Infection Control

Bacteria

Single-celled prokaryotic microorganisms that lack a nucleus and can inhabit diverse environments.

Reservoir

A habitat, host, or body where a pathogen or substance naturally resides and multiplies

nonpathogens

Microorganisms that do not cause disease.

sterile

Free from all living microorganisms and spores

asepsis

State of being free from disease-causing microorganisms.

viruses

only reproduce when inside the host, smallest, blood/body secretion

chain of infection

a six-step model that explains how infectious diseases spread

helminths

multicellular parasites

fungi

plant like survives on dead organic matter, yeast or mold

clean

not contaminated

contact precautions

are specialized infection control interventions designed to stop the spread of pathogens that travel via direct or indirect touch.

rickettsia

parasites, cannot survive or reproduce outside of a living host

opportunistic

is an illness caused by a pathogen that takes advantage of an "opportunity" that is not normally available

aerobic

process with oxygen

portal of exit

path or mechanism by which a pathogen leaves its reservoir (the infected host or environment) to travel toward a new host.

airborne precautions

more than 3 feet, N95 mask

personal precautions

the individual actions, hygiene habits, and self-care strategies a person takes to protect themselves and others from getting sick

transmission based isolation precautions

specialized infection control measures used in healthcare settings for patients known or suspected to be infected with highly contagious pathogens.

disinfection

a chemical or physical process that kills or inactivates nearly 100% of pathogenic microorganisms (like viruses, bacteria, and fungi) on inanimate objects and surfaces.

vectors

living organisms that transmit infectious pathogens from one host (animal or human) to another

Hepatitis B

It is a highly contagious viral pathogen that can lead to both acute (short-term) illness and chronic (long-term) lifelong liver disease, increasing the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

causative agent

the specific biological organism or entity that directly causes a disease.

autoclave

a heated pressure vessel that uses high-pressure saturated steam to sterilize equipment, instruments, and biohazardous waste

sterilization

any physical or chemical process that completely destroys or eliminates all forms of microbial life

protection isolation

a set of medical practices used to protect patients with severely weakened immune systems from catching infections

mode of transmission

the path or method by which an infectious agent moves from a reservoir or source to a new host

communicable disease

illnesses that spread from one person, animal, or surface to another caused by pathogens

microorganism

a living organism that is too small to see with the naked eye

protozoa

single-celled eukaryotic microorganisms that lack cell walls and typically display animal-like behaviors such as motility and predation

droplet precautions

less than 3 feet infection control measures used to prevent the spread of diseases transmitted through large respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, talking, or procedures

anaerobic

involves no oxygen present

susceptible host

an individual who lacks resistance or immunity to a pathogen and is therefore vulnerable to developing an infection

pathogen

any microorganism or agent that can produce disease in a hos

nosocomial

an infection that is caught while a person is getting medical care inside a hospital or other healthcare facility

chemical disinfection

the process of applying chemical agents to inanimate objects and surfaces to kill or deactivate harmful microorganisms

AIDS

most advanced and severe stage of infection caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV

contaminated

something is made impure, dirty, or dangerous by adding unwanted or harmful substances

standard precautions

minimum infection prevention practices used at all times for all patients in healthcare settings, regardless of their infection status

antisepsis

the practice of using chemical agents on living tissue, such as skin or wounds, to inhibit or destroy microorganisms and prevent infection

portal of entry

the specific route or body site that a pathogen uses to enter and infect a new host