Multiple innate factors (e.g., age, nutritional status, genetics, immune competency, and pre-existing chronic diseases) and external variables (e.g., concurrent drug therapy) influence the overall susceptibility of a person exposed to a virus.
elderly people. frail people. people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes. people with low immunity – such as people with diseases that compromise their immune system or people who are being treated with chemotherapy or steroids.
Susceptible Host – it's either a baby, an elderly person or someone with a weakened immune system that is susceptible to the infectious agent.
CausesBacteria. These one-cell organisms are responsible for illnesses such as strep throat, urinary tract infections and tuberculosis.Viruses. Even smaller than bacteria, viruses cause a multitude of diseases ranging from the common cold to AIDS.Fungi. ... Parasites.
1 : having little resistance to a specific infectious disease : capable of being infected. 2 : predisposed to develop a noninfectious disease susceptible to diabetes.
Life style risk factors such as aging, poor nutrition, infection and exposure to toxicants can also increase susceptibility to illnesses.
Chain of Infection: Susceptible HostAge. The very young or very old are usually more susceptible.Health status. Malnourished, dehydrated, or otherwise unhealthy persons are more at risk.Medication usage. Immune suppressing drugs allow pathogens to take hold more freely.General resistance factors.
Susceptible Host. The final link in the chain of infection is a susceptible host, someone at risk of infection. Infection does not occur automatically when the pathogen enters the body of a person whose immune system is functioning normally.
Susceptibility and response to an agent are influenced by factors such as genetic composition, nutritional and immunologic status, anatomic structure, presence of disease or medications, and psychological makeup. Environment refers to extrinsic factors that affect the agent and the opportunity for exposure.
Objects may be sources of infection; food, water, air-conditioning systems, showers, medical instruments, recreational waters, door knobs, cotton handkerchiefs etc. Most man-made products that may be sources of infection are required to be produced while limiting the risk of contamination.
Three things are necessary for an infection to occur: Source: Places where infectious agents (germs) live (e.g., sinks, surfaces, human skin) Susceptible Person with a way for germs to enter the body. Transmission: a way germs are moved to the susceptible person.
Common sources of infection Sources, e.g. airborne, blood borne, sexually transmitted, fecal, oral, environment, stagnant water, warm-water systems, animals.