Dictionary

Infection control

Organisms, precautions and the practices that stop infection spreading.

conjunctivitisInflammation of the thin, clear layer that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids.

contact precautionsInfection control steps, used on top of standard precautions, for germs that spread by touching the client or things around them.

contaminationThe presence of germs or harmful substances on something that should be clean or sterile.

coronavirusOne of a family of viruses with crown-like spikes on their surface that infect the airways.

COVIDCOVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019: an infectious illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

culture and sensitivityA lab test that grows the germs from a sample to identify them and see which antibiotics work against them.

cytomegalovirusA common virus of the herpes family that stays in the body for life after infection.

decontaminationRemoving or destroying germs, chemicals or radioactive material from a person, surface or object to make it safe.

diphtheriaA serious bacterial infection, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, that mainly affects the nose and throat.

disinfectantA chemical used on objects and surfaces to kill most germs.

disinfectionCleaning a surface or object with chemicals or heat to kill most germs, though not always all bacterial spores.

doffingTaking off personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gown, eye protection and mask.

donningPutting on personal protective equipment, such as a gown, mask, eye protection and gloves.

dropletA drop of moisture sprayed from the nose or mouth when a person coughs, sneezes or talks, which can carry germs a short way.

droplet precautionsInfection control steps, used with standard precautions, for germs spread by large droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking.

DTaPThe childhood vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough), for children under 7.

endemicDescribing a disease that is always present at a steady, expected level in a certain area or group.

endoscopeA thin tube with a light and a camera that is passed into the body to look inside an organ or cavity.

enhanced barrier precautionsWearing a gown and gloves during close, high-contact care of certain nursing home residents to stop the spread of drug-resistant germs.

EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency: the US agency that registers disinfectants; also eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fat.

epidemicA rise in cases of a disease in a community or region well above what is normally expected.

epidemiologyThe study of how often diseases happen in groups of people, who gets them, and why.

Epstein-Barr virusA common herpes virus that causes infectious mononucleosis.

Escherichia coliA rod-shaped bacterium that normally lives in the human intestine, some strains of which cause infection.

ethyleneA colorless, flammable gas used to make plastics and other chemicals, including ethylene oxide.

ethylene oxideA gas used at low temperature to sterilize medical items that heat or moisture would damage.

eye protectionGoggles or a face shield worn to keep blood, body fluids or other splashes out of the eyes.

fecal-oral routeA way germs spread in which tiny amounts of stool from an infected person reach another person's mouth.

feverA body temperature higher than normal, usually 38 °C (100.4 °F) or above.

fifth diseaseA common childhood viral illness caused by parvovirus B19, also called erythema infectiosum.

folliculitisInflammation or infection of hair follicles, the small pockets in the skin that hairs grow from.

fungal infectionAn infection caused by a fungus, such as a yeast or a mold.

fungusA living thing, such as a yeast or mold, that gets food from other matter; some kinds cause infections. The plural is fungi.

gastroenteritisInflammation of the stomach and intestines.

genital wartA small, soft growth on or around the genitals or anus caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV).

gloveA covering for the hand worn to protect the wearer and the client from germs, body fluids and chemicals.

glutaraldehydeA liquid chemical used for high-level disinfection, or sterilization with longer soaking, of heat-sensitive medical devices.

gonorrheaA bacterial infection, spread mainly through sex, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Gram stainA lab staining method that sorts bacteria into two groups by the color they turn under the microscope.

gram-negativeDescribes bacteria that stain pink or red with the Gram stain because of the way their cell wall is built.

gram-positiveDescribes bacteria that stain purple with the Gram stain because of their thick cell wall.

group B streptococcus screenA swab test in late pregnancy that checks the vagina and rectum for group B streptococcus bacteria.

hand hygieneCleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

HAVHepatitis A virus: a virus that infects the liver and spreads when traces of stool get into the mouth, as through food or water.

healthcare-associated infectionAn infection a client gets while receiving health care that was not present or incubating when care began.

hepatitisInflammation of the liver, most often caused by a virus.

hepatitis BA liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.

hepatitis B immune globulinA shot of ready-made antibodies against the hepatitis B virus, giving short-term protection right away.

hepatitis B surface antigenA blood test for a protein from the outer coat of the hepatitis B virus.

hepatitis B vaccineA vaccine that protects against hepatitis B, a virus that infects the liver.