Felicia poked herself while disposing of a needle that she had just used to administer medication to a patient. She was later tested for infection from this needle stick and tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this scenario, the needle stick was what link in the chain of transmission?
A. susceptible host
B. infectious agent
C. portal of entry
D. reservoir
E. portal of exit
The portal of entry is the route or manner in which an infectious agent enters the body. The portal of entry provides access to susceptible tissues in which the infectious agent can multiply and cause disease. Also, infectious agents can use the same portal of entry as a portal of exit to enter a new host. In the scenario from the question, the needle stick was the portal of entry in the chain of transmission.
