lesson 3- Infectious Diseases and Control

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the Infectious Diseases and Control lecture notes.

Pathogenic

Disease-causing microorganisms.

Nondisease

Nonpathogenic microorganisms.

Communicable disease

An infectious disease transmitted to a person by direct or indirect contact or airborne transmission (e.g., influenza).

Blood-borne pathogens (BBPs)

Microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease (e.g., HBV, HCV, HIV, etc.).

Hepatitis A

A liver-disease–causing virus; listed among BBPs.

Hepatitis B

HBV; a major BBP of concern in healthcare settings.

Hepatitis C

HCV; a blood-borne pathogen of concern.

Hepatitis D

HDV; requires HBV coinfection; BBP.

Hepatitis E

HEV; a blood-borne pathogen of concern.

HIV (AIDS)

Human immunodeficiency virus; attacks the immune system.

Syphilis

Sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum; listed as a BBP.

Malaria

Parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes; BBP.

HTLV I/II

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II.

Ebola virus

Ebola; highly virulent virus associated with hemorrhagic fever.

Zika virus

Mosquito-borne virus linked to birth defects; BBP.

Biohazard symbol

Universal sign indicating biological hazards.

Health Care-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired by patients after admission to a health care facility.

Nosocomial infection

Another term for hospital-acquired infection (HAI).

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. agency researching infection control and prevention.

NIOSH

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; provides workplace safety guidance.

Antibiotic-resistant microorganisms

Microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, often due to overuse or misuse.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; resistant to many antibiotics; can cause severe infections.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile)

Bacteria causing colitis, often linked to antibiotic use.

Immunity

The body's ability to resist infection.

Antibiotics

Drugs used to treat bacterial infections; various classes and routes.

Penicillin allergy

Allergic reaction to penicillin affecting antibiotic choices.

Aseptic techniques

Procedures to prevent contamination of sterile fields.

Hand hygiene

Washing hands or using alcohol-based hand rubs to reduce microbes.

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection used to protect personnel.

Barrier garments

Gowns, aprons or similar clothing to prevent contamination.

Standard precautions

Guidelines to reduce transmission of all infectious agents; applies to blood and all body fluids.

Universal precautions

Principles to prevent transmission from all sources, often overlapping with standard precautions.

Specimen handling safety

OSHA-guided safety measures for handling specimens; includes universal precautions.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration; U.S. Department of Labor agency.

Exposure control

Measures taken after exposure incident (decontaminate site, flush mucous membranes, report, medical evaluation).

Needlestick

Injury from a needle that may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens.

Mucous membrane exposure

Exposure of eyes, nose, or mouth to infectious materials.

Occupational health

Medical oversight within an organization to minimize infection risk; pre-employment screening.

Pre-employment screening

Testing for diseases before hire (e.g., measles, mumps, TB, hepatitis, syphilis, skin diseases).

Measles

Viral disease included in pre-employment screening.

Mumps

Viral disease included in pre-employment screening.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Infectious lung disease; included in pre-employment screening.

Hepatitis (general screening)

Screening for hepatitis in employment contexts (types May be A–E).

Skin diseases

Skin conditions that may be screened for in employment health checks.

Pathogen

Microorganisms that cause infectious disease (bacteria, fungi, viruses, prions, protozoa, worms).

Reservoir

Inanimate objects or people where pathogens survive or multiply.

Portal of Exit

How a pathogen leaves the host (via body fluids, wound debris, droplets).

Mode of transmission

Direct contact, air, medical instruments, other objects, vectors.

Portal of Entry

Entrance pathway for a pathogen into a susceptible host (e.g., mouth, nose).

Susceptible host

Individual with risk factors such as age, health status, or immune suppression.

Breaking the chain

Interrupting transmission through hand hygiene, asepsis, isolation, sterilization, immunization, nutrition, etc.

Sterilization

Process that destroys all microorganisms on an object.

Autoclave

Sterilization using steam under pressure.

Chemical sterilization (gas/vapor)

Sterilization using chemical vapors (e.g., formaldehyde).

Dry heat

Sterilization using dry heat.

Airborne precautions

Measures to prevent spread of airborne pathogens; often requires N95 mask.

Droplet precautions

Measures to prevent transmission via large droplets from coughing/sneezing.

Contact precautions

Measures to prevent transmission through direct or indirect contact.

N95 mask

Particulate respirator providing high-level filtration; requires fit testing.

Surgical mask

Mask used to protect against droplets; standard in many settings.

Nursery/neonatal infection control

Infection control practices in neonatal units to protect newborns.

Infection control for compromised patients

Enhanced precautions for patients with high infection risk (e.g., burn, ICU).

Disinfectants

Chemicals used to remove or kill pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces or instruments.

Antiseptic

Chemicals that inhibit growth of microorganisms and may be used on skin.

Glove removal steps

Procedure to remove gloves safely (inner-to-outer turning) to avoid contamination.