Infection control

Immunoglobulin G: the most common type of antibody in the blood, which gives long-lasting protection against germs.

Steam sterilizing an urgently needed item, with little or no drying, for use right away; once called flash sterilization.

Protected against a disease, or having to do with the body's defense system against germs and other foreign things.

The way the body recognizes and defends itself against germs and other substances it sees as foreign.

The body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.

The body's ability to resist or fight off a particular infection or disease.

The process of making a person protected against a disease, most often by giving a vaccine.

The recommended timetable of which vaccines to give, at what ages and how many doses.

Having an immune system that is weaker than normal at fighting infection.

A state in which the immune system is weaker than normal and cannot fight infection well.

Not letting fluid pass through.

A contagious bacterial skin infection, most common in young children.

A clear plastic drape with an adhesive back that is pressed onto the prepped skin, and the incision is made through it.

The time between catching an infection and the first symptoms; also, keeping something warm so it can grow or develop.

The time between catching an infection and the first symptoms.

A tube passed through the urethra into the bladder and left in place to drain urine into a bag.

The entry and growth of germs, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, in the body.

The policies and practices used in health care to prevent the spread of infection.

Caused by germs, or able to spread germs and cause infection in others.

An illness caused by a germ such as a bacterium, virus, fungus or parasite.

An infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by influenza viruses; the flu.

A vaccine, given each year, that helps protect against the flu.

The virus that causes influenza (the flu), a contagious infection of the nose, throat and lungs.

The body's built-in defenses, present from birth, that work the same way against any invader and have no memory; also called nonspecific immunity.

A standard group of instruments packed and sterilized together in a tray or container for one kind of procedure.

A computer system that follows instrument sets, and single instruments, through use, cleaning, sterilization and storage, and links them to each patient.

A blood test that shows whether a person has been infected with the bacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Disinfection that kills mycobacteria such as TB, bacteria, most viruses and fungi, but not bacterial spores.

Iodine joined to a carrier that releases it slowly, used as a skin antiseptic; povidone-iodine is the common one.

Keeping a client apart from others to stop an infection spreading or to protect them from infection; also, being alone without social contact.

Extra infection-control measures, added to standard precautions, for clients known or thought to have certain contagious infections.

A clear, fast-acting, highly flammable alcohol used at 70 to 90 percent as a skin antiseptic and an intermediate-level disinfectant.

An antiparasitic drug, taken by mouth or put on the skin, that kills certain worms, lice and mites.