D3: Explain how pathogenic micro- organisms are transmitted Introduction: - Explain the role of the immune system in fighting off infections. Main: What other factors does the body have to fight off infections as well as the immune system? (skin, mucus, tears, ear wax, stomach acid) Explain what it means to be a 'carrier' vs. being 'infected'. Direct and indirect contact Support: Define transmission by direct and indirect contact Explain how disease is transmitted through direct and indirect contact. What is the risk to the individual of direct and indirect contact? (i.e not knowing that an area is contaminated) How can an individual protect themselves against the spread through direct and indirect? Direct: Being in contact with someone who may be contaminated and have left the microorganism around. (blood, bodily fluids) Indirect: touching a surface previously touched by someone who is infected and have transmitted the bacteria to that surface (e.g. uncleaned surface area/object, gym mats etc) Inhalation Explain what transmission through inhalation is Explain what areas of the body are used during the inhalation process How does transmission of diseases occur through inhalation? (sneezes, coughs, germs in the air) Inoculation What is inoculation and how do the injections work? (Injecting a dead or inactive cell from an infection or disease to trigger the immune system to fight the infection). Flu jab etc. So how is this a way of transmitting pathogens? (Think about the injections transmit some of the pathogen into you, but also it could spread pathogens when it punctures the skin. How does this protect an individual? How can negative transmission of the pathogens be avoided? Give examples of jabs given to children in the UK (see NHS website) Ingestion What is meant by transmission through ingestion? Give examples of how pathogens can be transmitted through ingestion e.g. contaminated food or water, uncooked food/food spoilage (discuss both of these) What are the risks of both to the individual? How can this transmission be avoided? Reservoirs Define reservoirs and explain how this is a way to transmit pathogens Give ways that pathogens can be transmitted in reservoirs e.g. animals (mosquitoes can live in the damp area), the water itself, vegetation around it Discuss diseases it can spread e.g. legionnaires disease (contaminated water), Tetanus (contaminated soil) How can transmission through reservoirs be avoided? Fomites Define fomites and give examples Explain how this is a way to transmit pathogens e.g. transmission of a fluid from an infected source (person with a cold not washing hands touches a door handle, hospital equipment). How can transmission through fomites be avoided?