Preventing Disease Flashcards
(9 cards)
What are the most common germs?
Bacteria and viruses.
What is an infectious disease?
An illness that can spread from one person to another.
What are some ways viruses and bacteria differ from one another?
Viruses depend on living things to survive, bacteria does not. Infections caused by bacteria are mostly easily treatable with antibiotics; few medications are able to fight viruses.
What are the two ways bacteria and viruses are spread from person to person?
Through direct and indirect contact.
Explain both direct and indirect contact.
Direct contact occurs when blood or other body fluids from a person pass directly into your body through cuts or scrapes on your skin or through the lining of your mouth, nose or eyes.
Indirect contact occurs when shared objects are contaminated by airborne droplets from an infected person.
What is another way disease is spread?
Bites from animals, insects or other humans. Though uncommon, contracting a disease from any bite is possible.
Name some of the more serious germs that can cause disease.
Hepatitis B and C virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which causes AIDS. Though serious, these germs are not easily transmitted and are not spread by casual contact. The primary way to transmit these viruses during first aid care is through blood to blood contact.
What are some of the ways you can prevent the transmission of diseases while giving care to an ill or injured person?
Always use protective barriers (for CPR, gloves and other PPE) while giving care to someone, avoid contact with blood and other body fluids or anything that may be soiled with any body fluids, always cover your own cuts, scrapes and sores with bandages prior to using PPE.
Don’t eat or drink, touch your eyes, nose or mouth or handle any of your personal items at any time while giving care or before washing your hands thoroughly in warm, soapy water. Let EMS personnel at the scene know if you came in contact with an injured persons body fluids.
How can you prevent disease transmission while cleaning up blood spills?
Clean up the spill immediately or as soon as possible, use gloves and other PPE, wipe up the spill with paper towels or other absorbent material.
Pick up sharp objects, such as broken glass or needles, with tongs, broom and dustpan or 2 pieces of cardboard.
After the area has been wiped up, disinfect the area with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, letting it stand at least 10 minutes.
Dispose of any contaminated material in a labeled biohazard container.
