Communicable Diseases and Infection Control Measures

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering communicable disease biology, pathogen classification, mechanisms of transmission, the chain of infection, and infection control precautions in health care settings.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Disease-producing microbes transmitted through blood and other body fluids, including semen, vomitus, saliva, urine, feces, sweat, cerebrospinal fluid, and breast milk.

Hepatitis

An inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection, chemicals, drugs, or alcohol consumption, which exists in five distinct types: A, B, C, D, and E.

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)

A virus transmitted via the oral–fecal route through contaminated food or water, unclean hygiene practices, or infected shellfish.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

An acute bloodborne virus transmitted via blood transfusions, needlestick injuries, unprotected sex, or across the placenta, for which an OSHA-recommended vaccine is available.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

A chronic bloodborne virus causing end-stage cirrhosis and liver failure that serves as the leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States and lacks an available vaccine.

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)

A virus that spreads through the oral–fecal route, predominantly occurs in regions with limited sanitation infrastructure, and currently has no vaccine.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

A bloodborne pathogen that invades, multiplies within, and destroys T cells, leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

T Cells

Specialized white blood cells (leukocytes) that either kill virus-infected cells or produce substances assisting the immune system, which are targeted and killed by HIV.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

Federal standards requiring employers to provide employee training, personal protective equipment, free hepatitis B vaccinations, and written exposure control protocols.

Exposure Control Plan

A written, accessible facility document stating mandatory procedures to take when an employee is exposed to blood or other body fluids on the job.

Airborne Pathogens

Microbes spread through the air when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, responsible for infections such as measles, chickenpox, and tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB)

A bacterial infection spread by airborne droplets from an infected individual's sputum that primarily damages the lungs, kidneys, or bones.

Normal (Resident) Flora

Harmless microorganisms naturally living on or inside the human body that are essential for healthy physiological living.

Pathogen

A disease-producing microbe or microorganism capable of causing illness in a host.

Opportunistic Microbes

Microbes considered normal flora in one part of the body that cause illness when introduced to another, such as Escherichia coli entering the urinary bladder.

Classification of Microbes

The taxonomic categorization of microscopic living things into bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites (which comprise helminths and protozoa).

Bacterial Shapes

The morphological classification of bacteria into round spheres (cocci), rods (bacilli), and spiral or curved forms (spirilla).

Bacterial Colony Arrangements

Colonial structural patterns indicated by prefixes: diplo- for pairs, strepto- for chains, and staphylo- for grape-like clusters.

Aerobic Bacteria

Bacteria that require the presence of oxygen to survive and reproduce.

Anaerobic Bacteria

Bacteria that perish in the presence of oxygen.

Endospore

A protective shell formed by certain bacteria to enter an inactive state, allowing them to resist standard antimicrobial eradication methods.

Viruses

The smallest microbes, visible only using an electron microscope, causing illnesses including the common cold, influenza, chickenpox, and COVID-19.

Fungi

A group of plant-like organisms characterized by specific cell wall compositions, responsible for conditions such as ringworm, athlete's foot, and thrush.

Parasites

Organisms that depend on a host for food and protection, comprising helminths (such as tapeworms and pinworms) and protozoa (such as those causing malaria).

Antibodies

Specialized defensive proteins generated by the immune system following exposure to a microbe or vaccine to neutralize specific pathogens.

Multidrug-Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Bacterial strains that have developed resistance to one or more antibiotic classes, including MRSA and VRE.

Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

An opportunistic bacterium that frequently proliferates after broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and serves as a major cause of health care-associated diarrhea.

Chain of Infection

The cyclical six-part sequence required for communicable disease transmission: pathogen, reservoir, portal of exit, method of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Breaking the Chain of Infection

The practice of interrupting disease transmission by removing or neutralizing at least one of the six essential links in the chain of infection.

Health Care–Associated Infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired by patients, residents, or providers during medical care delivery, also known as nosocomial infections.

Medical Asepsis

Infection control procedures aimed at physically removing or killing pathogens using soap, water, antiseptics, disinfectants, or heat.

Sanitization

Basic hygienic practices, including handwashing and cleaning surfaces with soap and water, designed to physically remove microbes.

Antisepsis

The application of chemical agents safe for skin and living tissues, such as rubbing alcohol or iodine, to kill or inhibit microbial growth.

Disinfection

The application of harsh chemical agents to kill pathogens on inanimate medical objects, such as bedpans and bedside tables.

Sterilization

The absolute destruction of all microbial life using chemical soaks or autoclaves on items entering sterile body compartments; boiling is ineffective.

Transient Flora

Microbes temporarily picked up on the skin's surface during normal day-to-day contact that are removed via proper hand hygiene.

Surgical Asepsis

Strict sterile protocols implemented during invasive interventions that enter the body, such as catheterization, injections, or surgical operations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Physical barrier apparel and equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, and protective eyewear, used to shield the wearer from pathogens.

PPE Donning Sequence

The standardized four-step order for applying barrier equipment: gown first, followed by mask, protective eyewear, and gloves.

PPE Doffing Sequence

The standardized four-step order for safely removing contaminated barrier gear: gloves first, followed by eyewear, gown, and mask.

Standard Precautions

Infection control guidelines treating all human blood and bodily fluids as infectious, applied uniformly to every patient regardless of diagnosis.

Transmission-Based Precautions

Secondary precautions added to standard precautions when a patient is known or suspected to carry pathogens transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes.

Airborne Infection Isolation Room (AIIR)

A private patient room equipped with specialized negative pressure ventilation and filtration systems designed to contain airborne microbes.

Droplet Precautions

Transmission precautions requiring standard masks and eye protection when providing care within 3 feet of individuals with respiratory droplet infections.

Contact Precautions

Transmission-based safeguards requiring gown and glove use to prevent microbial transmission via direct skin touch or contaminated fomites.