FOMITE
inanimate vehicles other than food, milk, water, and air that may harbor or be the means of transmission of organisms.
INFECTION
an invasion of body tissue by micro-organisms and their proliferation there.
COMMUNICABLE
able to be spread from person to person.
INCUBATION PERIOD
the time interval between exposure to the infection and the appearance of the first symptoms
CROSS INFECTION
the superimposing of a second infection on a patient already suffering from
an infectious disease.
CONCURRENT DISINFECTION
continuous, day-by-day disinfection immediately after discharge of infectious material from body of infected person (most important).
SUPRAINFECTIONS
sudden growth of organism different from the original offender in a wound
or infection already under treatment; is usually resistant to the current treatment.
OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION
infection in a person with a suppressed immune system caused
by organisms that usually do not cause disease in persons with healthy immune systems.
BACTERIA
single-cell microorganisms, classified according to shape: cocci (spherical), bacilli
(rod shaped), and spirilla (spiral-shape). They may also be encapsulated, motile or nonmotile.
They can cause a variety of infectious diseases in humans.
TRANSIENT BACTERIA
microorganisms which are on the surface of skin or articles and can be
easily removed by washing.
RESIDENT BACTERIA
microorganisms which are imbedded in the dermis and epidermis and
are not readily removed by hand washing.
VIRUS
the smallest known organism. Viruses are made up of an RNA or DNA nucleus covered with proteins. No cell wall. Can cause a variety of infectious diseases in humans.
ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK
a generalized systemic and frequently fatal reaction occurring
suddenly after administration of foreign sera or drugs, bee sting, or other antigens.
NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION
infection acquired while in a health care facility.
INFLAMMATORY REACTION
immediate, aggressive response by the body to the injury or
potential destruction of its cells and tissues - is the body's most important and common defense mechanism at the local tissue level.
CARRIER
human or animal who harbors and eliminates organisms causing a specific disease although he/she gives no evidence of having the disease.
NECROSIS
death of a cell or group of cells as a result of injury, disease, or infection.
PUS
produced in inflammatory process by phagocytosis; is a thick fluid composed of necrotic and viable polymorphonuclear leukocytes along with necrotic tissue debris.
ABSCESS
a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the disintegration of tissue. Usually caused by microorganisms that do not spread throughout the body.
CELLULITIS
diffuse inflammation of soft tissues characterized by edema, redness, pain, and interference with function; usually caused by infection.
DEBRIDEMENT
removal of all foreign material and aseptic excision of all contaminated and devitalized tissues.
TERMINAL DISINFECTION
process of rendering personal clothing and immediate physical
environment of patient free of infectious organisms after the patient is no longer infectious.
VECTORS
an animal or insect that transfers an infective agent from one host to another (i.e., dogs, bats, mosquitoes).
VIRULENCE
ability of an organism to cause disease.
SENSITIVITY TEST
susceptibility of an organism to the amount or level of antibiotic produced
in the blood by usual doses of the antibiotic. (done in laboratory)
FUNGI
these agents occur as yeast or molds in humans, fungal diseases are called mycoses.
ENDEMIC
a disease that remains present in a given population or geographic area. Examples include the common cold and sexually transmitted disease.
EPIDEMIC
a disease occurring at a level that is higher than normal for a given population or
geographic area.
PANDEMIC
a disease that affects the majority of a given population, or one that is epidemic in many different populations or geographical areas.
INCIDENCE
the number or rate of occurrence of new cases of a particular disease in a specified population over a specified period of time.
PREVALENCE
the number of cases (new or old) of a particular disease in a specified population at a given time.
MORBIDITY
the proportion of persons with a particular disease during a specific year per given unit of population. Also used as a general term indicating a diseased condition or state.
MORTALITY
all deaths reported in a specified population.
