Key Terms #2

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

late stages of HIV infection; characterized by secondary infections

Bacteria

single-celled, microscopic pathogens that can cause infection

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that focuses on disease outbreaks and prevention in the United States of America

Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)

bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea and colitis; spread by spores in feces that are difficult to kill

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

a government agency with 11 divisions that oversee many programs focused on improving the health of Americans

Endogenous

originating from within the body

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

a government agency that recommends practices for maintaining the environment and determines appropriate chemicals for reducing the spread of infection in healthcare facilities while minimizing environmental risks

Exogenous

originating from outside the body

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

a government agency that regulates products in the food and drug industries and develops nutrition facts labels to help consumers make informed food choices

Fungi

any of a group of spore-producing parasitic organisms feeding on organic matter, including molds, yeast, and mushrooms

Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI)

an infection that is not present when a patient is admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility but develops 48 hours or more after admission

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

a federal law that makes it easier to obtain healthcare coverage and protects personal health information

Hepatitis B

chronic, potentially life-threatening form of hepatitis that is transmitted by blood or other bodily fluids, usually during sexual contact or during childbirth

Hepatitis C

chronic hepatitis transmitted by blood or other bodily fluids, usually through blood transfusion or through the use of illegal drug needles; potentially life-threatening

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

virus that infects the cells of the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight disease; transmitted by blood exposure, sexual contact, sharing needles, or from an infected mother to infant

Infectious agent

a pathogen that can cause infection

Mode of Transmission

the way in which a pathogen moves from its reservoir to a new host

MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus):

a type of multi-drug resistant organism which is unaffected by most infection-battling drugs, particularly resistant to penicillin-related drugs

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

a division of the HHS that conducts research and provides information toward improving public health through 27 different agencies

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS):

state agency that oversees the health and wellbeing of the residents of North Carolina

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

a government agency that creates regulations to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths

Opportunistic

diseases that take advantage of already weakened immune systems

Pathogen

a disease-causing microorganism

Portal of Entry

a natural body opening or break in the skin that provides a way for pathogens to enter the body

Portal of Exit:

a natural body opening or break in the skin that provides a way for pathogens to leave the body

Protozoa

the single-celled microscopic animals, larger than viruses

Reservoir

a place where the pathogen can live, such as the human body, animals, food, or fomites

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

document found in the facility safety plan; contains information about the potential hazards of chemical products including proper use, storage, handling, and emergency procedures; also called a material safety data sheet (MSDS)

Susceptible host

anyone who can contract a disease

Tuberculosis

a very serious bacterial infection that most commonly affects the lungs and, before the development of antibiotics, was generally fatal

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus (VRE)

a type of multi-drug resistant organism which is unaffected by most infection-battling drugs, particularly resistant to erythromycin-related drugs

Virus

an infectious agent of small size and simple composition that can multiply only in living cells of animals, plants, or bacteria

World Health Organization (WHO):

an agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health