Infection Prevention and Control - Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to infection prevention and control based on the provided notes.

Infection

Invasion of a susceptible host by pathogens or microorganisms, which may result in disease.

Disease

A condition that results when infection causes illness, which can be minor or major.

Pathogen (infectious agent)

A microorganism capable of causing disease in a host.

Colonization

Presence of growth of microorganisms within a host without tissue invasion or damage.

Infectious disease

A disease that can be transmitted directly from one person to another; also called a communicable disease.

Communicable disease

An infectious disease that can be transmitted directly from one person to another.

Symptomatic infection

Infection accompanied by clinical signs and symptoms.

Asymptomatic infection

Infection without clinical signs or symptoms.

Chain of infection

Sequence of elements required for infection to spread: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, susceptible host.

Pathogen (infectious agent)

A microorganism capable of causing disease in a host.

Reservoir

Source where a pathogen can grow and multiply.

Portal of exit

Route by which a pathogen leaves its reservoir.

Direct contact transmission

Transmission through direct physical contact between people or via the healthcare provider's hands.

Indirect contact transmission

Transmission via inanimate objects or contaminated surfaces (fomites).

Droplet transmission

Transmission by droplets from coughing or sneezing that travel short distances (about 6 feet).

Airborne transmission

Transmission by droplet nuclei suspended in air capable of traveling farther than droplets.

Vehicle transmission

Transmission via contaminated items such as water, drugs, blood, food, or sharps.

Vector transmission

Transmission via external mechanical transfer (e.g., flies) or internal vectors like mosquitoes or ticks.

Portal of entry

Route by which a pathogen enters a host (e.g., mucous membranes, broken skin).

Susceptible host

A person at risk of infection due to lowered resistance or risk factors.

Incubation period

Interval between pathogen entry and appearance of the first symptoms (e.g., chickenpox ~14–16 days).

Prodromal stage

Period with non-specific signs (e.g., fatigue, low-grade fever) before specific illness.

Illness stage

Period when specific signs and symptoms are present.

Convalescent stage

Recovery period; acute symptoms disappear; length depends on severity and host resistance.

Normal flora

Microorganisms normally present in the body that help defend against pathogens.

Inflammation

Vascular and cellular responses with inflammatory exudate and tissue repair.

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI)

Infection that results from the delivery of services in a healthcare facility, often related to invasive procedures.

Iatrogenic infection

Infection that results from a medical procedure.

Exogenous infection

Infection caused by microorganisms originating outside the individual.

Endogenous infection

Infection caused by alteration of the patient's normal flora, leading to overgrowth (e.g., C. difficile) after antibiotic use.

C. difficile infection

Infection caused by C. difficile, often following antibiotic therapy; an endogenous example.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)

Microorganisms resistant to multiple antibiotics, increasing infection risk and treatment difficulty.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)

Urinary tract infection arising from an indwelling urinary catheter; a common invasive procedure.

Hand hygiene

Critical practice to prevent transmission by cleaning hands before and after patient contact.

Infection prevention and control

Systematic practices and measures used to prevent and control infections in healthcare settings.