Methods Used To Minimise The Transmission and Spread Of Infectious Diseases
PROPHYLAXIS
o Antibiotics: they are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by
killing bacteria or preventing them from spreading. However antibiotics do not work for
infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs and sore throats, this is because antibiotics
do not work for viral infections (NHS,2019). Antibiotics are sometimes given as a precaution
to prevent infection. This is known as antibiotic prophylaxis, this could be given in situations
where the antibiotics are given as a preventive treatment: when having an operation, after a
bite or wound that could get infected. (NHS,2019). Some antibacterial’s eg, penicillin, kill
bacteria outright and are called bactericidal. They may directly attack the bacterial cell wall,
which injures the cell. The bacteria can no longer attack the body, preventing these cells
from doing any further damage within the body. Other antibacterial’s block the bacteria’s
growth or reproduction. Often called bacteriostatic antibiotics, they prevent nutrients from
reaching the bacteria, which stops them from dividing and multiplying. Because millions of
bacteria are needed to continue the disease process, these antibiotics can stop the infection
and give the body’s own immune system time to attack (healthychildren,2017) To increase
efficacy, antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a health professional.prevent
infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact
with sick people(who,2019)
o Antimalarial: malaria is a serious tropical disease spread when an infected mosquito (known
as plasmodium) bites a person, it passes the parasites into the bloodstream and if not
diagnosed and treated promptly it can be fatal. Antimalarial medication is used to prevent
and treat malaria. Treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis has been confirmed.
There are many different types of antimalarial
PROPHYLAXIS
o Antibiotics: they are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by
killing bacteria or preventing them from spreading. However antibiotics do not work for
infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs and sore throats, this is because antibiotics
do not work for viral infections (NHS,2019). Antibiotics are sometimes given as a precaution
to prevent infection. This is known as antibiotic prophylaxis, this could be given in situations
where the antibiotics are given as a preventive treatment: when having an operation, after a
bite or wound that could get infected. (NHS,2019). Some antibacterial’s eg, penicillin, kill
bacteria outright and are called bactericidal. They may directly attack the bacterial cell wall,
which injures the cell. The bacteria can no longer attack the body, preventing these cells
from doing any further damage within the body. Other antibacterial’s block the bacteria’s
growth or reproduction. Often called bacteriostatic antibiotics, they prevent nutrients from
reaching the bacteria, which stops them from dividing and multiplying. Because millions of
bacteria are needed to continue the disease process, these antibiotics can stop the infection
and give the body’s own immune system time to attack (healthychildren,2017) To increase
efficacy, antibiotics should only be taken when prescribed by a health professional.prevent
infections by regularly washing hands, preparing food hygienically, avoiding close contact
with sick people(who,2019)
o Antimalarial: malaria is a serious tropical disease spread when an infected mosquito (known
as plasmodium) bites a person, it passes the parasites into the bloodstream and if not
diagnosed and treated promptly it can be fatal. Antimalarial medication is used to prevent
and treat malaria. Treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis has been confirmed.
There are many different types of antimalarial
