Absence of germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause disease
Asepsis
Involves practices or procedures that reduce the number and transmission of pathogens
Medical Asepsis
Involves practices or procedures that render and keep objects and areas free from all pathogens
Surgical Asepsis
Occurs when viruses, bacteria, or other microbes enter your body and begin to multiply
Infection
A life-threatening condition that develops from blood poisoning, usually triggered by local infection (pneumonia, infected wound, UTI)
bacteria from local infection spread toxic substances in the blood stream
Sepsis
Hospital acquired infection
Nosocomial Infection
Person or animal who does not manifest signs of illness but harbors pathogens within
Carrier
Separation of persons with communicable diseases from other persons so that either direct/indirect transmission to susceptible persons is prevented
Isolation
A process by which something is rendered unclean or unsterile
Contamination
Process that eliminates some pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores on inanimate objects
Disinfection
A process by which all microorganisms, including their spores, are destroyed
Sterilizaton
Chain of Infection
Agent-Reservoir-Portal of Exit-Mode of Transmission-Portal of Entry-Susceptible Host
Occurs when there is physical contact between an infected person/contaminated object and another person
Contact Transmission
Occurs when there is physical contact (touch) between an infected person and a susceptible person.
Direct Contact
Occurs when there is no direct human to human contact
(when an individual touches a contaminated object)
Indirect Contact
Occurs when an infected person coughs and sneezes creating tiny drops which carry germs short distance (1-2m) to another person’s eyes, nose, and mouth
Droplet Transmission
Occurs when small particles in the air containing virus are inhaled into a person’s respiratory system
Airborne Transmission
Infectious agents are transmitted by the blood-sucking insects. (mosquitoes,bugs,ticks)
Vector-Borne
Indirect transmission of an infectious agent that occurs when a vehicle (or fomite) touches a person’s body or is ingested. (beddings, clothes, catheters, foods, water)
Vehicle Borne Transmission
Interval between the entrance of the pathogens/microorganisms into the body and the appearance of first symptoms.(eg. common colds 1-2 days, influenza 1-3 days, chicken pox 2-3 weeks, mumps 15-18 days
Incubation
Interval from the onset of non-specific signs and symptoms(low grade fever, malaise, fatigue) to the appearance of more specific signs and symptoms.(during this time microorganisms grow and multiply and the patient maybe more capable of spreading disease to others
Prodromal
Interval when the patient manifest signs and symptoms specific to the type of infection (eg. common colds is manifested by a sorethroat, sinus congestion, rhinitis
mumps is manifested by ear ache, high grade fever)
Illness
Stage where the immune system begins to bring microbial replication under control which lead to lessening of signs and symptoms associated with the disease
Decline
This is the final stage of the disease process where the microbial replication is fully stopped and the person returns to the pre-illnes stage (a person can return to their normal function.)
Convalescent
