AIDS
A disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which attacks the immune system destroying the body's ability to fight infections.
autoclave
Piece of equipment used to sterilize articles by wave of steam under pressure and or dry heat
chemical disinfection
Many chemicals do not kill spores and viruses a few can kill spores and viruses but these chemical will frequently require them to be submerged for 10 or more hours. Chemicals used to clean instruments that do not penetrate body
disinfection
Aseptic-control method that destroys pathogens but does not usually kill spores and viruses
exogenous
Infection or disease originating outside of or external to the body
aerobic
Requiring oxygen to live and grow
bacteria
One- called microorganisms, some of which are beneficial and some of which cause disease
Clean
Free from organisms causing disease
droplet precautions
Methods of infection control that must be used for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by large particle droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, talking or laughing
fomites
Any substance or object that adheres to and transmits infectious materials
airborne precautions
Methods of infection control that must be used for patients known our suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei
bioterrorism
The use of biological agents such as pathogens for terrorist purposes
communicable disease
Disease that is transmitted from one individual to another
ebola
The first affected primates and then spread to humans.
Fungi
Group of simple, plantlike animals that live on dead organic matter like yeast or mold
anaerobic
Not requiring oxygen to live and grow able to thrive in the absence of oxygen
cavitation
The use of biological agents such as pathogens for terrorist purposes
contract precautions
Methods of infection control that must be used for patients known or suspected to be infected with epidemiological microorganisms that can be transmitted by either direct or indirect contact
endogenous
Infections or disease originating within the body
health care-associated
Concerns that relate to health care.
asepsis
Being free from infections
chain of disinfection
A reaction in which a series of people are uninfected continuously.
contaminated
Containing infection or infectious organisms or germs
epidemic
An infectious disease that affects a large number of people within a population community or region at the same time
Helminths
A parasitic worm like a tapeworm or leech