Health Science - Infection Control Vocab

Not requiring oxygen in order to live & grow; able to thrive in absence of oxygen:

• aerobic

• anaerobic

Microorganism, usually bacterium, that causes disease:

• mold

• virus

• microbe

• bacteria

Furry growth of fungus especially occurring in moist, warm environments:

• cocci

• mold

• flagella

• virus

Personal protective equipment:

• PPE

• OSHA

• HCV

• HBV

Accidental puncture of skin with an unsterilized instrument:

• contaminated

• bloodborne pathogens

• opportunistic infection

• needlestick

Used to prevent fungal growth:

• antiviral

• antibacterial

• antifungal

Disease producing organisms:

• microorganism

• pathogens

• antibiotics

• virus

Small, living plant or animal not visible to naked eye:

• virus

• nonpathogen

• bloodborne pathogens

• microorganism

Piece of equipment used to sterilize articles by way of steam under pressure and/or dry heat:

• autoclave

• standard precautions

• aseptic technique

• opportunistic infection

Bacteria with a rigid spiral structure:

• pathogen

• cocci

• spirilla

• flagella