Asepsis
the condition in which pathogens are absent or controlled
Sepsis
the body's response to an infection which is marked by fever or increased white blood cell count. result of invading pathogen
Pathogen
microorganisms capable of causing disease
Virus
one of the smallest known infectious agents that require living cells for growth and reproduction
bacteria
major disease causing single celled orgnaisms.
fungi
multicelled organisms, pertains to yeast and molds, many do not cause disease
protozoa
single celled organisms commonly found in soil and water, most are not disease causing
Joseph Lister
British surgeon doubted "bad oxygen" theory. discovered use of antiseptics to control surgery related infections. applied Louis Pasteur's theory to his own research
Louis Pasteur
French Chemist, discovered "germ theory of disease" thought most infectious diseases were caused by germs. Discovered weakened forms of microbes can be use for vaccines.
Ingnaz Semmelweis
Hungarian Physician discovered hand washing reduced the spread of puperal fever.
Robert Koch
German bacteriologist. established bacterial causes of many infectious diseases. discovered microorganisms that cause wound infections and TB
Sir Alexander Flemming
Discovered Penicillin
microorganism
tiny living creatures, such as bacteria and viruses
pathogen
microorganisms capable of causing diseases
blood borne pathogen
disease causing microorganisms that are carried and transmitted through contact with the host's blood
host
the body of a human, animal or insect which sustains the growth of a pathogen allowing it to multiply
virulence
a microorganisms disease producing power
vector
a living organisms such as an insect that carries microorganisms from one infected host to another
Fomite
inanimate objects that are contaminated with infectious organisms that can transmit disease
Normal Flora
beneficial bacteria found in our bodies which help create a barrier against pathogens
MRSA
Methicillan resistant staphylococcus aureus
VRE
vancomycin resistant enterococci
MRSA / VRE risk factors
Age / chronic conditions / previous use or misuse of antibiotics / invasive procedure
the disease process
microorganisms need following conditions to survive and multiply. temperature of 98.6 F / neutral PH / moist and dark environment
immunity
the condition in which the body is resistant to pathogens and diseases they cause
oppertunistic infection
microorganisms that are able to cause disease when a hosts resistance is low
skin
the bodys first line of defense. intact skin forms a barrier to invading pathogens
tears / saliva
both contain antimicrobial proteins
cilia
lines the lungs "sweeps" pathogens out of the lungs
stomach
contains hydrochloric acid and other enzymes which kill many pathogens
factors that compromise the body's defense
poor health / drug use / smoking / poor nutrition / injuries (especially with break in skin)
Leukocytes
white blood cells which help defend our body against invading pathogens
non specific defenses
does not distinguish one type of threat from another. rapid response to a wide variety of pathogens
inflamation
the body's response which follows an injury or by an invading pathogen
signs of inflamation
swelling / redness / pain / heat
Phagocytosis
the process in which phagocytes engulf pathogens
Phagocytes
white blood cells that wander our bodies and attack foreign invaders and bacteria
Neutrophils
the first leukocyte to arrive at the site of an injury or infection
Monocytes
formed in bone marrow, circulate through the blood system, enter tissues and become macrophages
Macrophages
enlarged monocytes
antigen
a foreign substance that stimulates white blood cells to produce antibodies
antibody
part of the body's defense system. a protein that attaches itself to foreign substances in an effort to destroy them. involves T and B lymphocytes
T cells (cell mediated immunity)
directly attacks pathogen.
Helper T cells
activate "killer T cells", bind with antigen and destroy it
surpressor T cells
slows or stops attack
memory T cells
formed after pathogen is killed
Reservoir Host
a host capable of sustaining growth of a pathogen
sub clinical case
a carrier who's symptoms to an infection are so slight the symptoms may not be noticable
endogenous infection
an infection that occurs when normally harmless bacteria become pathogenic
exogenous infection
when a pathogen is introduced from outside the body