Infection and Transmission Lecture Notes

A set of flashcards covering vocabulary from introductory lecture notes on infection control, transmission routes, and immune responses.

Susceptible Host

A person whose immunity is decreased due to factors such as stress, decreased mobility, or comorbidities like autism, cancer, and diabetes.

Vector

An insect that carries pathogens, such as a deer tick that causes Lyme disease.

HAI

Health care associated infection; refers to infections acquired within the hospital system, with UTIs being one of the most common types.

Neutropenic

A condition where a patient has a really low white blood count, requiring PPE to protect the patient's portal of entry from the provider's portal of exit.

Lysozymes

Enzymes contained within mucous membranes that serve as a body defense against infection.

Neutrophils

Immune cells that engulf, ingest, and destroy fatty organisms.

Left Shift

An increased number of immature neutrophils, often identified through a white blood cell count with differential.

Histamine

An inflammatory enzyme that helps the body wall off damaged tissue areas to protect against further infection.

Disinfection

A process that removes and destroys some microorganisms but does not kill all spores.

Sterilization

A process that destroys all microorganisms and spores, often using an autoclave for medical equipment.

Standard Precautions

Infection control practices including hand hygiene and the use of gloves when there is risk of contact with body fluids, secretions, or moist membranes.

Cohorting

The practice of placing patients with the same disease process in the same room, such as two patients with MRSA.

AMR

Antimicrobial resistance; the process where pathogens adjust to antibiotics, making infections harder to treat over time.

Biofilm

A slinky buildup of microorganisms on the inside of medical devices, such as Foley catheters or IV lines, that attracts other pathogens.

Foley Catheter Change Interval

The manufacturer-recommended period of every $30$ days to replace a catheter due to biofilm buildup.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant staph aureus; a strain of staph that no longer responds to methicillin or penicillin-based medications.

Colonization

When a pathogen like MRSA is present in the body (often checked via nasal swab) without showing an active infection, but still posing a spread risk.

Culture and Sensitivity

A lab test used to identify a pathogen and determine which specific medication the strain is sensitive to.

Directly Observed Therapy (DOT)

A treatment method, often legally sanctioned for TB, where a health care worker must physically observe the patient taking their medication.

Septic Shock

A severe systemic condition characterized by insufficient cardiac output, hypovolemia, and a lack of oxygen to body tissues.

Bacteremia

The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, which can lead to sepsis or death.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

A laboratory test used as an indicator of infection or inflammation in the body.

Titer

A type of serologic testing used to check for the presence of antibodies, such as for Hepatitis B.

Acetaminophen

Commonly known as Tylenol; a medication used to manage fever by addressing the underlying cause.

External Cooling

A method to reduce body temperature that can be uncomfortable for patients during the chills phase of a fever but is often preferred during the break of a fever.