Question

It is important to be aware of bacteria and its spores, fungi and viruses when working in hospitals, residential aged care facilities and even community nursing. Establish the difference between bacteria, fungi and virus by defining each along with examples that you may come across in a hospital environment (in 100-200 words).

Answer 1

Nurses are the one who works in different healthcare settings and come across numerous infectious diseases. She has to care for the patients and also should protect themselves from an infectious agent. Pathogens are microorganisms which cause infection. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites are examples of the microorganisms.

Bacteria is a single-cell microorganism that is larger than viruses. It may be rod, spiral or sphere shapes. Under certain condition, It can be divide and multiply into multiple through binary fission. It can be pathogenic or non-pathogenic (does not cause any illness). Some of the bacteria present inside of our body which is useful to us. For Example, the strains of E.coli present in the gut flora are helpful for digestion. But E.coli 0157: H7 can cause food poisoning in humans. Some of the bacterial infections are more common in the hospital environment are Streptococcus and staphylococcal infection. This can be treated with antibiotics but the overuse of antibiotics become resistant to bacteria. MRSA is an example where the nurse has to protect themselves by using barrier precautions.

Viruses are smaller than bacteria and are mostly transmitted through the airways. Commonly known viral infections are flu, common cold, sore throat infection. For EX: Some of the viral infections come across by the nurses are measles, influenza, and glandular fever. This may weaken the immune system. Usually, it can be treated with antiviral drugs, and some of them can be prevented through vaccines.

Fungi is a plant-like organism and can be either yeast(single-celled) or Mould (double-celled). It can also be a pathogen and cause severe infections. Examples of some of the fungal infection are thrush, athlete's foot, and ringworm infection. Ringworm is the common infection in the healthcare environment Otherwise fungi is a rare cause of health-acquired infection.