acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
a disease that breaks down the body's immune system. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
acquired immunity
immunity that the body develops after overcoming a disease, through inoculation (such as flu vaccinations), or through exposure to natural allergens, such as pollen, cat dander, and ragweed.
allergy
reaction due to extreme sensitivity to certain foods, chemicals, or other normally harmless substances.
antiseptics
chemical germicides formulated for use on skin; registered and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
asymptomatic
showing no symptoms or signs of infection.
bacilli
singular: bacillus. Short, rod-shaped bacteria. They are the most common bacteria and produce diseases such as tetanus (lockjaw), typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and diphtheria.
bacteria
one-celled microorganisms that have both plant and animal characteristics. Some are harmful; some are harmless.
bacterial spores
bacterial capable of producing a protective coating that allows them to withstand very harsh environments, and shed the coating when conditions become more favorable.
bactericidal
capable of destroying bacteria.
binary fission
the division of bacteria cells into two new cells called daughter cells.
biofilms
colonies of bacteria that adhere together and adhere to environmental surfaces.
bloodborne pathogens
disease-causing microorganisms carried in the body by blood or body fluids, such as hepatitis and HIV.
chelating soaps
also known as chelating detergents; they break down stubborn films and remove the residue of pedicure products such as scrubs, salts, and masks.
clean (cleaning)
a mechanical process (scrubbing) using soap and water or detergent and water to remove all visible dirt, debris, and many disease-causing germs. Cleaning also removes invisible debris that interfere with disinfection. Cleaning is what cosmetologists are r
cocci
round-shaped bacteria that appear singly (alone) or in groups. The three types of cocci are staphylococci, streptococci, and diplococci.
contagious disease
also known as communicable disease; disease that is spread from one person to another person. Some of the more contagious diseases are the common cold, ringworm, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), viral infections, and natural nail or tow and foot infections.
contamination
the presence, or the reasonably anticipated presence, of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface or visible debris or residues such as dust, hair, and skin.
decontamination
the removal of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface and the removal of visible debris or residue such as dust, hair, and skin.
diagnosis
determination of the nature of a disease from its symptoms and/or diagnostic tests. Federal regulations prohibit salon professionals from performing a diagnosis.
diplococci
spherical bacteria that grow in pairs and cause diseases such as pneumonia.
direct transmission
transmission of blood or body fluids through touching (including shaking hands), kissing, coughing, sneezing, and talking.
disease
an abnormal condition of all or part of the body, or its systems or organs, that makes the body incapable of carrying on normal function.
disinfectants
chemical products approved by the EPA designed to destroy most bacteria (excluding spores), fungi, and viruses on surfaces.
disinfection
a chemical process that destroys most, but not necessarily all, harmful organisms on environmental surfaces. The pathogens of concern in the cosmology industry are effectively destroyed by the disinfection process, which is required in all states.
efficacy
the ability to produce an effect.
exposure incident
contact with non-intact (broken) skin, blood, body fluid or other potentially infectious materials that is the result of the performance of an employee's duties.
flagella
slender, hairlike extensions used by bacilli and spirilla for locomotion (moving about). May also be referred to as cilia.
folliculitis barbae
synonym Tinea barbae. Also known as barbers itch, inflammation of the hair follicles caused by a bacterial infection from ingrown hairs. The cause is typically from ingrown hair due to shaving or other epilation methods.
fungi
single-cell organisms that grow in irregular masses that include molds, mildews, and yeasts; can produce contagious diseases such as ringworm.
fungicidal
capable of destroying fungi.
hepatitis
a bloodborne virus that causes disease and can damage the liver.
hospital disinfectants
disinfectants that are effective for cleaning blood and body fluids.
human immunodeficiency virus
abbreviated HIV; virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
human papilloma virus
abbreviated HPV; a virus that causes warts in humans, but is also the cause of cervical cancer in women. When the virus infects the bottom of the foot and resembles small black dots, usually in clustered groups,it is also called plantar warts.
immunity
the ability of the body to destroy and resist infection. Immunity against disease can be either natural or acquired, and is a sign of good health.
indirect transmission
transmission of blood or body fluids through contact with an intermediate contaminated object such as a razor, extractor, nipper, or an environmental surface.
infection
the invasion of body tissues by disease-causing pathogens.
infection control
are the methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms.
infectious
caused by or capable of being transmitted by infection.
infectious disease
disease caused by pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms that enter the body. An infectious disease may be spread from one person to another person.
inflammation
a condition in which the body reacts to injury, irritation, or infection; characterized by redness, heat, pain, and swelling.
local infection
an infection, such as a pimple or abscess, that is confined to a particular part of the body and appears as a lesion containing pus.
material safety data sheet
abbreviated MSDS; replaced by Safety Data Sheet; information compiled by the manufacturer about product safety, including the names of hazardous ingredients, safe handling and use procedures, precautions to reduce the risk of accidental harm or overexposu
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
abbreviated MRSA; a type of infectious bacteria that is highly resistant to conventional treatments due to incorrect doses or choice of antibiotic.
microorganism
any organism of microscopic or submicroscopic size.
mildew
a type of fungus that affects plants or grows on inanimate objects, but does not cause human infections in the salon.
motility
self-movement
multi use items
also known as reusable items; items that can be cleaned, disinfected and used on more than one person, even if the item is accidentally exposed to blood or body fluid.
mycobacterium fortuitum
a microscopic germ that normally exists in tap water in small numbers.
natural immunity
immunity that is partly inherited and partly developed through healthy living.
nonpathogenic
harmless microorganisms that may perform useful functions and are safe to come in contact with since they do not cause disease or harm.
nonporous
an item that is made or constructed of a material that has no pores or openings and cannot absorb liquids.
occupational disease
illness resulting from conditions associated with employment, such as prolonged and repeated overexposure to certain products or ingredients
parasites
organisms that grow, feed, and shelter on or in another organism (referred to as the host), while contributing nothing to the survival of that organism. Parasites must have a host to survive.
parasitic disease
disease caused by parasites, such as lice and mites.
pathogenic
harmful microorganisms that can cause disease or infection in humans when they invade the body.
pathogenic disease
disease produced by organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
phenolic disinfectants
powerful tuberculocidal disinfectants. They are a form of formaldehyde, have a very high pH, and can damage the skin and eyes.
porous
made or constructed of a material that has pores or openings. Porous items are absorbent.
pus
a fluid created by infection.
quaternary ammonium compounds
commonly known as "quays"; are products made of quaternary ammonium cations and are designed for disinfection of nonporous surgaces. They are appropriate for use in non-critical (non-invasive) environments and are effective against most pathogens of conce
safety data sheet
abbreviated SDS; required by law for all products sold. SDSs include safety information about products complied by the manufacturer, including hazardous ingredients, safe use and handling procedures, proper disposal guidelines, precautions to reduce the r
sanitizing
a chemical process for reducing the number of disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to a safe level
scabies
a contagious skin disease that is cause by the itch mite, which burrows under the skin .
single-use times
also known as disposable items; items that cannot be used more than once. These items cannot be properly cleaned so that all visible residue is removed-such as pumice stones used for pedicures-or they are damaged or contaminated by cleaning and disinfecti
sodium hypochlorite
common household bleach; an effective disinfectant for the salon.
spirilla
spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria that cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease.
standard precaution
abbreviates SP; precautions such as wearing personal protective equipment to prevent skin and mucous membranes where contact with a client's blood, body fluids, secretions (except sweat), excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes is likely. Worker
staphylococci
pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like a bunch of grapes. They cause abscesses, pustules, and boils.
sterilization
the process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores.
streptococci
Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines resembling a string of beads. They can cause infections such as strep throat and blood poisoning.
systemic infection
infection that affects the body as a whole, often due to under-functioning or over-functioning of internal glands or organs. This disease is carried through the blood stream or the lymphatic system.
tinea barbae
a superficial fungal infection caused by a variety of dermatophytes that commonly affects the skin. It is primarily limited to the bearded areas of the face and neck or around the scalp. A person with this condition may have deep, inflamed or non-inflamed
tinea capitis
a fungal infection of the scalp characterized by red papules, or spots, at the opening of the hair follicles
tinea pedis
a ringworm fungus of the foot
toxins
various poisonous substances produced by some microorganisms (bacteria and viruses).
tuberculocidal disinfectants
disinfectants that kill the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
tuberculosis
a disease caused by bacteria that are transmitted through coughing or sneezing.
virucidal
capable of destroying viruses
virus
a parasitic submicroscopic particle that infects and resides in cells of biological organisms.