Which term describes the sequence showing how infections spread?

Which term describes the sequence showing how infections spread?

• A. Chronic health effects
• B. Baseline
• C. Chain of infection
• D. Contaminant

Answer: (C)

The sequence that describes how infections spread is the chain of infection, which maps the path from the source of the microorganism through a series of links to a susceptible person. Understanding this chain helps infection control by showing where to intervene—interrupt any link to stop transmission. The links include the pathogen, the reservoir where it lives, a portal of exit, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry, and a susceptible host. By breaking one link—such as eliminating the reservoir, using barriers to prevent exit or entry, practicing proper hand hygiene, or protecting the host with vaccination—you prevent the infection from spreading. Chronic health effects refer to long-term outcomes, baseline is a reference point, and a contaminant is an unwanted substance; none describe the transmitted pathway like the chain of infection does.

The sequence that describes how infections spread is the chain of infection, which maps the path from the source of the microorganism through a series of links to a susceptible person. Understanding this chain helps infection control by showing where to intervene—interrupt any link to stop transmission. The links include the pathogen, the reservoir where it lives, a portal of exit, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry, and a susceptible host. By breaking one link—such as eliminating the reservoir, using barriers to prevent exit or entry, practicing proper hand hygiene, or protecting the host with vaccination—you prevent the infection from spreading. Chronic health effects refer to long-term outcomes, baseline is a reference point, and a contaminant is an unwanted substance; none describe the transmitted pathway like the chain of infection does.