Terms
a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus which attacks the immune system destroying the body’s ability to fight infection
Acquired immune definciency syndrome (AIDS)
being free from infection
Asepsis
factors that lead to the transmission or spread of disease
Chain of infection
containing infection or infectious organisms
Contaminated
infection or disease originating outside of or external to the body
Exogenous
requiring oxygen to live and grow
Aerobic
equipment used to sterilize articles by way of steam under pressure and or dry heat
Autoclave
the method of aseptic control inwhich substances or solutions are used to disinfect articles; does not always kill spores and viruses
Chemical disinfection
aseptic control method that destroys pathogens but does not usually kill spores and viruses
Disinfection
any substance or object that adheres to and transmits infectious material
Fomites
methods of infection control that must be used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei
Airborne precautions
one celled microorganisms, some of which are beneficial and some cause disease
Bacteria
free from organisms causing disease
Clean
methods of infection control that must be used for patients known as suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large particle droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking, or laughing
Droplet precautions
group of simple, plantlike animals that live on dead organic matter
Fungi
not requiring oxygen to live and grow; able to thrive in the absence of oxygen
Anaerobic
the use of biological agents such as pathogens for terrorists purposes
Bioterrorism
disease that is transmitted from one individual to another
Communicable disease
a filovirus that causes hemorrhagic fever disease
Ebola
a parasitic worm
Helminths
aseptic control that inhibits, regards growth of, or kills pathogenic organisms; not effective against spores and viruses
Antisepsis
the cleaning process employed in an ultrasonic unit; bubbles explode to drive cleaning solution onto article being cleaned
Cavitation
methods of infection control that must be used for patients known or suspected
Contact precautions
infection or disease originating within the body
Endogenous
inflammation of the of the liver caused by HBV virus transmitted by blood, serum, and other body secretions, serious damage is often caused by this type
Hepatitis B