Sterile Procedures
LESSON 1: Communicable Diseases
1-2
1-2. DEFINITIONS
Some of the terms related to infection are defined below:
a. Antibiotic. An antibiotic is a substance produced by microorganisms, which kills bacteria and other microorganisms. It is used in treating infectious diseases.
b. Antiseptic. An antiseptic is an agent that may kill pathogens, but more often retards their growth.
c. Aseptic. Aseptic is a state of being sterile (free from septic material).
d. Contaminated. Contaminated means compromised by the presence of bacteria or harboring pathogenic agents.
e. Infection. An infection is produced by an invasion of disease-producing pathogens which multiple in the body.
f. Malaise. Malaise means body discomfort.
g. Morbidity. Morbidity refers to the condition of being diseased or to the ratio of sick to well persons. This is not to be confused with mortality, which is the death rate.
h. Pathogen. A pathogen is a disease-producing organism.
i. Phagocyte. A phagocyte is a form of leukocyte (white blood cell) that ingests microorganisms or other cells.
j. Septic. Septic refers to something that is affected by pathogens, their toxins, or to something putrid.
k. Septicemia. Septicemia refers to the widespread distribution of infective bacteria through the bloodstream. It is also called "blood poisoning."
l. Sterile. Sterile means free from live pathogens and other live microorganisms.
