Infection Flashcards
bacteremia
condition resulting from microorganisms escaping the lymph nodes and reaching the bloodstream, which may lead to sepsis.
carrier
human or animal that harbors an infectious microorganisms but does not show active evidence of the disease
colonization
condition in which microorganisms are present, but the host does not manifest signs or symptoms of infection
communicable diseases
infections transmitted from one source to another
community-acquired infections
diseases that are not present or incubating before care from one infected person or reservoir to another
contagious diseases
communicable diseases that can spread rapidly among individuals in close proximity to each other
culture
a test used to identify bacteria within a specimen taken from a person with symptoms of an infection
emerging infectious diseases
disorder caused by microorganisms that are new or have had a resurgence in the last two decades
epidemics
rapidly spreading infectious disease in a particular region
fomites
nonliving environment in which an infectious agent can survive and reproduce
health care-associated infections
acquired while being cared for in a health care agency, which were not active, incubatory, or chronic at the time of admission
host
person on or in whom a microorganism resides
immunizations
vaccines that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against a specific disease organism
infection
invasion of the body with pathogens or their toxins
leukocytosis
increased number of leukocytes above normal limits
method of transmission
method by which microorganisms are transferred or moved from a reservoir to a susceptible host
microorganisms
potentially infectious agents that are so small they can be seen only with a microscope; commonly called “germs.”
multidrug resistance
ability of some types of bacteria to remain unaffected by several antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics
nonpathogens
microorganisms that are generally harmless to healthy humans
opportunistic infections
condition in which nonpathogenic or remotely pathogenic microorganisms take advantage of a favorable situation and overwhelm the host; also called superinfections
pandemic
rapidly spreading disease infecting large numbers of people throughout the world
pathogens
microorganisms that have a high potential to cause infectious diseases
phagocytosis
process of engulfing and digesting bacteria and foreign material
portal of entry
route through which an infectious agent gains entrance into a susceptible host
portal of exit
route through which an infectious agent exits from a reservoir
prion
protein that does not contain nucleic acid and that, after undergoing a mutant change, is capable of becoming an infectious agent
reemerging infectious diseases
disorder caused by microorganisms that are new or have had a resurgence in the last two decades within and beyond a geographic range
reservoir
human, animal, nonliving environment in which an infectious agent can survive and reproduce
sensitivity
studies performed to determine which antibiotic inhibits the growth of a nonviral microorganism and will be most effective in treating an infection
sepsis
systemic inflammatory response syndrome resulting from infection
septicemia
condition resulting from microorganisms escaping the lymph nodes and reaching the bloodstream, which may lead to sepsis
severe sepsis
preseptic shock condition that develops when sepsis is combined with organ hypoperfusion
susceptibility
potential for infection or disease
transmission-based precautions
actions that interfere with the manner in which a particular pathogen is spread
virulence
power of a microorganism to produce disease
zoonotic pathogens
microorganisms that spread to animals and then to humans
