The chain of infection is the way germs spread from one person to another, starting with a source of infection, like an ill person, and traveling through different steps, like touching surfaces or the air.
Every day, about 1 in 31 people in hospitals get an infection that they didn’t have before. These infections can be a big problem, but the good news is that washing hands properly can stop up to 50% of these infections.
This is a bigger problem in some parts of the world. In richer countries, about 7 out of every 100 hospital patients get an infection. But in poorer countries, the number is much higher, with 15 out of every 100 patients getting sick. In the European Union and nearby areas, there are around 8.9 million infections in hospitals each year.
When people wash their hands properly and follow simple rules, up to 70% of these infections can be stopped. Sadly, many healthcare workers don’t always wash their hands the right way. In poorer countries, only about 9% of healthcare workers do it when they care for very sick patients. Even in richer countries, less than 70% of workers wash their hands properly.
What is the Chain of Infection?
The chain of infection is like a set of steps that germs follow to spread from one person to another. Think of it as a chain made up of six links. If we can break any of these links, we can stop the germs from spreading and keep everyone safer.
The problem with these infections is serious. More than 24% of patients who get a serious infection, like sepsis, sadly die each year. Even worse, some infections can become harder to treat with medicines, and people can die more easily from them.
This shows why it’s so important to wash hands and follow good health rules to protect people in hospitals and clinics. By breaking any link in this infectious chain, such as washing hands or wearing protective gear, we can stop the germs from spreading and keep everyone safer.
Let’s break down each link:
- Infectious Agent (The Germ)
This is the germ that makes us sick, like a virus or bacteria. Even though they are too small to see, they can cause big problems in our bodies. Examples include the flu virus or bacteria that cause strep throat. - Reservoir (Where the Germ Lives)
The reservoir is where the germ stays and grows. This could be a sick person, an animal, or even places like water, soil, or surfaces. For example, mosquitoes carry the malaria germ, and dirty water can spread cholera. - Portal of Exit (How the Germ Leaves Its Home)
The germ needs a way to leave its current home to infect someone else. It can exit through things like:
- Coughing or sneezing (for respiratory infections)
- Going to the bathroom (for gut infections)
- Blood (for infections that affect the bloodstream)
- Mode of Transmission (How the Germ Travels)
Once the germ leaves its home, it needs to find a way to travel to a new person. Germs can spread by:
- Direct contact (like touching or hugging)
- Indirect contact (like touching a germy doorknob)
- Through the air (like when someone sneezes)
- Through food or water that’s been contaminated
- Portal of Entry (How the Germ Gets Into a New Person)
Germs need a way to get inside the new person’s body. This usually happens through the mouth, nose, or eyes, or through cuts or broken skin. - Susceptible Host (The Person Who Can Get Sick)
This is the person who gets infected by the germ. Some people are more likely to get sick, like young children, older adults, or people with weak immune systems.
Breaking the Chain: Infection Control Strategies
Now that we know how germs spread, let’s talk about how we can stop them. Infection control is all about breaking one of the links in the chain. Most health workers usually would go for a train the trainer course on infection control and prevention, to help other team members understand this.
Here are simple ways to do that:
- Hand Hygiene: The Simplest Yet Most Effective Method
Washing your hands is one of the best ways to stop germs from spreading. Here’s how to do it right:
- Wet your hands with clean water.
- Apply soap and scrub all parts of your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse well with running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or let them air dry.
Wash your hands often, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing.
- Respiratory Hygiene: Cover That Cough!
When we cough or sneeze, we spread germs into the air. To keep germs from flying everywhere:- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
- Throw the tissue away right after use.
- If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
- Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
In hospitals or when taking care of sick people, using protective gear like gloves, masks, and gowns can help stop germs from spreading. - Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection
Germs can live on surfaces like doorknobs and countertops, so regular cleaning is essential.- Wipe down surfaces that are often touched.
- Use cleaning products that kill germs.
- In hospitals, follow strict cleaning rules for medical equipment and patient rooms.
- Proper Food Handling
To stop infections that spread through food:- Wash your hands before touching food.
- Cook food to the right temperature.
- Keep raw and cooked foods separate.
- Store perishable foods in the fridge quickly.
- Vaccination
Vaccines help protect us from many diseases. They make our bodies stronger against certain germs and stop the spread of sickness to others. - Isolation and Quarantine
When someone is very sick, it can help to keep them away from others so the germs don’t spread. This might mean staying home when you’re sick or being isolated in a hospital for more serious infections. - Proper Waste Management
In hospitals, it’s very important to dispose of used medical equipment, like needles, safely to stop germs from spreading. - Antibiotic Stewardship
Using antibiotics only when necessary helps prevent bacteria from becoming resistant to medicine. Resistant germs, called “superbugs,” are harder to treat.
The Importance of Infection Control
Infection control is not just for hospitals — it’s something we can all do to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe.
By learning how infections spread and practicing infection control, we can:
- Protect ourselves from getting sick.
- Stop infections from spreading to others.
- Keep our communities healthier.
- Reduce the strain on hospitals and healthcare workers.
- Save lives, especially those who are more vulnerable to infections.
Conclusion
In our everyday lives, we are exposed to countless tiny germs and bacteria that can cause illness. But how do these harmful microorganisms spread from one person to another? This is where the idea of the “chain of infection” becomes crucial.
Health experts explain that infections spread through a series of steps, from the initial germ to the person who eventually gets sick.
By understanding this process, we can take steps to prevent the spread of infections and protect ourselves and others. Let’s take a closer look at how we can break the chain of infection and stop illnesses before they spread.
The chain of infection helps us understand how germs spread, while infection control gives us the tools to break that chain.
By washing our hands, covering our coughs, getting vaccinated, and using other infection control methods, we can all do our part. Remember, preventing infections is everyone’s job — not just doctors and nurses. By working together, we can create safer, healthier communities.
