Dictionary

Infection control

Organisms, precautions and the practices that stop infection spreading.

abscessA closed pocket of pus in tissue, walled off by the body.

aerationAiring out: in sterile processing, the step that removes leftover ethylene oxide gas from items after sterilization.

AIDSAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome: the most advanced stage of HIV infection, when the immune system is badly damaged.

airborne infectionAn infection that spreads through tiny germ-carrying particles that stay floating in the air and can travel some distance.

airborne precautionsInfection control steps, used with standard precautions, for germs that spread through tiny particles that stay in the air.

airborne transmissionThe spread of germs in tiny particles that stay floating in the air and can travel across a room or farther.

aminoglycosideA group of strong antibiotics, mostly given by IV or injection, that kill many gram-negative bacteria.

anthraxA serious infection caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.

anti-infectiveA drug that kills or stops the growth of germs that cause infection.

antibioticA drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.

antibiotic resistanceThe ability of bacteria to survive an antibiotic that used to kill them or stop their growth.

antifungalA drug that kills fungi or stops them from growing, used to treat fungal infections.

antimicrobialA drug or substance that kills or slows the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites.

antiretroviralA drug used to treat or prevent HIV infection by stopping the virus from multiplying.

antisepticA substance put on the skin or other living tissue to kill germs or slow their growth.

antiviralA drug that treats or prevents infection by a virus, usually by stopping the virus from making copies of itself.

asepsisThe state of being free of germs that cause disease, and the practices used to keep things that way.

azithromycinA macrolide antibiotic taken by mouth or IV for infections of the lungs, sinuses, skin and some sexually transmitted infections.