Week 2: Infection

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Week 2: Infection

"Infection Occurs when an organism is able to colonise and multiply within a host"

Bacteria, virus and fungi are the most common microorganisms which cause infection

Common signs and symptoms of an Infection

Fever (this is sometimes the only sign of an infection).

Chills and sweats.

Change in cough or a new cough.

Sore throat or new mouth sore.

Shortness of breath.

Nasal congestion.

Stiff neck.

Burning or pain with urination.

Unusual vaginal discharge or irritation.

Increased urination.

Redness, soreness, or swelling in any area, including surgical wounds and ports.

Diarrhea.

Vomiting.

Pain in the abdomen or rectum.

New onset of pain.

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Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung and primarily affects the microscopic air sacs called alveoli. Pneumonia can occur anywhere in the body.

Symptoms of Pneumonia:

- fever

- cough which may produce phlegm

- shortness of breath

- chest pain when breathing or coughing

- fatigue

- nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea

Pathophysiology of pneumonia

The body's natural response to any infection is to leak fluid. In pneumonia the alveoli fills with fluid as a result of the infection. Alveoli's are where gas exchange happens (oxygen goes to the blood stream and carbon dioxide gets exhaled to the outside environment). If some alveoli's have been filled with fluid, gas exchange will be impaired because gas can't get exchanged through fluid. This will create symptoms such as shortness of breath and may the inflammation of the alveoli will cause pain when breathing or coughing. The body naturally will want to get rid of the fluid which is impairing gas exchange, so symptoms such as coughing with phlegm will occur. Infections are commonly associated with having a fever because the bodies natural response to an infection is to rise in temperature because it kills bacteria and creates an inhospitable environment for bacteria to develop. With the body working harder to get oxygen to the bodies cells, the person may experience fatigue.

What causes pneumonia

Community acquired pneumonia:

- bacteria (strepptococcus pneumoniae)

- virus (flu virus)

- in rare cases, parasites and fungi can cause

Ventilation acquired pneumonia

Aspiration

Medical officers

May order blood tests, a chest x-ray and a sputum specimen to be collected for diagnosis. They will then prescribe appropriate antibiotics.

Nurses

May perform frequent respiratory assessments, gather the sputum specimen, administer prescribed pain medication, instruct patients to do deep breathing and coughing exercises, allow patient to get rest, mobilise when possible and should be sitting up when possible. For preventative measures and to avoid other patients from developing pneumonia, the nurse can also regularly perform hand hygiene when necessary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=dzJNabJAPaE (Embed)

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Here are some pictures :)

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Revision Time!!!!

Infectious Disease

And Finally a FUN Quiz (It may or may not be fun)

Infection and Pneumonia