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124 infection cntrl
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Infection | an invasion and growth of microorganisms that cause harm to cells and tissues. |
acid-fast bacillus (AFB) | a type of bacillus that resists decolorizing by acid after accepting a stain |
amebiasis | a protozoal infection transmitted by food or water contaminated with human feces that primarily affects the colon, but also the liver and other sites. |
angiography | the radiographic visualization of the internal anatomy f the heart and blood vessels after administration of a contrast agent. |
anorexia | lack or loss of appetite resulting in the inability to eat. |
antigen | any substance eleciting an immunological response, such as production of an antibody specific for that substance. |
antimicrobial | a type of agent that kills or inhibits the growth or replication of microorganisms |
anticeptic | any substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria |
asepsis | freedom from infectious material |
asymptomatic | exhibiting or producing no symptoms |
autoimmune | a condition in which an immune response is directed against constituents of an organisms own body |
body fluid | a fluid produced by human body |
cannula | a tube for insertion into a duct of cavity |
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) | a basic emergency procedure for life support that consists of artificial respiration and manual external cardiac massage. |
carrier | a person or animal who harbors and spreads a disease causing organism to others without becoming ill. |
cerabrospinal fluid | the fluid that flows through and protects the four ventricles of the brain, the subarachnoid space, and the spinal canal. |
chemotherapy | the treatment of infections and other diseases with chemical agents. |
chronic | a type of disease or condition lasting a long time that has periods of improvement and periods of increased illness and is incurable |
ciliate | of or having cilia; a cell having hairlike projections on its surface. |
contaminate | to make unclean; to introduce microorganisms into an area where they did not live before. |
convalescence | a period of recovery at the end of an illness |
cyst wall | an abnormal sac formed by microorganisms when they are inactive or dormant that may serve as a reproductive structure. |
cytotoxic drugs | chemical substances used to destroy or prevent multiplication of particular cells; used in treatment of cancer. |
dementia | deterioration or loss of intellectual faculties, reasoning power, memory and will, due to organic brain disease |
disinfectant | an agent that destroys or inhibits the microorganism causing disease. |
dormant | concealed, inactive potential |
enteric | pertaining to the intestine |
enzymes | proteins produced by living cells that assist in chemical actions on organic matter; present in all living organisms. |
epidemic | a disease that is widespread and rapidly affects a great number of people in one location. |
etiology | the causes of disease. |
exudate | types of fluid, cell or other substance with a high content of cellular material from blood vessels |
fatigue | a state of exhaustion, or a loss of strength or endurance |
flagella | whiplike projections on protozoa, whose movements propel the organism |
flora | plant life adopted for living in a specific environment; may be microscopic in size |
fomes | inanimate object that may be contaminated with infectious organisms and thus serves to transmit disease. |
ganglion | a knot or knotlike mass; om neurology designates a group of nerve cell bodies. |
gastrointestinal | pertaining to the stomach and intestines |
germicide | substance that kills bacteria on contact |
helminth | a class parasitic worms |
hemophillia | a group of hereditary bleeding disorders in which there is a deficiency of one of the factors necessary for blood to coagulate or clot. |
heterosexual | sexual orientation toward the opposite sex |
histamine | a compound found in all cells produced by the breakdown of histidine; functions of dilate capillaries, to constrict bronchial smooth muscles, and to induce gastric secretion. |
host | an organism in which another usually a parasitic, organism is nourished and harbored. |
immunosuppression | the administration of agents tat interfere with the ability of the immune system to respond to antigenic stimulation by inhibiting cellular and humoral immunity |
infectious disease | one due to organisms ranging in size from submicroscopic viruses to parasitic worms visible with the naked eye |
inflammatory disease | the reaction of the tissue to injury, characterized by heat, swelling, redness, pain and loss of function. |
interferon | a protein formed by animal cells in the presence of a virus that prevents viral reproduction |
intravenous | within the vein |
isolation | separation of patient from rest of community or from other patients to prevent the spread of communicable diseases or for other reasons. |
latent phase | when disease is not manifesting sysptoms |
limphocyte | a leukocyte (white blood cell) that participates in humoral and cell-mediated immunity |
lysis | disintegration or dissolution, as cells, bacteria or tissue |
malaise | a feeling of bodily weakness or discomfort that often proceeds illness |
metabolic rate | the amount of energy liberated or expended in a given period of time |
microbe | a microorganism |
mucous membrane | any one of four kinds of thin sheets of protective kinds of thin sheets of protective tissue that cover or line various parts of the body |
neuropathy | any disease affecting neurons |
nosocomial | infections acquired while receiving medical care |
parasite | an organism that spends part of its existence on or in another organism, its host, at whose expense it obtains nourishment and is able to survive. |
pathogenic | capable of producing a disease |
pericardial | referring to the sac that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great vessels of the heart |
peristalsis | progressive wave of contractions seen in tubes, such as gastric intestinal tract, that provide the means by which contents of the tube are forced toward an opening |
phagocyte | a cell that is able to surround, engulf and digest microorganisms and cellular debris |
prostaglandins | one of several potent, hormone-like, unsaturated fatty acids that act to stimulate uterine and other smooth muscle contractility, to lower blood pressure, and to effect action of hormones in the body. |
protozoa | broad, basic classification of unicellular animals |
pseudopod | prodtruding process of protozoa used for purpose of movement and obtaining nourishment |
purulent | producing or containing pus |
replicate | to repeat, duplicate or reproduce |
resistance | the means by which the body defends itself against invasion by infections organisms and their toxic byproducts |
serum | any serous fluid (the clear portion of any animal liquid) |
staphylococcal infection | an infection caused by a pathogenic species of staphylococci commonly characterized by formation of avscesses of the skin or other body organs |
synovial fluid | a transparent, viscous fluid secreted by the synovial membranes that acts as a lubricant for many joints, bursae and tendons |
transducer | any of the various devices that transmit energy from one system to another |
transmission | transfer of disease from one person to another |
tuberculosis | a chronic granulomatous infection caused by an acid fast bacillus that affects the lungs or other body organs |
universal precautions | a widespread set of procedures and regulations instituted for thesafe handling and disposal of blood and body substanses |
vector | an agent that carries microorganisms from an infected person to another, previously uninfected |
vegetative | inactive |
vehicle | a transporting agent |
virulence | the disease-producing power of a microorganism |
virus | minute microorganism that cannot be seen under an ordinary microscope |