| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Acquired immunity | Infection resistance to a specific organism that occurs after an individual has been infected with the organism, or that is conferred from a vaccine |
| Airborne contamination | Mode of disease trasmission where microorganisms suspended in air (dust containing spores, droplets) are inhaled by others; e.g. TB |
| Asepsis | The absence of microorganisms |
| Autoclave | An appliance used to sterilize medical instruments or other objects with steam under pressure |
| Direct contact | Means of disease transmission in which infectious organisms are transferred to a susceptible host by the touch of an infected individual |
| Disinfection | The destuction of pathogens by using chemical materials |
| Droplet Contamination | Infection transmission that occurs when an infectious individual coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings in the vicinity of a susceptible host |
| Endospore | A form assumed by certain bacteria in which they resist drying and can live for long periods without warmth, moisture, or nutrients |
| Epidemic | Appearance of an infectious disease or condition that affects may people at the same time in the same geographical area |
| Fomite | Nonliving material or inanimate object such as a door knob or bed linen that may transmit microorganisms |
| Immunosuppressant | An agent that significantly interferes with the ability of the immune system to respond to antigenic stimulation by inhibiting cellular and hormonal immunity |
| Microbial dilution | The process of reducing the total number of microorganisms, which is accomplished at three levels: cleanliness measures, disinfection, and sterilization |
| Nosocomial infection | Acquired from the hospital environment during hospital stay; acquired by 5% of in-patients; common to respiratory and urinary tract |
| Opportunistic infection | An infection caused by normally nonpathogenic organisms in a host whose resistance has been decreased by disorders such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or cancer treatment that causes immunosuppression |
| Passive immunity | Short-term resistance to infection produced by antibodies. Performed antibodies may be injected in the form of pooled immune globulin from the general population; they are passed in utero or in breast milk. |
| Pathogen | Any microorganism capable of producing disease |
| Phagocytosis | The process by which certain cells engulf and destroy microorganisms and cellular debris |
| Spore | A reproductive unit of some genera of fungi or protozoa. Also, a common term for endospore, a form assumed by some bacteria that is resistant to heat, drying, and chemicals |
| Sterile conscience | The awareness of sterile technique and the responsibility for notifying those in charge whenever contamination occurs |
| Sterile field | A specified area, such as within a tray or on a sterile towel, that is considered free of microorganisms |
| Sterilization | Treatment of items with heat, gas, or chemicals to make them germ free |
| Vector | An animal in whose body a pathogen multiplies or develops before becoming infective to a new host |
| Vehicle | Any substance, such as food or water, that can serve as a mode of transmission for infectious agents |
| Virulence factors | Characteristics of certain microorganisms that cause them to be pathogenic and distinguish them from normal flora. These factors enable bacteria to destroy or damage host cells and resist destruction by the host's cellular defenses |
| Medical asepsis | Cleaning technique that limits number and prevents spread of infectious microorganism |
| Surgical asepsis | Technique that eliminates pathogens by sterilization |
| Indirect Contact | Transmission of disease by contaminated objects that have been in contact with an infected person |
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