E. A. (1998). Evidence for an oral–faecal transmission of Helicobacterpylori infection in an experimental murine model. APMIS 107(1–6): 477–484.
Laura, E. Z. & Nico, S.
(2006). Prevent
and control infection: application made easy.
London: Juta and Company Ltd.
(2006). Prevent
and control infection: application made easy.
London: Juta and Company Ltd.
Wagner,
E. G. & Lanoix, L. N. (2008). Excreta disposal for rural and small communities.
Geneva, Switzerland: WHO.
E. G. & Lanoix, L. N. (2008). Excreta disposal for rural and small communities.
Geneva, Switzerland: WHO.
Wang, L. & Zhuang, H. (2014).
Hepatitis E: an overview and recent advances in vaccine research. World J Gastroenterol. 10 (15): 2157–62.
Hepatitis E: an overview and recent advances in vaccine research. World J Gastroenterol. 10 (15): 2157–62.
