Infection control

A ventilation system that moves ultraclean air in one direction, in straight lines, to make a curtain of clean air over the sterile field.

An oral antiviral drug used with other drugs to treat HIV, and alone to treat chronic hepatitis B.

Natural rubber made from the sap of the rubber tree, used in some gloves, catheters and other medical supplies.

A fluoroquinolone antibiotic, given by mouth or IV, used for lung, urinary and other bacterial infections.

A shampoo or lotion that kills lice and scabies mites, used only when safer treatments have failed or cannot be used.

A chemical germ-killing solution used to wipe surfaces or soak devices, chosen by the level of disinfection the item needs.

The number on a sterilized package that names the sterilizer, the cycle and the date, so a whole load can be traced and recalled.

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

A fast-spreading infection under the jaw and in the floor of the mouth on both sides, which can swell and close the airway.

An instrument with a hollow channel running through it, such as a suction tip, a cannulated drill bit, an endoscope or a trocar sleeve.

An infection with Borrelia bacteria, spread to people by the bite of an infected tick.