2.02 Infection Control Key Terms

Key Terms / Definitions
Aerobic / requires oxygen to live
Anaerobic / does not require oxygen to live
Antiseptic hand wash / washing hands with water and soap or other detergents containing an antiseptic agent
Alcohol-based hand rub / rubbing hands with an alcohol-containing preparation
Asepsis / free of pathogens
Endogenous / originates from within the body
Exogenous / originates outside the body
Hand hygiene / performing hand washing, antiseptic hand wash, alcohol-based hand rub
Hand washing / washing hands with plain soap and water
Infection / invasion of the body by microorganisms
Local infection / only a specific portion of the body is infected
Non-Pathogenic / normal, do not produce disease, beneficial
Nosocomial Infections / hospital acquired infection
Opportunistic infection / Infections that occur when the body’s defenses are weakened
Pathogenic / cause infection and disease
Resistant / remain firm against the action of another force, such as a bacteria against an antibiotic
Sterile / free of all organisms
Susceptible / able to be affected; person likely to get sick
Systemic infection / affects the entire body
Endogenous-
(endo- inside; genous- type or kind)
type or kind of infection that originates from within the body
Exogenous-
(exo- outside; genous- type or kind)
type or kind of infection that originates outside the body
Nosocomial infections-
Hospital acquired infection
Transmitted by the health care worker
Opportunistic infections-
Infections that occur when the body’s defenses are weakened
Gram-positive:
Generally respond to treatment / Gram-negative:
Endotoxic
Pyogenic
Difficult to treat
Bacteria / cocci – round in shape
bacilli – rod shape
spirilla – spiral or corkscrew shape
Protozoa / one celled, animal-like organism
contain a nucleus and other defined organelles
Fungi / organisms that usually enjoy a symbiotic, but sometimes parasitic relationship with their host
Rickettsiae / rod-shaped, parasitic bacteria
transmitted to humans through bites
Viruses / small, infectious agent
requires a host for survival
produce immune response in humans
treated with antiviral drugs
Helminths / parasitic worm-like organisms
Excrete toxins making host susceptible to other diseases

Decompose

Microorganisms

Saprophytes

Parasites

Host

Salmonella

Spirochetes

Urethritis

Cystitis

Enterotoxin

Protest

Chain of infection

Toxins

Contaminated

Generalized and localized

Standard precautions

Transmitting

Aseptic technique

Disinfection

Pleural fluid

Amniotic fluid

Semen

Cerebrospinal fluid

Peritoneal fluid

Interstitial fluid

Exposed

Autoclaves

Droplet

Microns

Airborne

Blood borne

Hepatitis C

Vaccine

HIV

Universal precautions

Hepatitis B

AIDS

Antiseptic hand wash