Infection control guidelines

 immunosuppression (eg radiation therapy, steroids, chemotherapy)  presence of an underlying disease process (eg diabetes, cancer)  presence of devices that bypass the body’s normal defences (eg intravenous lines, urinary catheters, respiratory assistive devices)  age (i.e. the elderly and very young are at higher risk)  incomplete immunisation  functional impairment (eg dysphagia, immobility)  non-intact skin or mucous membranes (eg surgical wounds, burns)  other altered structural, biochemical and physiological responses