Christian D.

Parker
Mr. Kevin Watson
7 June 2016
AP Assignment Definition of Terms

DEFINE THE FOLLOWING TERMS BY... CONTRACTION, TRANSMISSION AND

PREVENTION:
(A) contraction action of acquiring a disease
(B) transmission the passing of a communicable disease from an infected
host individual or group to a particular individual or group
(C) prevention the act of preventing a person or a group of people from
obtaining a disease

1) Acinetobacter
a) Acinetobacter outbreaks usually occur in ICUs and healthcare places that
house the very ill. Those with weakened immune systems, chronic lung
disease, or diabetes may be more prone to Acinetobacter infections. Also,
hospitalized patients with invasive devices are at greater risk of infection.
b) Acinetobacter can be spread to vulnerable people via personal contact or
by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces.
c) It can be prevented by following infection control procedures such as basic hygiene and
environmental cleaning.

2) Burkholderia cepacia
a) Those with certain health problems such as weakened immune systems
or chronic lung disease (mainly cystic fibrosis) typically are more prone
to contract B. cepacia; and it is known as a cause of infections in
hospitalized patients.
b) It can be transmitted from contaminated medicines and devices,
contaminated mouthwash (2005, in many states), over-the-counter nasal
spray was once contaminated with it, and its linked to nosocomial
infections among ICU patients and associated with exposure to sublingual
(under-tongue) probes. It can be spread to people via person-to-person
contact, contact with contaminated surfaces, and/or exposure to B.
cepacia in an environment.
c) It can be prevented via antibiotics; also careful attention to infection control
procedures such as hand hygiene can help in prevention.

3) Clostridium difficile
a) C. difficile is found in feces; thus, people get infected when exposed to
surfaces contaminated with feces, followed by touching their mouths.
b) Healthcare workers spread it to patients when their hands are
contaminated. The elderly along with people who have other illnesses, or
those taking antibiotics are prone to infection.

c) Frequent hand hygiene and taking antibiotics until the bottle is empty are
the most effective means of prevention.
4) Clostridium sordellii
a) Women are most prone to contracting it following the end of pregnancy.
b) It is not known how it is transmitted from persons or environment to
persons. Other similar Clostridium species are spread from person to
person and sometimes contaminated surfaces are involved in this
transmission.
c) The CDC is supporting the FDA in identifying transmission, evaluating
current data, and continuing to look into abortions in an attempt to
decrease infection risks associated with abortions.

5) Enterobacteriaceae (carbapenem-resistance)
(a) One can contract it via contaminated body fluids, secretions, or
excretions. It is commonly contracted by patients in healthcare settings.
Patients whose care requires devices, and those who have been taking
antibiotics for a long period of time are most prone to contraction.
(b) Direct contact is the mode of transmission, and this almost always
happens in healthcare settings.
(c) Hand hygiene, protective equipment being worn when in contact with a
CRE patient, and enforcing regular, environmental cleaning and
disinfection of all surfaces in a healthcare setting.
6) Gram-negative bacteria
(a) Infections by these bacteria include those caused by Klebsiella,
Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli, etc.
(b) Infections by these bacteria are spread almost exclusively in healthcare
settings; it can enter the body via catheters, IVs, ventilators or wounds;
however, these bacteria are most commonly transmitted by the hands of
healthcare professionals and/or caregivers.
(c) Organizations such as the IDSA are encouraging drug companies to
research and develop new drugs to stop these infections. Health care
facilities should also practice infection control and prevention, especially
regular hand hygiene. Also, doctors need to not overprescribe antibiotics
to their patients.
7) Hepatitis
(a) Hepatitis A is contracted via oral-fecal route. Hepatitis B is contracted via
sexual contact, blood and body fluid transmission, and vertical
transmission from mothers to their babies. Hepatitis C is contracted via
sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs along with having sex
with someone else infected with the virus.
(b) The virus is transmitted when healthcare personnel treats a patient with
unrecognized hepatitis A and has diarrhea. Hepatitis B is spread a
healthcare setting when body fluid from an infected person enters the
body of an unaffected person (typically via needles, syringes, etc.)

Hepatitis C is transmitted via sharing drug needles and via unprotected

intercourse with a carrier
(c) Prevention of Hepatitis usually involves sterilizing medical equipment.
8) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- HIV is contracted by coming into contact with bodily fluids or equipment
which are contaminated.
- It is mainly transmitted through bloodborne pathogens but can also be
carried through semen, vaginal fluids, and even breast milk. Having unprotected sex
or sharing needles during drug injections is how HIV is often transmitted.
- Carrying out proper infection control procedures such as the use of personal
protective equipment can prevent the spread of HIV. Properly sterilizing medical
equipment is also a method of prevention. The use of birthcontrol such as condoms
can prevent the spead of HIV during sexual intercourse.
9) Influenza
- Influenza is contracted from a virus. There is often a particular season
associated with more active cases of influenza.
- It is considered a community-based infection and is transmitted is
households and community settings such as parks. It is mainly thought to pass from
person to person through the tiny droplets created through sneezing or coughing. It
can also be transmitted by solid surfaces.
- The influenza vaccine is the best method of prevention. Cough etiquette is
encouraged.
10)

Klebsiella

- Occurs in patients who are already sick and receiving treatment. The person
must be exposed to the bacteria, and the method of contraction affects which
infection the bacteria can cause (ex. pneumonia from entering the respiratory
tract).
- Is not spread through the air. People connected to machines such as
ventilators or catheters are at more risk.
- Hand washing, wearing protective coverings such as gloves, and cleaning
surfaces can prevent the spread of the bacteria.

11)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

- Caused by a staph bacteria and is mainly a skin infection. Often enters the
body throgh open wounds.
- Spread by contact with another person who has the bacteria on his or her
skin or a contaminated object. Common among people in hospitals or nursing
homes.
- Prevented by washing hands with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers and
careful cleaning of medical equipment.
Mycobacterium abscessus
- Bacteria found in water, soil, and dust. It can also be found in medications.
- It can cause lung infections in people who have cystic fibrosis and other
lung diseases. It can also be transmitted through open wounds or injection sites if
the skin is not disinfected.
- Washing your hands after caring for a patient with an infected site is most
important. People are also warned to avoid receiving injections by others who are
not licensed.
12)

Norovirus

- Contracted from a group of viruses. Children, elderly persons, or people with

an already existing illness are at risk for severe infection.
- Transmitted through person to person contact, and is especially at risk to
quickly spread in healthcare facilities and other settings such as schools. Can be
transmitted through food or drink.
- Prevented by isolation of infected persons to private rooms in healthcare
facilities, hand hygiene, the use of gloves, disinfecting equipment.
13)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

- Contracted by common strains of bacteria, and it typically occurs in

hospitals and people with weak immune systems. Can be contracted in water that is
not properly treated.
- Patients on breathing machines or with catheters are at high risk for
transmission. Can spread on workers' hands and on equipment that is not cleaned
properly.

- Can be prevented in hospitals with attention to infection control practices.

Outside of hospitals, prevention comes from ensuring proper treatment of water in
pools or hot tubs.
14)

Staphylococcus aureus

- Contracted through bacteria found on the skin or in the nose.

- Transmitted more easily though people with chronic conditions including
diabetes or vascular disease. More serious infections occur in people with weakened
immune systems who are most likely in the hospital. People with catheters or have
recently had surgery are at risk.
- Prevention of contracting the bacteria comes mainly from following infection
control practices.
15)

Tuberculosis (TB)

- Caused by a specific bacteria. Contraction is well recognized as a risk to

patients and workers in healthcare facilities.
- Transmission is most likely to occur from infected patients who have not
been placed in isolation and who are not on properly effective therapy for the
bacteria. Transmission comes from close contact with carriers of infectious
tuberculosis and particularly from coughing. It is spread through the air and can be
carried long distances through the air.
- Prevention comes with environmental controls such as exhaust ventilation
and high-effieciency air filters. Prevention also comes with the use of respiratory
protection equipment.
16-17) Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus and
Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Contracted from specific staph bacteria. Contracted by persons with
existing health problems such as kidney disease or diabetes, catheters, or who were
previously infected.
- Transmitted through catheters or wounds following surgery, ventilators,
heart valve infections, or transmitted into the bloodstream through puncture
wounds or drug abuse.
- Prevention comes from infection control practices: washing hands and
wearing gloves before and after coming into contact with infected patients. Avoiding
contact with other persons' wounds is also encouraged.
18)

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE)

- Contracted through specific types of bacteria which are resistant to

antimicrobials. Most infections occur in hospitals.
- Transmitted from hand to hand contact with caregivers of infected patients
or from contact with surfaces that are contaminated. Is not spread through the air.

- To prevent the spread of the bacteria, keep your hands washed especially
after using the restroom or having contact with infected persons; clean areas of the
house frequently; wear gloves if caring for wounds.