An infectious pathogen must breach the body’s defenses to cause disease. Some pathogens, called opportunistic pathogens, cause disease only if the host’s immune system is depressed. Others, called virulent pathogens, readily cause disease when they gain entrance to the body. Pathogens are transmitted by direct contact, indirect contact, vehicle transmission, or vector transmission. Direct Contact […]
C. Disease Transmission Read More »
The term pathogen comes from the Greek pathos, meaning “suffering or disease,” and gen, meaning “producer.” Therefore a pathogen is a producer of disease. The term refers to infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa (Fig. 3-1). Parasitic animals can also be passed from person to person or from animals to people and may
B. Types of Infectious Agents Read More »
A disease is an infectious or noninfectious abnormal condition that results in medically significant symptoms and often has a known cause. Diseases may cause changes in the appearance, structure, or function of cells, tissues, organs, or systems in the human body. The signs and symptoms of diseases may result from the disease process itself or
A. Types of Diseases Read More »
Injury or harm is unlikely to happen in a safe environment. In such an environment, conditions that may cause injury have been eliminated. Procedures are adopted to increase security and plans made to efficiently handle any accidents that may occur. The safety plan should include guidelines for ensuring the safety of both clients and therapists.
Lesson 3-4: The Safety Plan Read More »
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) introduced “Universal Precautions” in 1985, mostly in response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. At the time, Universal Precautions were a set of guidelines for health care professionals aimed at preventing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.16 In 1996, the
Lesson 3-3: Standard Precautions Read More »
It is impossible to know if a client who walks into your business is infected with a pathogen. Similarly, you may be infected and not know it. Because pathogens that cause serious illness are all around us, sanitation and hygiene practices are required at all times to prevent the spread of disease. These practices include
Lesson 3-2: Preventing the Transmission of Disease Read More »
To prevent the spread of disease, you should understand the different types of diseases, infectious agents (also called pathogens) and their forms, and the processes by which disease may be transmitted.
Lesson 3-1: Disease Read More »
Massage therapists are required by health standards and professional ethics to provide a clean, hygienic, and safe environment for their clients. Therapists adopt standard sanitation procedures to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Sanitation protocols include therapist hygiene; the sanitation of the treatment room, equipment, and product containers; and general cleanness of the facility. In
Lesson 3-0: Introduction Read More »
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