Lecture Notes: Infection Control, Transmission Precautions, and Immunity

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering infection control, isolation precautions, the chain of infection, and immunity concepts from the lecture.

Immunity

The state of being unable to contract or receive a specific infection or disease, such as through prior infection or vaccination.

Baracel

The name given in the transcript for the chickenpox immunization.

Shingles

The adult version of chickenpox that requires airborne precautions and poses a risk of crossing the blood-borne barrier to harm an unborn baby.

Clean gloves

Gloves supplied in a box of 100 that are unused but have not undergone an autoclave sterilization process.

Sterile gloves

Gloves packaged as a single pair that have been through an autoclave to eliminate all pathogens and must be kept within a sterile field.

Droplet precautions

Infection control measures for illnesses spread by coughing or sneezing—such as pertussis, influenza, and pneumonia—requiring a standard surgical paper mask.

Airborne precautions

Infection control measures required for diseases represented by MTV (Measles, TB, Varicella) as well as shingles, requiring a fit-tested N95 mask.

Direct contact transmission

The transfer of a pathogen directly from person to person, described as heartbeat to heartbeat.

Indirect contact transmission

The transfer of a pathogen from an inanimate object to a person.

Contact precautions

Infection control protocols that mandatorily require gloves and a gown to prevent transfer of pathogens like MRSA, C. Diff, and VRE.

Reverse isolation

Infection control procedures designed to protect an immunocompromised patient from germs carried by healthcare workers or visitors, requiring a gown, gloves, and mask.

Sweat

A body fluid made of $99\%$ water ($H_2O$) and electrolytes (sodium and potassium) released to regulate body temperature and maintain homeostasis, which does not harvest bacteria under normal settings.

Chain of infection

A six-part sequence consisting of the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Reservoir

The warm, moist environment—described as a party in the hot tub—where an infectious agent lives and grows.

Vector

A living organism, such as a mosquito, tick, or louse, that transmits an infectious agent.

Handwashing

The primary method used to cut or break the chain of infection between its links.

Communicable disease

An infectious disease that spreads easily from person to person with a quick or sudden onset, such as COVID-19 or the common cold.

VRE

A contact-isolated pathogen found in urine that is transferred via touch.