Understanding Microorganisms: Their Nature, Impact, and Infection Control Strategies

1. Controlling Infection - Nature of Micro-organisms

2. Microorganisms • What are they? • Tiny organisms found in the air, on our skin, in our food, and on everything we touch that you cannot see without a microscope • Good • Nonpathogenic, keep a balance in our environment • Bad • Pathogenic, cause illness, infection, or disease

3. Microorganisms • Anaerobic • Able to grow and function without oxygen • Aerobic • Require oxygen to survive

4. Microorganisms • Most that cause illness like warm temperatures (like the body temp) • All need moisture • Most prefer a dark area to grow What organisms in biology class like the same things?? Mold and Fungus

5. Microorganisms • Nonpathogenic Organisms • Used for good things like making foods and beverages • Decompose organic material in nature • Breakdown food elements in the digestive system • Help control the growth of pathogenic organisms

6. Microorganisms • Pathogenic Organisms • When organisms leave their normal environment in the body and move into other areas and become harmful • Examples: • E.coli • Salmonella • Bacteria – Staph • Viruses

7. Microorganisms • Conditions Affecting the Growth of Bacteria 1. Food – bacteria grow well in the food left in a patient’s room 2. Moisture – bacteria grow well in moist places

8. Microorganisms • Conditions Affecting the Growth of Bacteria 3. Temp • 170 degrees F - kills most bacteria • 50-110 degrees F - most disease causing bacteria grow rapidly • 98.6 degrees F – normal human body temp where bacteria can thrive easily • 32 degrees F – low temperatures slow their activity and growth rate

9. Microorganisms • Conditions Affecting the Growth of Bacteria 4. Oxygen - Aerobic – need oxygen - Anaerobic - don’t need oxygen 5. Light - Darkness – bacteria become active and multiply - Light – when exposed to direct sunlight bacteria become sluggish and die rapidly 6. Dead and Living Matter - Saprophytes – bacteria that live on dead matter or tissues - Parasites – bacteria that live on living matter

10. Microorganisms • How they affect the body • Produce toxins • Food poisoning causes fatigue, diarrhea, and vomiting • Tetanus toxins cause damage to the nervous system • Histamines cause allergic reactions like runny noses or more severe such as anaphylactic shock

11. Microorganisms • How they are spread • Direct contact • Indirect Contact • Airborne • Oral Route • Insects and Pests

12. Microorganisms • How do we protect from them? • Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions • Will cover later 

13. Microorganisms • Signs and Symptoms of an Infection • Generalized (example: cold and flu) • Headache, fatigue, fever, increased pulse and respiration • Localized (staph infection) • Redness, swelling, heat, possible drainage, pain

15. Microorganisms • So what is the point??? • Microorganisms are all around us. • Some are good and some are bad • We need to understand them and how they spread to protect ourselves and our patients • Learn how to control and treat them • As a healthcare worker it is your responsibility to practice good techniques to prevent the spread of infection