Dictionary

Infection control

Organisms, precautions and the practices that stop infection spreading.

rubellaA contagious illness caused by the rubella virus; also called German measles.

SARSSevere acute respiratory syndrome: a lung infection caused by a coronavirus, first seen in 2002–2003.

SARS-CoVSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus: the virus that caused the SARS outbreak of 2002–2004.

SARS-CoV-2Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: the virus that causes COVID-19.

scabiesA skin infestation by tiny mites that burrow into the top layer of the skin.

scarlet feverAn infection with group A strep bacteria in which a toxin made by the bacteria causes a red rash over the body.

SDSSafety Data Sheet: a document that describes a chemical product's hazards and how to handle it safely.

sepsisA severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.

septic shockThe most severe stage of sepsis, in which the circulation fails and blood pressure stays low even after IV fluids.

sexually transmitted infectionAn infection passed from one person to another mainly through sexual contact.

sporeA tough, resting form that some bacteria and fungi make, able to survive heat, drying and many cleaning products.

sporicidalAble to kill bacterial spores, the tough resting forms of some bacteria.

sputum cultureA lab test that grows germs from mucus coughed up from the lungs, to find out which germ is present.

SSIAn abbreviation that can mean surgical site infection or sliding scale insulin.

standard precautionsThe basic infection-control practices used with every client, whether or not an infection is known.

StaphylococcusA group of round bacteria that grow in grape-like clusters and often live on the skin and in the nose.

Staphylococcus aureusA common round bacterium that often lives on the skin and in the nose and can cause infection.

sterilantA chemical that kills all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores.

sterileFree of all living microorganisms; also, unable to have children.

sterile dressing changeReplacing a dressing on a wound or line site using sterile technique and sterile supplies.

sterile fieldAn area set up with sterile drapes and supplies, kept free of all germs, for a sterile procedure.

sterile gloveA glove that has been sterilized and packed so it can touch a sterile field or an open body area without bringing in germs.

sterilityThe state of being completely free of living germs, including spores; also, being unable to have children.

sterilizationA process that destroys all microorganisms, including spores, on an item; also a permanent birth control procedure.

sterilizerA machine that kills all germs, including spores, on instruments and supplies.

stool cultureA lab test that grows germs from a stool sample to find the bacteria causing an infection.

StreptococcusA group of round bacteria that grow in chains, some of which cause infections in people.

surgical asepsisPractices that keep an area or object completely free of microorganisms; also called sterile technique.

surgical maskA loose-fitting disposable mask that covers the nose and mouth and blocks droplets and splashes.

swabA small piece of absorbent material on the end of a stick, used to collect a sample or to clean or apply something.

syncytialRelating to a syncytium, a large cell-like mass with many nuclei formed when cells fuse together.

syphilisA bacterial infection, spread mainly through sex, caused by Treponema pallidum.

TdapA vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) for older children, teens and adults.

terbinafineAn antifungal drug used on the skin for athlete's foot and ringworm, and by mouth for fungal nail infections.

tetanusA serious illness caused by a nerve toxin made by the bacterium Clostridium tetani.

throat cultureA test in which a swab of the back of the throat is grown in the lab to find which bacteria are there.

tineaA fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails.

tinea capitisA fungal infection of the scalp and hair, also called ringworm of the scalp.

tinea corporisA fungal infection of the skin of the body, commonly called ringworm, although no worm is involved.

tinea crurisA fungal infection of the skin of the groin and inner thighs, often called jock itch.

tinea pedisA fungal infection of the skin of the feet, often called athlete's foot.

toxic shock syndromeA rare, life-threatening illness caused by toxins from certain bacteria, mainly Staphylococcus aureus or group A streptococcus.

toxinA poison made by a living thing, such as a bacterium, plant or animal.

toxoplasmosisAn infection with Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite carried by cats and found in undercooked meat and soil.

transmissionThe passing of an infection from one person, animal or object to another.

trichomoniasisA common sexually transmitted infection caused by a one-celled parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis.

tuberculin skin testA screening test in which a small amount of tuberculin protein is injected just under the skin of the forearm and the spot is checked days later.

tuberculosisAn infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.

upper respiratory infectionAn infection of the nose, sinuses, throat or voice box, such as the common cold.

urinary tract infectionAn infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.