INTRODUCTION
A communicable (or an infectious) disease is one that is transmitted only by a specific kind of contact. A path is usually followed when it comes to the spread and transmission of pathogens from one person to another. The link has stages that include:
- Etiological agent- it is an infectious agent that can be any microorganism that can be capable of producing an infection.
- Susceptible host- or also known as a non-immune is an individual who has little or no resistance against a disease organism and if exposed is liable to contract the disease.
- Portal of entry- this is the place where the infectious agent enters the body.
- Method of transmission- it is the means by which the infectious agent travels to another host. It involves contact between the infectious agent and the susceptible host. It can be in direct or indirect. Transmission can either be through objects or living organisms.
- Portal of exit- this is a passage out of the body and can include from the range of the mouth or nose or an open injury.
- Reservoir- it is a place where microorganism originate or breed from.
- Method of transmission- a nurse who washes her hands after leaving the patients room reduces any chance of any disease vector leaving the infected individuals room, thus breaking the link, and preventing the direct transmission of the pathogen.
- Etiologic agent- this can be easily sorted out when for example a nurse autoclaves infected surgical instruments.
- Portal of entry- nurses can avoid contracting hepatitis C by making sure that their skin is not grazed or punctured by any infected needle.
- Susceptible host- when there is a spread of chicken pox nurses can take the initiative to vaccinate or immunize children in order to curb the spread.
- Portal of exit- a vial of blood belonging to a patient with hepatitis B, can easily be sealed in a container by a nurse after she has drawn from it thus breaking the chain that enables the portal of exit from the reservoir.
- Reservoir- some community health nurse raises awareness to drain stagnant water to discourage the increase of the mosquito population in that area. As the mosquito is the reservoir when the numbers subside it reduces the chances of the disease vector spreading.
WORKS CITED
Heymann, David. Control Communication Diseases Manual. 19th ed. New York: Harcourt and Brace, 2012. Print.
Stanhope, Marcia. Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the community. 8th ed. New York: Nerd Press, 2011.print.
