Overview
This lecture covers the types of pathogens found in salon/spa environments and the main ways infection can be transmitted, emphasizing best practices for infection prevention.
Types of Pathogens
- Pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease, also called germs.
- Five main types: bacteria, viruses, external parasites, fungi, and biofilm.
- Bacteria can be nonpathogenic (harmless/beneficial) or pathogenic (disease-producing).
- Pathogenic bacteria cause infections like strep throat or staph, and some are highly contagious (e.g., MRSA, Mycobacterium).
- Viruses are smaller than bacteria and require a host to multiply; they are not treatable with antibiotics (e.g., cold, flu, hepatitis, HIV, HPV).
- External parasites (e.g., mites, lice) live on hosts and can cause skin conditions like scabies and pediculosis capitis.
- Fungi include molds and yeasts; ringworm is a contagious fungal infection.
- Biofilm is a protective slime formed by bacterial colonies and water, making disinfection important.
Ways Infection is Transmitted
- Direct transmission: person-to-person contact, including skin or respiratory droplets.
- Indirect transmission: contact with contaminated objects, airborne droplets, food/water, animal or insect bites.
- Common salon spread: open sores, unclean hands or implements, coughing/sneezing, shared towels or tools, unsanitary conditions.
- Infections can be local (confined area) or general/systemic (throughout body).
- Asymptomatic carriers can spread disease without showing symptoms.
Infection Control and Immunity
- Standard precautions mean applying the same infection control for all clients (disinfection, handwashing, PPE).
- Immunity is the body’s ability to destroy infectious agents.
- Active immunity develops after exposure or vaccination; passive immunity is immediate but temporary and comes from external antibodies.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Pathogen — microorganism that causes disease.
- Bacteria — one-celled organisms; can be nonpathogenic or pathogenic.
- Virus — sub-microscopic infectious agent needing a host cell to multiply.
- External parasite — organism that lives on/gets nutrients from a host.
- Fungi — molds/yeasts causing infections like ringworm.
- Biofilm — sticky layer of bacteria and water, hard to remove.
- Contagious/Communicable — disease spread by contact.
- Standard precautions — universal infection control practices.
- Immunity — body’s ability to resist infection.
- Local infection — infection in a small, confined area. (Little)
- General infection— infection throughout the whole body (giant)
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review all infection control procedures and practice proper handwashing.
- Learn how to recognize different types of pathogens and signs of infection.
- Complete any assigned ‘Check What You Know’ review questions.