Infection Control and Environmental Health - Essay Example

Infection Control and Environmental Health According to the Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary infection is defined as: "the presence and growth of a microorganism that produces tissue death." (Internet based lessons, N.D.)We are continuously exposed to a variety of microorganisms from air we breath, the water we drink or the soil where we grow our crops, the cloths we ware and they are also present in out mouth, intestines and other parts of human body. These microorganisms can penetrate the body through the skin, through the mucous membranes present in the eyes, mouth and nose, through the digestive tract, by consuming contaminated food, through the urinary and reproductive tracts through sex, the respiratory system by breathing in contaminated air and the circulatory system through breaks in the skin. Microorganisms, can be broadly classified into commensal and Pathogenic micro-organism. Those microorganisms that are present in the body without producing any harmful effects, for example, the e-coli bacteria is naturally present in the intestine, these are the commensal microorganisms, where as those that produce toxins in the body or damage cells, tissues or body functions are termed as pathogens. For example, the small pox viruses, HIV, chicken pox viruses, etc are pathogenic microorganisms. There are five classes of microorganisms:Bacteria is a simple one-cell plant-like structures that multiply rapidly and are classified according to shape and arrangement as gram positive and gram negative bacterial. Diseases such as boils, toxic shock, tuberculosis, syphilis and botulism are caused by bacteria.The second class of organisms is the protozoa which is also one-cell animals found living on decayed materials and also in dirty water. These organisms are responsible for diseases such as malaria, and amebic dysentery. The third category of organisms is the Fungi. These are simple plant-like structures that live on dead organic materials and are responsible for infections such as ringworm, thrush and athletes foot. Rickettsia is parasitic organisms requiring a host to live. These are similar to bacteria but smaller in size and they reproduce inside their host, which includes fleas, ticks, lice and mites. Human beings are affected when these hosts bites. Diseases such as Lymes disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are good examples of diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms. Viruses are the smallest of all microorganisms. The most significant aspect of viruses is that these cannot reproduce without the aid ofa living host cell. Viruses are spread through blood, vaginal secretions, semen and other body fluids. Diseases caused by viruses include the common cold, HIV, chickenpox, smallpox, Measles, Hepatitis, Mumps and warts (Internet based lessons, N.D.). The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests the following measures to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Good hygienic practices such as washing hands before cooking or eating, regularly cleaning and disinfecting the place we live and especially the place in which children are present, by handling and preparing food safely, getting immunized, keeping pets healthy and clean and by avoiding contact with wild animals. Infections and diseases can also be prevented by breaking the chain if infection is asepsis. Asepsis is a condition that is defined as a situation in which pathogens are absent or controlled. Aseptic practices break the chain of infection by preventing the transmission of pathogens. There are three levels of aseptic control and these include antisepsis or sanitation, disinfection and sterilization. Infection control especially in places such as hospitals is among the top priority. In addition to the normal hygienic practices in hospitals, it is also a common process to sterilize equipment, safe disposal of needles and other equipment that has come into contact with the patient. According to the World Health Organization, "In its broadest sense, environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, disease, and injury that are determined or influenced by factors in the environment. This includes the study of both the direct pathological effects of various chemical, physical, and biological agents, as well as the effects on health of the broad physical and social environment, which includes housing, urban development, land-use and transportation, industry, and agriculture." (WHO, 1997). In general, environmental health encompasses those aspects of human health that include quality of life. This quality of life is in turn determined by physical, chemical, biological, social, and psychosocial factors in the natural environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing those factors in the environment that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations. For instance, soil contamination, water pollution, air pollution, safe drinking water, nutrition, noise pollution, light pollution, waste control, and public health are integral part of environmental health. From the industrial revolution, the earth's environment has been undergoing changes. The technological advancement has not only had an impact on the income of individual but has had adverse impact on the entire global environment. Increased industrial activities, vehicles had polluted the most important resources on the earth- the air, water and the soil. Besides it has also resulted in depleting some of the non-renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuels. Pollution and depletion of natural resources will not only have an impact on present generation but will also deprive the future generations from enjoying the pollution free environment. Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974: This is an Act to make further provision for securing the health, safety and welfare of persons at work, for protecting others against risks to health or safety in connection with the activities of persons at work, for controlling the keeping and use and preventing the unlawful acquisition, possession and use of dangerous substances, and for controlling certain emissions into the atmosphere; to make further provision with respect to the employment medical advisory service; to amend the law relating to building regulations, and the Building (Scotland) Act 1959; and for connected purposes (HSE, N.D.). The Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations of 1988, consolidated in 1994, amended in 1996, 1997and 1998, 1999 and further consolidated in 2002 are the main piece of legislation covering control of the risks to employees and other people arising from exposure to harmful substances generated out of or in connection with any work activity under the employer's control. The main objective of the Regulations is to reduce occupational ill health by setting out a simple framework for controlling hazardous substances in the workplace (chm.bris.ac.uk, 2005). Both these Acts are meant for the working environment to make it safe, secure and healthy for workers. Especially, these Acts look into the environmental safety and also help the companies to formulate policies accordingly. References chm.bris.ac.uk, (2005) Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/safety/coshhintro.htm HSE, (N.D.) Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.pdf Internet based lessons, (N.D.) Principles of Infection Control, Retrieved on 12 May 2007 from http://www.roanoke.k12.va.us/schools/fleming/lawson/jgpage/infect.htm World Health Organization (WHO). (1997) Indicators for Policy and Decision Making in Environmental Health. (Draft). Geneva, Switzerland: WHO. Read More