Infection Control

Contaminated

Any object that contains pathogens

Cocci

Bacteria round or spherical in shape

Pathogen

Organism that causes infection or disease

Anaerobic

Organism that lives and reproduces in the absence of oxygen

Sterilization

Process that destroys all microorganisms including spores and viruses

Antisepsis

Process that prevents or inhibits the growth of pathogenic organisms

Protozoa

one-celled animal-like organisms found in decayed materials and contaminated water

Endogenous

Infection or disease that orginates within the body

Nosoocomial

Infection present in a health care facility and transmitted by health care workers to the patient

Opportunistic

Infection that occurs when the body defenses are weak

Aerobic

Requires oxygen

Bacilli

Rod shaped

Fungi

Simple plantlike organisms such as yeasts and molds

Viruses

Smallest microorganisms, visible only by using an electron microscope

Spirilla

Spiral/Corckscrew