Question

A blanket from a child with chickenpox is likely to be contaminated with the virus that causes chickenpox (Varicella-zoster virus). What is the blanket called? a. fomite b. host c. pathogen d. vector

Short answer

The blanket is called a 'fomite'.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Terminology

First, understand the terminology used in the question. A 'fomite' refers to any inanimate object that can carry infectious agents (like viruses or bacteria) and transfer them from one individual to another. A 'host' is an organism that harbors a virus or parasite. A 'pathogen' is a bacteria, virus, or other microorganisms that can cause disease. A 'vector' refers to an organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another.

Identify the Function of the Blanket

Next, identify the role the blanket is playing in the context of chickenpox (Varicella-zoster virus) contamination. The blanket itself is not a living organism; rather, it is an inanimate object that may carry the virus from the infected child to another individual if it is not properly sanitized.

Choose the Correct Term

Based on the information provided in the previous steps, determine which term best describes the blanket. Since the blanket is an inanimate object that may transfer the virus, the correct term to describe the blanket is 'fomite'.

Key concepts

Varicella-zoster virus

The Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the cause of two distinct viral diseases: chickenpox (varicella) in children and shingles (zoster) in adults. Initially, VZV causes an itchy, blister-like rash and mild fever in children, a disease most have known as chickenpox. Chickenpox is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with the rash or via respiratory droplets from an infected person.

Once chickenpox resolves, the virus does not truly leave the body. Instead, it lies dormant in nerve tissue and can reactivate later in life, causing shingles, a painful rash with blisters that usually appears on one side of the body. Understanding the nature of VZV is critical in recognizing the ways in which it can be transmitted and the necessary precautions to prevent its spread.

Pathogen transmission

Pathogen transmission involves the spread of infectious agents, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, from an infected individual or reservoir to a new host. Transmission can occur in various ways, including direct contact, indirect contact through a contaminated inanimate object (fomite), droplet spread, airborne transmission, vector-borne spread, and via contaminated food or water.

Direct contact includes person-to-person spread like touching, kissing, or sexual contact. Indirect contact, however, involves a fomite, which is the role the blanket plays in the context of VZV. Droplets from a cough or sneeze can transmit disease when they come into direct contact with other individuals’ mucous membranes. Airborne transmission involves infectious particles that can remain in the air for long periods and infect individuals who inhale them. Vector-borne diseases are transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks. Understanding these pathways is fundamental in implementing control measures against infectious diseases.

Infectious agents

Infectious agents are organisms capable of causing disease in a host. They include an array of pathogens such as viruses (like the Varicella-zoster virus), bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These agents have unique characteristics and modes of reproduction, leading to distinctive ways of invading and causing illness in susceptible individuals.

When it comes to an infection such as chickenpox, the virus is capable of surviving outside of the human body for some time, which allows it to be transmitted via fomites. Education in hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing and the proper sanitization of objects and surfaces, plays a vital role in breaking the chain of infection. Vaccination is also a key tool in preventing the spread of infections like the Varicella-zoster virus, by inducing immunity and thereby reducing the overall occurrence of the disease.