Fomite Transmission Essay

569 Words3 Pages
There are 3 requirements necessary for the spread of infection. They include: a source of infection, a means of transmission for the microbe or infection, and a susceptible host. There are many different factors that can make someone a susceptible host for infection. One could be a pre-existing injury. For example, someone with an abdominal wound from previous surgery has a possible site for infection. It could be someone with a compromised immune status such as, HIV, leukopenia or anemia. Young infants, children and the geriatric population are at high risk. A person that is stressed is at higher risk. Someone with several co-morbidities, such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes is at higher risk than someone that has excellent health. Three primary modes of pathogen transmission are contact, direct and indirect. Contact transmission, person to person, is known as horizontal transmission. Vertical transmission occurs from mother to child, usually via the placenta. Contact transmission can be either, direct or indirect. Direct contact can result from coming into contact with organisms from skin, infected wound, or body secretions to another part of the body or another person. Droplet transmission can be transmitted by coughing, talking or sneezing with colds, viruses or influenza, and is another form of contact. Indirect occurs when organisms from an infected host or other reservoir are transmitted to the susceptible host from an inanimate object or fomite. Fomites transmission is one of the most common exposures. Eight test sites chosen for fomite testing include: 1. Car key; 2. Refrigerator door handle; 3. Toothbrush handle; 4: Television remote; 5. Toilet handle; 6. Door handle; 7. Keyboard; 8. Faucet handle. 1. Car key-At 24 and 48 hours, moderate amount of growth with isolated colonies that are cream colored, raised circles. 2. Refrigerator-
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