In the chain of infection, which link is broken by wearing gloves to prevent disease spread?

Wearing gloves serves primarily to interrupt the mode of transportation in the chain of infection. The mode of transmission refers to how infectious agents move from one host to another, which can include direct contact or through surfaces. By donning gloves, healthcare providers create a barrier that prevents pathogens from being transmitted from an infected person’s bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces to themselves or to other patients. This protective measure effectively reduces the risk of infection transmission during tasks such as patient care or handling potentially contaminated materials.

Other links in the chain, such as the infectious agent itself, the portal of entry into a new host, and the host, are not directly influenced by the wearing of gloves. For example, gloves do not eliminate the presence of the infectious agent or change how a pathogen enters a new host's body – they specifically target the transmission aspect. Thus, using gloves is a crucial practice in infection control aimed at breaking the cycle of disease spread.