The word "infection" in a broad sense refers to the pathogenic effects of environmental factors. This phenomenon has two varieties: infection of the body and terrain. The article reveals the concept in all meanings.
Body infection
In the field of medicine, infection is the penetration into the body of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites that cause its defeat. Also for this phenomenon, the word "infection" is used. The infection itself is translated from Latin as "infection". The process of penetration into the human or animal organism of pathogens is called invasion.
Types of infections:
- generalized;
- local
- general;
- latent;
- focal.
The process of infection of the body during infection occurs through blood or food intake.
Contamination of the area
In this case, infection is the consequences of using nuclear, chemical or biological weapons in a particular area. Accidents at technogenic facilities, accompanied by emissions of hazardous substances, also lead to contamination of the area. Thus, there are three types of infection of the territory: radioactive, chemical and biological. Each of the species poses a huge threat to people's safety and requires emergency measures.
Radioactive contamination
This type of infection is usually the result of an atomic bomb explosion or catastrophe at a civilian facility but operating with radioactive substances. The danger of radioactive contamination lies in the ionizing radiation generated by nuclear reactions. In the event of an accident or explosion, the level of radiation increases sharply. A radioactive cloud forms, which is carried by the wind and captures large areas. Radioactive fallout subsequently falls from the cloud. Water contamination occurs. The degree of contamination of the territory with radiation can remain at a dangerous level for decades after the disaster.
Radiation has a devastating effect on living organisms. Four zones of damage are distinguished depending on the strength of the explosion or the level of ionizing radiation in the territory. The degree of infection is measured in x-rays (P).
Zone A
This infection is considered moderate. It is characterized by radiation doses from 40 to 400 R. The area of infection is usually in the form of an ellipse. Even moderate doses of radiation can lead to a deterioration in the well-being of people who are in the zone of infection.
Symptoms of moderate radioactive contamination develop after a few hours and worsen over time. They include:
- decrease in the level of lymphocytes and platelets;
- weakened immunity;
- temporary infertility in men;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- decreased appetite;
- weakness, fatigue;
- hair loss.
When taking measures to maintain health and the absence of further infection, the symptoms disappear over time.
Zone B
The zone of severe infection, the level of radiation from 400 to 1,200 R. Even a few hours in the open area, exposed to infection, can lead to serious consequences for health and death. The first signs of the disease appear within half an hour after exposure.
Symptoms are the same as those with moderate infection of A, but appear in a more severe form. They include hemorrhages, infertility in women, susceptibility to infections due to a sharp decrease in immunity. When irradiated at 1,000 R, bone marrow dies.
Mortality under irradiation of 600 R is 90%. The cure period with a favorable outcome is about a year.
Zone B
A zone of dangerous infection, characterizing the level of radiation from 1,200 to 4,000 R. These doses are fatal to the body. Symptoms occur within 5-30 minutes after exposure.
There is a rapid loss of fluid by the body: vomiting, diarrhea, urination with blood, metabolic disorders. Delirium and coma come. A few days later, the patient dies.
Zone G
Extremely hazardous area. The radiation level of 4,000 R. One hundred percent mortality. Almost immediately, a person falls into a coma and then dies.
Actions in the conditions of infection
In case of radioactive contamination of the area, the first measure that is taken immediately is the notification of the population.
The tragedy at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant could have less devastating consequences if the inhabitants of Pripyat were immediately notified of the radioactive threat. Therefore, it is extremely important to convey to the population the danger of the situation and to report on precautionary measures.
The next step is the evacuation of people from infected areas.
Then measures are taken to neutralize the consequences of the accident or explosion.
Being in the zone of radioactive contamination, it is necessary to observe safety measures:
- Once directly in the area of the explosion, you need to hide behind any obstacle to protect against shock and light waves.
- It is necessary to spend as little time as possible outdoors. Types of radioactive radiation differ in penetration. If it is almost impossible to hide from gamma rays, then the level of alpha radiation is reduced by any obstacle, even air. The walls of buildings will contain the spread of radiation.
- In the room you need to close the windows, fill the gaps, hammer any holes through which radioactive radiation can penetrate.
- It is advisable to carry out wet cleaning daily, be sure to wear gloves.
- If you need to go out, you need to wear tight clothes. There should not be open areas of the body.
- It is recommended to take iodine (a few drops per glass of water). Otherwise, radioactive iodine is deposited in the thyroid gland.
Exclusion Zone
A polluted area becomes a restricted or exclusion zone. The population is evacuated from such territories, and free access for people to them is prohibited. The reason is that radiation retains its ionizing properties for many years. Staying in such areas carries the risk of radiation exposure to the body. For example, the restricted area of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was 30 kilometers. Today this territory is recognized as safe and open for extreme tourism.
Chemical infection
Chemical contamination of the area occurs when substances and compounds with high toxicity are released. Examples are mustard gas, phosgene, sarin, senic acid, adamsite and others. They have nerve-paralytic, asphyxiating, irritating and skin-boiling effects.
Infection occurs when substances get on the skin, mucous membranes, they penetrate the blood in the presence of open wounds, as well as through food and water. Compounds have high penetration and cause extensive damage.
As in the case of radioactive contamination, in the case of a chemical, immediate notification of the population and the conduct of evacuation measures are necessary.
Being in the danger zone requires the use of gas masks and respirators. If this is not possible, gauze or any cloth moistened with water will do. Then you immediately need to go to shelter and stay there.
When entering a closed room, you need to remove all the clothes that were on the person at the time of infection.
Leaving the infection zone, it is necessary to observe maximum precautions, protect the skin, mucous membranes and respiratory organs. It is forbidden to smoke in infected areas, drink water, eat food, touch infected objects.
People who leave the infection zone are subject to mandatory sanitation.
Biological contamination
This type of infection is caused by the use of biological weapons. The goal is the spread of microorganisms that cause epidemics and pandemics of serious infectious diseases: anthrax, plague, smallpox, typhoid, etc. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, through the digestive system, through blood and insect bites.
Actions in terms of biological infection are as follows:
- Immediate quarantine on the territory, prohibition of entry and exit;
- preventive measures - vaccinations, antibiotics, etc .;
- strict restriction of contacts;
- compliance with personal hygiene and cleanliness requirements;
- disinfection measures;
- protection of water and food;
- maintaining disease statistics.
When the focus of the disease is eliminated, the final measures are taken to disinfect the infection area.
As a result, we can draw the following conclusions:
- Infection is a dangerous effect on the body of external factors: microorganisms, radiation, chemical compounds.
- Infection of the terrain is radioactive, chemical, biological.
- Each type of infection is dangerous and requires immediate comprehensive measures.