Chapter 25: Asepsis and Infection Control

Host

A living being where an infectious, parasitic, or pathogenic agent resides and receives sustenance.

Antimicrobials

Drugs that treat infections by killing or slowing the growth of microbes causing infection.

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, responsible for investigating, preventing, and controlling disease.

Infection

Disease state that results from the presence of pathogens in or on the body.

Infectious agent

Microorganisms like bacteria that can cause disease, categorized by shape (cocci, bacilli, spirochetes) and gram stain (positive or negative).

Gram positive

Bacteria with thick cell walls that retain violet stain.

Gram negative

Bacteria with complex cell walls that can be decolorized by alcohol.

Aerobic

Organisms that need oxygen to live and grow.

Anaerobic

Organisms that do not need oxygen.

Reservoir

Natural habitat of organisms where they can grow and multiply.

Portal of exit

Point of escape for an organism from its reservoir.

Means of transmission

Ways in which an infectious agent is transmitted from its reservoir.

Direct Contact

Transmission that requires close proximity between a host and an infected person or carrier.

Indirect Contact

Involves personal contact with a vector or inanimate object.

Vector

A creature that transmits an infectious agent to humans.

Fomite

An inanimate object that can carry infectious agents.

Portal of entry

Point at which organisms enter a new host.

Susceptible host

A host that allows microorganisms to survive by providing shelter and nourishment.

Viruses

The smallest microorganisms, visible only through a microscope.

Antivirals

Drugs that shorten the course of viral illnesses but do not cure.

Fungi

Plant-like organisms, such as molds and yeasts, that may be resistant to treatment.

Parasites

Organisms that live on or in a host and rely on it for nourishment.

Endemic

A disease that occurs with predictability in a specific region or population.

Pandemic

Global outbreaks of a novel virus that did not have an immunization or treatment.

Opportunist

A harmless organism that can cause infection under certain conditions.

Colonization

Infection is present once the person exhibits specific manifestations of the disease.

Incubation period

Interval between pathogen invasion and appearance of symptoms.

Prodromal stage

The most infectious stage with vague early signs and symptoms.

Full stage of Illness

Characterized by specific signs and symptoms of infection.

Convalescent period

The recovery phase after infection.

Inflammatory response

Protective mechanisms that help neutralize or eliminate the offending agent.

Immune response

Collective reaction of the immune system to an invading organism.

Antigen

Foreign material invading the organism.

Antibody

Component of the overall immune response.

Healthcare associated infections

Infections that originate in a hospital setting.

Exogenous

Causative organisms acquired from other people.

Endogenous

Causative organisms that come from microbial life within the host.

Iatrogenic

Infections that result from treatment or diagnostic procedures.