Key Terms
AIDS
A disease caused by HIV that weakens the immune system
autoclave
A machine that sterilizes equipment using steam under pressure
chemical disinfection
Using chemicals to destroy many harmful microorganisms on objects
disinfection
The process of destroying many disease-causing organisms
exogenous
Coming from outside the body
aerobic
Needing oxygen to live or grow
bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms; some cause disease
clean
Free from dirt and many germs, but not necessarily sterile
droplet precautions
Steps used to stop germs spread through respiratory droplets
fomites
Inanimate objects that can carry germs
airborne precautions
Steps used to prevent the spread of infections that travel through the air
bioterrorism
The use of biological agents to harm or threaten people
communicable disease
A disease that can be passed from one person to another
ebola
A severe viral disease that causes dangerous bleeding and fever
fungi
Organisms such as molds and yeasts; some cause infections
anaerobic
Living or growing without oxygen
cavitation
The formation of a hollow space, often from tissue destruction in disease
contact precautions
Infection control measures used when germs spread by touch
endogenous
Originating from within the body
health care-associatedhealth care-associated
An infection acquired during medical care
asepsis
The absence of disease-causing microbes; clean or sterile conditions
chain of infection
The steps by which an infection is spread from source to host
contaminated
Made unsafe by germs or harmful substances
epidemic
A sudden increase in cases of a disease in a community or region
helminths
Parasitic worms