Infection control

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

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

The thorough cleaning and disinfection of every room used that day, done at the end of each day's surgery schedule.

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

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

A surgical hand scrub with an antiseptic soap and a soft sponge for the time the antiseptic's maker sets, usually 2 to 6 minutes in all.

A fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A bacterial toxin changed so it can no longer poison but still makes the body build antibodies, used as a vaccine, as against tetanus and diphtheria.

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

The rules for how people, patients and supplies move through the surgical suite's zones, keeping clean and contaminated traffic apart.

Microbes picked up on the skin from the people and things it touches, which stay only a short time and are removed easily by hand hygiene.

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

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

A 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.

Able to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the hardy, waxy-walled germ that causes tuberculosis.

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