Med Science || Infection Control

Microorganism (Microbe)

A tiny living organism that can only be seen with a microscope

Pathogen

A microorganism that causes disease

Nonpathogen

A microorganism that does not cause disease

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that can live independently; some cause disease

Cocci

Round-shaped bacteria

Bacilli

Rod-shaped bacteria

Spirilla

Spiral-shaped bacteria

Virus

A nonliving microorganism that must live inside a host cell to survive and reproduce

Fungi

One-celled or multi-celled organisms (mold, mildew, yeast) that feed on organic matter

Protozoa

Single-celled animal-like organisms that often live in water

Rickettsiae

Parasitic microorganisms transmitted to humans through insect bites

Spore

A dormant form of bacteria with a hard outer shell that makes it difficult to kill

Chain of Infection

The six-step process that allows infection to spread

Infectious Agent

The microorganism that causes disease

Reservoir

The place where a pathogen lives and grows

Portal of Exit

The way a pathogen leaves the body

Mode of Transmission

How a pathogen travels from one person to another

Portal of Entry

The way a pathogen enters a new host

Susceptible Host

A person who is likely to get an infection

Asepsis

The state of being free from disease-causing microorganisms

Medical Asepsis

Clean technique used to reduce pathogens

Surgical Asepsis

Sterile technique used to eliminate all microorganisms, including spores

Sterilization

The process of destroying all microorganisms and spores

Disinfection

The process of destroying most pathogens (not spores)

Contamination

The presence of harmful microorganisms on a surface or person

Cross-Contamination

The transfer of pathogens from one surface or person to another

Standard Precautions

Infection control practices used for all patients

Transmission-Based Precautions

Extra precautions used for patients with specific infections

Contact Precautions

Precautions used for infections spread by direct touch

Droplet Precautions

Precautions used for infections spread by coughing or sneezing droplets

Airborne Precautions

Precautions used for infections that travel through the air

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment worn to protect against infection (gloves, masks, gowns)

Bloodborne Pathogen

A microorganism in blood that can cause disease

Universal Precautions

Treating all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious

Needlestick Injury

An accidental puncture wound caused by a contaminated needle

Toxin

a harmful substance produced naturally by living organisms (bacteria, plants, or animals) that can cause disease, illness, or damage to tissues

Infection

The invasion and multiplication of harmful germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites)

Communicable disease

Infectious illnesses that spread (person to person, animal to person, via contaminated surfaces/food) caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites)