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Infection Control
Dental Professionals Vocabulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Acquired immunity | Immunity that is developed during a person’s lifetime. |
Acute infection | An infection of short duration that is often severe. |
Artificially acquired immunity | Immunity that results from a vaccination. |
Blood-borne disease | Disease that is caused by microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood. |
Blood-borne pathogens | Disease-causing organisms transferred through contact with blood or other body fluids. |
Chain of infection | Conditions that all must be present for infection to occur. |
Chronic infection | An infection of long duration. |
Communicable disease | Condition caused by an infection that can be spread from person to person or through contact with body fluids. |
Contaminated waste | Items such as gloves and patient napkins that may contain potentially infectious body fluids of patients. |
Direct contact | Touching or contact with a patient’s blood or saliva. |
Droplet infection | An infection that occurs through mucosal surfaces of the eyes, nose, or mouth. |
Epidemiologic studies | Studies of the patterns and causes of diseases. |
Hazardous waste | Waste that poses a danger to humans or to the environment. |
Immunity | Ability of the body to resist disease. |
Indirect contact | Touching or contact with a contaminated surface or instrument. |
Infection control | Policies and practices designed to prevent the spread of infectious agents. |
Infection prevention | Ultimate goal of all infection control procedures and policies. |
Infectious disease | Disease that is communicable. |
Infectious waste | Waste that is capable of transmitting an infectious disease. |
Inherited immunity | Immunity that is present at birth |
Latent infection | Persistent infection with recurrent symptoms that “come and go.” |
Naturally acquired immunity | Immunity that occurs when a person has contracted and is recovering from a disease. |
Occupational exposure | Any reasonably anticipated skin, eye, or mucous membrane contact or percutaneous injury involving blood or any other potentially infectious materials. |