A critical evaluation of infection control issues for patients Essay - 1

A critical evaluation of infection control issues for patients presenting with Tuberculosis in the eye clinic department - Essay Example The present article discusses the critical evaluation of infection control issues for patients with tuberculosis in the eye clinic department. Tuberculosis or TB is a contagious, airborne disease of the lungs that is potentially spreads to other parts of the body and may be fatal. The disease can now be treated, cured, and prevented. However, inspite of the constant efforts scientists are not able to eradicate it completely. It spreads to the most sensitive population or those at higher risk especially the elderly people with reduced immunity or people with immunocompromised condition or suffering with AIDS. Elderly people are especially vulnerable for a number of reasons. First, the disease can take years to become active, so an older person may have gotten the disease earlier in life and only discovered it after it became active. Second, people who live in nursing homes and similar facilities are often in close contact with each other and the disease can spread more easily in such conditions. Third, the bodys immune system becomes weaker as a person grows older and older people may find it more difficult to hold off an attack of the tubercle bacillus. Migration of individuals from developing countries has further enhanced the chances for the spread of disease. People who abuse alcohol and illegal drugs are also at high risk for the disease. Transmission is through droplets. When a person suffering with TB coughs or sneezes, he or she releases a fine mist of water droplets containing thousands of the bacteria. A person(s) nearby the patient may inhale those water droplets and also the bacteria. These bacteria can then travel to that persons respiratory system and cause a new infection. Tuberculosis is not transmitted by contact with a persons clothing, bed linens, or dishes and cooking utensils. A fetus may become infected,