Chapter 17-Rad-180

Diseases

any abnormal change that disrupts the normal function of the body and affects a person’s health 

Microorganisms

Are microscopic organism that can either be helpful or harmful. If harmful they can cause an infection in a host which can then lead to a disease. 

Infection

Once a microbe is either on the surface or inside the host it is invading, its presence and growth begin to affect the host. This process is essentially what causes an infection.

Pathogens

is a microorganism that causes diseases

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms with a simple inside structure.

Prokaryotes

doesn’t contain a nucleus and membrane bound organelles. 

Eukaryotes

Contains a nucleus

Viruses 

Simple cell organelles. Can’t survive on their own they need to live inside a host. 

Virion

one virus particle that invades a host, inserts their DNA or RNA, and starts producing new viruses.

Fungi

can either be macroscopic (mushrooms) or microscopic (yeasts and mold).D Considered a eukaryotic organism

Dimorphic

can grow in two forms either yeast or mold

protozoa

single-celled organisms that can move on their own. They are not plants or animals.

cyst

it is something a parasite forms to keep themselves alive while they find a new host to infect. 

Host

it is the living organism that provides an environment where microbes can grow and multiply

vector

a carrier also known as arthropod ex: a mosquito, that helps transfer an infective agent from one host to another

fomite

it is an object that can carry and spread harmful microorganisms which then can cause infection when touched

reservoir

it is an infected person or animal that doesn’t show any symptoms but can still spread the disease

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) 

this type of infection is aquired when a patient is receiving hospital treatment for another disease 

nosocomial

relates to the hospital and specifically refers to an infection a patient gets while staying in the hospital

iatrogenic

Comes from medical treatment done by a doctor. Specifically iatrogenic infection, which is infection caused by a medical procedure performed by a doctor

Blood-borne pathogens

they are microorganism that cause disease when present in human blood

Flora

a community of microorganisms that live in or on the human body. This can differ from person to person. 

chemotherapy

is the use of drugs to kill harmful microorganisms or cells in the body

vaccine 

a substance that helps the body develop immunity

immunity

resistance to a disease

asepsis

being free from harmful microorganisms

surgical asepsis 

a sterile technique which involves keeping everything clean before, during, and after surgery to stop microorganisms from contaminating the area star

sterilization

complete elimination of all living microbes ex: physical methods or chemical methods

medical asepsis

the practice of decreasing infectious agents to help prevent infection. However, it doesn’t destroy them entirely. 

disinfectants

are chemicals used to clean inanimate surfaces to help prevent infection 

standrad precautions

are infection control measures to help protect patients and healthcare workers from infectious agents. They include body fluid precautions and body substance isolation