Infection control vocab

antibiotic

medication that kills bacteria

asepsis

being free from pathogenic micro-organisms

autoclave

container used for steam sterilization

bacterium

single-cell micro-organism that reproduces rapidly and causes many infections

bloodborne pathogen standard

OSHA standard that identifies sharps as any item that can easily break skin and therefore potentially transmit disease

disinfection

cleaning something (work area, equipment) using chemicals that kill pathogens but not their spores

Edema

excessive buildup of fluids in body tissues

erythema

reddening of the skin

fomite

any nonliving object (catheters, tubing, hemostats) or substance capable of carrying infectious diseases

fungus

micro-organism that grows in or on animals, plants, humans, and food, including yeasts and molds

health care associated infection (HAI)

infection acquired in healthcare setting

hepatitis B virus (HBV)

Liver infection caused by the hepatitus B virus, which is transmitted by blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from an infected person

herpes simplix

virus that causes blisters around the mouth and lips (cold sores) or genital areas

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

retrovirus that invades and inactivates helper T cells of the immune system and causes AIDS and AIDS-related complex

immunocompromised

having an impaired immune response, usually result of a disease, medication therapy, or surgery

measles

virus that causes fever, cough, runny nose, blotchy rash, and tiny white spots inside the mouth

medical asepsis

reducing the number and transfer of pathogens as well as breaking the chain of infection; clean technique

meningitis

infection of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord

microbial

relating to a micro-organism, usually a pathogenic micro-organism

oral candidiasis

a fungal infection of the mouth

personal protective equipment (PPE)

protective clothing and equipment (gloves, mask, and goggles) designed to protect a worker from exposure to chemicals or infectious material

protozoon

single-cell parasite that replicates rapidly once inside a living host

rubella

virus that causes fever and a rash that causes serious harm to the fetus if a person develops this illness during pregnancy; German measles

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Documents containing information regarding chemicals in the work environment

sanitization

reducing the number of micro-organisms by removing devris with soap and water prior to disinfecting

scabies

itchy skin rash resulting from mites burrowing under the skin

sharps container

puncture-proof container designed to safely dispose of needles, scalpes, and other sharp disposable medical instruments

standard precautions

set of precautions that combines previous universal precautions with body substance isolation practices by requiring barriers for all body substances except sweat; created by the CDC to reduce the risk of transmission of blood borne and other pathogens in health care settings

sterilization

technique for destroying pathogens and their spores on inanimate objects, using heat, water, chemicals or gases

surgical asepsis

complete removal of micro-organisms and their spores from the surface of an object; sterile technique

tuberculosis

bacterial infection of the lungs that causes fever, couh, weight loss, chills, and night sweats

varicella

viral infection that causes a blister-like rash, itching, fatigue, and fever; chicken po x

vector

carrier (animals or insect) that can transmit disease

virus

micro-organism that causes infections and diseases