Infection & Control Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions extracted directly from the Infection & Control lecture notes.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

A federal agency that regulates and enforces standards for workplace safety and health.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

A 16-category document created to replace the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A federal agency that registers and regulates disinfectants used in salons.

Laws (statutes)

Guidelines established by state and federal governments that determine the scope of practice and establish guidelines for regulatory agencies like the EPA.

Rules (regulations)

Specific requirements created by regulatory agencies that determine how laws will be applied.

Infection control

The methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms.

Bacteria

Minute, one-celled microorganisms that can exist almost anywhere.

Nonpathogenic

Type of bacteria that is helpful or harmless.

Pathogenic

Type of bacteria that is harmful and disease-producing.

Motility

The term used to describe self-movement in bacteria.

Binary fission

The division of an active bacterial cell into two new cells, which occurs after taking 20 to 60 minutes to reach full growth.

Inflammation

A condition in which the body reacts to injury, irritation, or infection, characterized by redness, heat, pain, and swelling.

Pus

A fluid byproduct of the infectious process that contains white blood cells, dead cells, and bacteria.

Viruses

Parasitic submicroscopic particles that infect cells of biological organisms and are capable of taking over the host cell's reproductive function.

Biofilms

Colonies of microorganisms that adhere to environmental surfaces and the human body, secreting a sticky, protective coating that cements them together.

Blood-borne pathogens

Disease-causing microorganisms that are carried in the body by blood or body fluids, such as hepatitis and HIV.

Hepatitis

A blood-borne virus that causes disease and can damage the liver.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), breaking down the body's immune system.

Fungi

Single-cell organisms that grow in irregular masses, which include molds, mildews, and yeasts.

Folliculitis barbae

An inflammation of hair follicles caused by a bacterial infection (often Staphylococcus aureus), also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, barbers itch, or hot tub folliculitis.

Tinea barbae

Superficial fungal infection caused by a variety of dermatophytes that commonly affects the skin in the bearded areas of the face and neck or around the scalp.

Tinea capitis

Fungal infection of the scalp characterized by red papules, or spots, at the opening of hair follicles.

Tinea pedis

Ringworm fungus of the foot.

Parasites

Organisms that grow, feed, and shelter on or in other living organisms and must have a host to survive.

Pediculosis capitis

Head lice.

Scabies

A contagious skin disease caused by the itch mite.

Immunity

The ability of the body to fight off or resist infections and diseases and to destroy bacteria that have entered the body.

Natural immunity

An inborn ability to fight off or resist infections and diseases.

Acquired immunity

Immunity that the body develops after overcoming a disease or through inoculation.

Sterilization

The process that destroys all microbial life.

Decontamination

The removal of blood and all other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface, or the removal of visible debris or residue.

Cleaning

The removal of all visible dirt and debris from tools, implements, and equipment by washing with liquid soap and warm water and scrubbing with a clean, disinfected nail brush.

Disinfection

A process that eliminates most, but not necessarily all, microorganisms on nonporous surfaces.

Complete immersion

The condition where the entire implement must be completely submerged in the disinfectant solution.

Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)

Disinfectants that may contain anti-rust ingredients and usually disinfect items in 10 minutes.

Phenolic disinfectants

Powerful disinfectants that can be harmful to the environment, damage rubber and plastic, cause metals to rust, and appear somewhat cloudy.

Chelating soaps

Soaps or detergents that break down stubborn films and remove residue of pedicure products such as scrubs, salts, and masks.

Antiseptics

Chemical germicides formulated for use on skin that are registered and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Specialized clothing or equipment worn by an employee for protection against a hazard, such as gloves, masks, and eyewear.

Exposure incident

Contact with blood, body fluid, non-intact skin, or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's duties.