Glossary - Infection Control

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immunity that body develops after it overcomes a disease, or through inoculation (vaccination)

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acquired immunity

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disease having a rapid onset, severe symptoms, and a short course or duration

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acute disease

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acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; a disease caused by the HIV virus that breaks down body's immune system

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AIDS

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reaction due to extreme sensitivity to certain foods, chemicals, or other normally harmless substances

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allergy

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chemical agents that may kill, retard, or prevent growth of bacteria; not classified as disinfectants

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antiseptics

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showing no symptoms or signs of infection

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asymptomatic

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short, rod-shaped bacteria; the most common bacteria; produce diseases such as tetanus (lockjaw), typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and diphtheria

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bacilli (singular: bacillus)

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one-celled microorganisms with both plant and animal characteristics; some are harmful, some harmless

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bacteria, microbes, or germs

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capable of destroying bacteria

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bactericidal

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science that deals with study of microorganisms called bacteria

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bacteriology

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disease-causing bacteria or viruses that are carried through body in blood or body fluids

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bloodborne pathogens

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disease long duration, usually mild but recurring

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chronic disease

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slender, hair-like extensions that permit locomotion in certain bacteria; whip-like motion moves them in liquid

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cilia

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round-shaped bacteria that appear singly (alone) or in groups

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cocci

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disease that exists at birth

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congenital disease

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disease that is communicable or transmittable by contact

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contagious disease

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substances that can cause contamination

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contaminants

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any condition or disease that makes an indicated treatment or medication inadvisable

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contraindication

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removal or pathogens or other substances from tools and surfaces

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decontamination

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determination of the nature of a disease from its signs and symptoms

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diagnosis

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spherical bacteria that grow in pairs and cause diseases such as pneumonia

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diplococci

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abnormal condition of all or part of the body, organ, or mind that makes it incapable of carrying on normal function

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disease

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chemical agents used to destroy most bacteria and some viruses and to disinfect implements and surfaces

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disinfectants

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second highest level of decontamination, nearly as effective as sterilization but does not kill bacterial spores; used on hard, nonporous surfaces

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disinfection

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effectiveness

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efficacy

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appearance of a disease that simultaneously attacks a large number of persons living in a particular locality

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epidemic

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study of cause of diseases and their modes of operation

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etiology

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slender, hair-like extensions that permit locomotion in certain bacteria; their whip-like motion moves bacteria in liquid

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flagella (singular: flagellum)

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vegetable (plant) parasites, including moulds, mildews, and yeasts

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fungi (singular: fungus)

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capable of destroying fungi

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fungicidal

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infection that results when bloodstream carries bacteria or viruses and their toxins (poisons) to all parts of body

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general infection

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disease marked by inflammation of liver and caused by bloodborne virus

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hepatitis

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human immunodeficiency virus; virus that causes AIDS

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HIV

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ability of body to destroy any bacteria that have gained entrance to body and to resist infection in general

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immunity

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invasion of body tissues by disease-causing bacteria; having evidence of pus

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infection

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communicable by infection from one person to another person or from one infected body part to another

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infectious

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disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms or viruses that are easily spread

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infectious disease

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condition of some part of the body as a protective response to injury, irritation, or infection, characterized by redness, heat, pain, and swelling

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inflammation

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infection that is confined to a particular part of the body and is indicated by a lesion containing pus

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local infection

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science that deals with microorganisms and their effects on other forms of life

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microbiology

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microscopic plant or animal cell

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microorganism

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mouldy coating produced by fungi that can appear on walls, fabrics, and the like, usually occurs in damp areas

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mildew

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cells dividing into 2 new cells (daughter cells)

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mitosis

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fungus growth that usually grows in dark, damp places

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mould

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self-movement

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motility

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Material Safety Data Sheet; information complied by a manufacturer about its product, ranging from ingredient content and associated hazards to combustion levels and storage requirements

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MSDS

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natural resistance to disease, partly inherited and partly developed through hygienic living

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natural immunity

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not harmful, not disease-producing; organisms that perform useful functions

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nonpathogenic

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symptoms that are visible, such a pimples, pustules, or inflammation

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objective symptoms

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illness resulting from conditions associated with employment, such as coming in contact with certain chemicals or tints

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occupational disease

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suffix meaning "scientific study of"
i.e. microbiology

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-ology

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organism that lives in or on another organism and draws its nourishment from that organism

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parasite

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disease caused by vegetable or animal parasites, such as pediculosis and ringworm

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parasitic disease

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casing disease; harmful

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pathogenic

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disease produced by disease-causing bacteria, such as staphylococcus and streptococcus (pus-forming bacteria), or viruses

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pathogenic disease

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science that investigates modification of the functions and changes in structure caused by disease

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pathology

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skin disease caused by infestation of head lice

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pediculosis capitis

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carbolic acid; caustic poison; in 5% dilute solution is used to sanitize metallic implements

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phenol

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having pores or openings that permit liquids or gases to pass through

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porous

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foretelling of probable course of a disease

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prognosis

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capable of destroying Pseudomonas bacteria

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pseudomonacidal

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fluid product of inflammation that contains white blood cells and debris of dead cells, tissue elements, and bacteria

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pus

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disinfectant that is considered nontoxic, odourless, and fast-acting

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quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)

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3rd level of decontamination; significantly reducing number of pathogens or disease-producing organisms found on surface

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sanitation or sanitizing

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nonpathogenic bacteria that normally grow on dead matter

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saprophytes

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contagious skin disease caused by an itch mite burrowing under skin

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scabies

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disease influenced by weather

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seasonal disease

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common household bleach; disinfectant used to sanitize implements

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sodium hypochlorite

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spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria, such as Treponema pallida, which causes syphilis, and Borrelia burgdorferi, which cases Lyme disease

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spirilla

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pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like a bunch of grapes; causes abscesses, pustules, and boils

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staphylococci

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highest level of decontamination; completely destroys every organism on a nonporous surface, whether beneficial or harmful

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sterilization

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pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines resembling a string of beads; cause infections such as strep throat and blood poisoning

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streptococci

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symptoms that can be felt, such as itching, burning, or pain

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subjective symptoms

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disease that affects body generally, often due to under- or overfunctioning of internal glands

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systemic disease

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any of various poisonous substances produced by some microorganisms

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toxins

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capable of destroying bacteria that causes tuberculosis

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tuberculocidal

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set of guidelines and controls, published b the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that require employ and employee to assume that all human blood and specified boy fluids are infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens

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Universal Precautions

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contagious disease commonly acquired by contact with an infected person during sexual intercourse, characterized by sores and rashes on skin

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venereal disease

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study of viruses and viral diseases

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virology

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capable of destroying viruses

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virucidal

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a submicroscopic structure capable of infesting almost all plants and animals, including bacteria; infectious agent that lives only by penetrating cells and becoming part of them

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virus