What are the components of the Chain of Infection?

The Chain of Infection is a crucial concept in understanding how infectious diseases spread and how to prevent them. The correct choice identifies the specific components that constitute this chain: pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, modes of transport, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Each component plays a vital role in the transmission of infections:

• Pathogen: This refers to the infectious agent, such as bacteria or viruses, that causes disease.

• Reservoir: This is the natural habitat of the pathogen, which may be a human, an animal, or the environment, where the pathogen lives and multiplies.

• Portal of Exit: The way in which the pathogen leaves the reservoir. This could be through respiratory secretions, blood, bodily fluids, etc.

• Modes of Transport: This describes how the pathogen spreads from one host to another, which can include direct contact, airborne transmission, vector-borne transmission, and more.

• Portal of Entry: The route through which the pathogen enters a susceptible host, which could be through mucous membranes, broken skin, or the respiratory tract.

• Susceptible Host: A person who can potentially become infected due to factors such as a weakened immune system or