Chain of Infection

​Transmission in a health care setting refers to the passing of a pathogen causing communicable disease from an infected host individual or group to a particular individual or group

​Direct contact

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​Airborne

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​Injection

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​Ingestion

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​Indirect contact

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​Vector

​Direct contact by touching a person with an infected wound

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​Airborne transmission by inhaling microorganisms such as tuberculosis

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​Injection of bloodborne transmission through blood and other body fluids

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​Ingestion by means of eating or drinking contaminants

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​Indirect contact transmitted from a nonliving object such as a doorknob

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​Vector transmission from an insect such as lyme disease from a tick

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The spread of an infection is described as a “chain,” several interconnected steps that describe how a pathogen moves about.

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​For an infection to develop, each link of the chain must be connected. Breaking any link of the chain can stop the transmission of infection!