Dictionary

Infection control

Organisms, precautions and the practices that stop infection spreading.

BacillusA group of rod-shaped bacteria that can form spores; written in small letters, bacillus means any rod-shaped bacterium.

bacteremiaThe presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.

bacterial infectionAn infection caused by bacteria growing in the body.

bacteriumA tiny one-celled living thing, seen only under a microscope, of which some kinds cause disease; the plural is bacteria.

barrierSomething that blocks passage, such as gloves that block germs, or anything that gets in the way of care or learning.

BCGBacille Calmette-Guérin: a live, weakened bacterium used as a tuberculosis vaccine and as a bladder cancer treatment.

biohazardA biological material, such as blood, body fluids or used sharps, that can spread infection to people.

blood cultureA test in which blood is placed in bottles and watched to see whether bacteria or fungi grow from it.

bloodborne pathogenA germ carried in blood that can cause disease in a person exposed to that blood, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV.

bloodstream infectionAn infection in which bacteria or fungi are growing in the blood.

body fluidAny liquid made in or found inside the body, such as blood, urine, saliva or fluid inside cells.

Bowie-Dick testA daily test that checks whether a prevacuum steam sterilizer removes all the air from its chamber.