Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

Infection Prevention and Control

Infection prevention and control is required to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases in all health care settings. Infection prevention and control demands a basic understanding of the epidemiology of diseases; risk factors that increase patient susceptibility to infection; and the practices, procedures and treatments that may result in infections. The risk of acquiring a health care-associated infection is related to the mode of transmission of the infectious agent, the type of patient-care activity or procedure being performed and the underlying patient’s host defenses. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and others from various infectious diseases.