Dictionary

Infection control

Organisms, precautions and the practices that stop infection spreading.

MMR vaccineA combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

mode of transmissionThe way a germ travels from where it lives to a new person.

mRNAMessenger RNA: a molecule that carries a gene's instructions from DNA to the parts of the cell that build proteins.

MRSAMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacterium that many common antibiotics cannot kill.

mumpsA contagious disease caused by the mumps virus that mainly infects the salivary glands in front of the ears.

mupirocinAn antibiotic ointment or cream used on the skin or inside the nose.

N95A close-fitting respirator mask that filters at least 95% of tiny particles from the air the wearer breathes.

NADPHNicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate: a molecule that carries electrons for chemical reactions in the body's cells.

needlelessWorking without a needle, such as an IV connector that a syringe or tubing attaches to directly.

needlestickAn injury in which a needle that may have been used on someone pierces the skin.

negative pressurePressure that is lower than the pressure around it, so air or fluid is drawn in.

opportunistic infectionAn infection caused by a germ that rarely makes healthy people sick but takes advantage of a weakened immune system.

organismA living thing, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus, parasite, plant or animal.

oseltamivirAn oral antiviral drug used to treat and prevent influenza.

osteomyelitisAn infection of bone.

pandemicAn outbreak of disease that spreads across several countries or continents and affects very many people.

PAPRPowered air-purifying respirator: a respirator with a battery fan that pushes filtered air into a hood or mask.

parasiteA living thing that lives on or in another living thing and gets its food from it, often causing harm.

pathogenA germ, such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite, that can cause disease.

PCRPolymerase chain reaction: a lab method that copies tiny amounts of genetic material so a germ or a gene can be detected.

pediculosisInfestation with lice, tiny wingless insects that live on the body and feed on blood.

pelvic inflammatory diseaseInfection of the female upper reproductive organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

penicillinsA group of antibiotics, including penicillin and amoxicillin, that kill bacteria by stopping them from building their cell walls.

permethrinA cream or lotion put on the skin or hair to kill lice and the mites that cause scabies.

personal protective equipmentGear worn to protect a health worker from germs and body fluids, such as gloves, gowns, masks, respirators and eye protection.

pertussisA very contagious infection of the airways caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis; also called whooping cough.

pneumoniaAn infection of one or both lungs in which the air sacs fill with fluid or pus.

postexposureHappening after a person has been exposed to an infection, poison or other hazard.

povidone-iodineA brown antiseptic solution of iodine used to kill germs on the skin before procedures and on wounds.

precautionA step taken ahead of time to prevent harm, such as the infection-control practices used with every client.

prophylaxisTreatment given to prevent a disease or problem, rather than to treat one that is already present.

protective environmentA special hospital room and set of precautions that keep germs away from a client whose immune system is very weak.

protozoaTiny living things made of a single cell with a nucleus, some of which cause disease in people.

pulmonary tuberculosisTuberculosis of the lungs, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

purulentContaining or made of pus: thick, cloudy fluid that may be yellow, green, tan or brown.

pusThick fluid made of white blood cells, dead tissue and germs that collects at a site of infection.

py/oA word part that means pus.

pyelonephritisA bacterial infection of the kidney, usually spread up from the bladder.

rapid plasma reaginA blood test used to screen for syphilis by looking for antibodies the body makes during the infection.

reprocessingThe steps that make a used reusable medical device safe to use on the next patient.

reservoirA place where germs live and multiply, such as a person, animal, water or soil.

respiratorA close-fitting mask or hood that filters the air a person breathes to protect them from germs or harmful particles.

respiratory syncytial virusA common virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs, most often in babies and young children.

rifamycinA group of antibiotics, including rifampin, used mainly for tuberculosis; also one drug of that name for travelers' diarrhea.

ringwormA fungal skin infection that forms a ring-shaped patch; it is not caused by a worm.

ritonavirAn HIV protease inhibitor, now used mostly in low doses to raise the blood levels of other antiviral drugs.

RNARibonucleic acid: a molecule in cells that copies genetic instructions from DNA and helps build proteins.

roseolaA common viral illness of babies and toddlers caused by human herpesvirus 6 or 7.

RSV bronchiolitisInflammation of the smallest airways of the lungs from respiratory syncytial virus, mostly in infants.

RT-PCRReverse transcription polymerase chain reaction: a lab test that finds the genetic material of a virus or other germ in a sample.