immunoglobin produced by the body in response to a specific antigen
Antimicrobial
antibacterial agent that kills bacteria or suppresses their growth
Antigen
foreign material capable of inducing a specific immune response
Asepsis
absence of disease-producing microorganisms; using methods to prevent infection
Bacteria
the most significant and most commonly observed infection-causing agents
Disinfection
process used to destroy microorganisms; destroys all pathogenic organisms except spores
Endogenous
infection in which the causative organism comes from microbial life the person himself or herself harbors
Exogenous
infection in which the causative organism is acquired from outside the host
Fungi
plant-like organisms (molds and yeasts) that can cause infection
Healthcare-associated infection
an infection that was not present on admission to the hospital and develops during the course of treatment for other conditions (nosocomial)
Host
animal or person on or within which microorganisms live
Iatrogenic infection
infection that occurs as a result of a treatment or diagnostic procedure
Infection
disease state resulting from pathogens in or on the body
Isolation
protective procedure designed to prevent the transmission of specific microorganisms; also called protective aseptic techniques and barrier techniques
Medical asepsis
practices designed to reduce the number and transfer of pathogens; synonym for clean technique
Nosocomial
something originating or taking place in the hospital (ie, infection)
Pathogen
disease-producing microorganism
Reservoir
natural habitat for the growth and multiplication of microorganisms
Standard Precautions
CDC precautions used in the care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis or possible infection status; this category combines universal and body substance precautions
Sterilization
(1) the process by which all microorganisms, including spores, are destroyed; (2) surgical procedure performed to render a person infertile
Surgical asepsis
practices that render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms; synonym for sterile technique
Transmission-Based Precautions
CDC precautions used in patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by airborne, droplet, or contact routes; used in addition to Standard Precautions
Vector
nonhuman carriers, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and lice, that transmit organisms from one host to another
Virulence
ability to produce disease
Virus
smallest of all microorganisms; can be seen only by using an electron microscope