Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases

Section 10 - Glossary

Acute

An infection that has a sudden onset and lasts a limited period of time, usually days or a few weeks.

Alcohol-Based Hand Rub

Products that can be used to clean hands and perform the same function as soap and water. These products most commonly have 70% alcohol as the active ingredient.

Anal Area

The area around where the stool comes out, also called rectal area.

Antibiotic

Powerful medications that fight infection-causing bacteria. Antibiotics are used to treat infections/diseases caused by bacteria, but they cannot kill viruses and cannot cure or stop the spread of diseases caused by viruses.

Antibiotic Misuse

Taking or prescribing antibiotics when they are not needed (such as for a viral infection), stopping antibiotics when feeling better and not finishing the prescription, saving antibiotics for a future illness, or giving someone antibiotics prescribed for someone else.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Bacteria that have mutated (or changed) so that antibiotics that are meant to kill them are no longer effective. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria require stronger, more expensive medications that sometimes must be given in a person’s vein (IV).

Asymptomatic

Without symptoms. For example, a child may have hepatitis A virus in the stool and not have symptoms, but still be able to infect others.

Axillary Area

Armpit.

Bacteria

Germs that can cause a variety of infections and can also survive in and out of the body. They are much larger than viruses, and they can often be treated effectively with antibiotics.

Body Fluids

Urine, stool (feces), blood, eye and nasal secretions, wound drainage, and saliva.

Bronchiolitis

An infection of the smaller airways of the lungs; most commonly found with a viral infection.

Bronchitis, Acute (Chest Cold)

Inflammation or swelling of the tubes leading into the lungs. Often caused by a viral infection, therefore, antibiotics are not needed.

Caregiver

An adult, such as parent, guardian, foster parent, or head of household who attends to the needs of an infant or child.

Carrier

A person who has no symptoms of disease but who is infected with a specific germ and can spread the disease to others. For example, some children may be carriers of Giardia intestinalis (parasite) and have no symptoms.

Cellulitis

An infection involving the skin and area below the skin caused by specific bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae).

Chronic

An infection or illness that lasts a long time (months or years).

Cleaning

The removal of dirt, debris, waste material (e.g., blood, urine, and stool), and a large number of germs by scrubbing using soap/detergent and water. Vacuuming is also a form of cleaning.

Colonization

When bacteria are present on or in the body without causing illness (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae).

Communicable Disease

Illness caused by germs (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) that can be spread from person to person or by touching objects contaminated with body fluids. Illness can be spread from infected pets. Many communicable diseases are reportable to the local or state health department.

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)

Redness and swelling of the delicate tissue which lines the eyelids and covers the eyeball (conjunctiva).

Contagious Period

The period of time when an infected person is capable of spreading infection to another person.

Contamination

The presence of infectious germs in or on the body, on environmental surfaces, on articles of clothing, or in food or water.

Croup

Spasms of the airway that cause difficult breathing and a cough sounding like a seal's bark. Viruses most often cause croup; therefore, antibiotics are not needed.

Diarrhea

Increased number of stools compared with a person's normal pattern, along with decreased stool form and/or watery, bloody, or mucus-containing stools.

Disinfection

A physical or chemical process that eliminates virtually all disease-causing germs on environmental surfaces, except bacterial spores.

Encephalitis

Inflammation (swelling) of the brain which can be caused by a number of agents such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

Epidemiology

The scientific study of the occurrence and distribution of diseases in populations.

Exemption

Written documentation of refusal of vaccine administration for religious, medical, or philosophical reasons.

Exclusion (Due to Illness)

Denying admission of an ill child or staff member to a child care, preschool, school, or worksite.

Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB)

Is a relatively rare type of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB). It is resistant to almost all drugs used to treat TB, including the two best first-line drugs: isoniazid and rifampin. XDR TB is also resistant to the best second-line medications: fluoroquinolones and at least one of three injectable drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin). Drug-susceptible (regular) TB and XDR TB are spread the same way. TB germs are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings. These germs can float in the air for several hours, depending on the environment.

Persons who breathe in the air containing these TB germs can become infected. Because XDR TB is resistant to the most powerful first-line and second-line drugs, patients are left with treatment options that are much less effective and often have worse treatment outcomes. XDR TB is of special concern for persons with HIV infection or other conditions that can weaken the immune system. These persons are more likely to develop TB disease once they are infected, and also have a higher risk of death once they develop TB disease.

Febrile

Having a fever.

Feces

Another name for stool or bowel movements consisting of waste material that is formed and not used by the body.

Fever

An elevation of body temperature. This could be due to overheating, reactions to medications, or a response to infection. The American Academy of Pediatrics defines fever as a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius. Body temperature along with signs and symptoms of illness should be evaluated jointly to determine if exclusion is necessary.

Fungi

Plant-like organisms, such as yeasts, molds, mildew, and mushrooms, which get their nutrition from other living organisms or from dead organic matter.

Germs

A common term used to describe bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, which may be caused by a virus.

Hygiene

Protective measures taken by individuals to promote health and limit the spread of infectious diseases, for example, handwashing and covering your cough.

Immune Globulin (IG)

An antibody preparation made from human plasma, providing temporary protection against diseases. For example, health officials may offer immune globulin injections to children and staff in a child care setting when cases of hepatitis A occur.

Immunity

The body's ability to fight a particular infection. For example, a child acquires immunity to diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, and pertussis after natural infection or by vaccination. Newborns initially have the same immune status as their mothers. This immunity usually disappears within the first 6 months of life.

Immunizations (Vaccinations)

Vaccines that are given to children and adults to help them develop protection (antibodies) against specific infections. Vaccines may contain an inactivated or killed agent or a weakened live organism

Immunocompromised

The state of having a weakened body defense (decreased immune responses) against diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses.

Incubation Period

The time between exposure to an infectious agent and the beginning of symptoms.

Infection

A condition caused by the multiplication of an infectious agent in the body.

Infectious

Capable of causing an infection.

Infestation

Common term referring to the presence of parasites, such as lice or scabies.

Influenza

An acute viral disease of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus, also known as “Seasonal Influenza”. Influenza should not be confused with a bacterial infection called Haemophilus influenzae or with "stomach flu" (usually vomiting and diarrhea).

Jaundice

Yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin.

Low-Grade Fever

A fever that is slightly higher than normal.

Meningitis

A swelling or inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

Meningococcus

Neisseria meningitidis bacteria which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, or blood infections.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR TB)

Is TB that is resistant to at least two of the best anti-TB drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin. These drugs are considered first-line drugs and are used to treat all persons with TB disease.

Oral

Having to do with the mouth.

Over the Counter (OTC)

Any medication that can be purchased without a prescription.

Otitis Media

Inflammation or infection of the middle part of the ear. Ear infections may be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae. Typically, they are not contagious.

Parasite

An organism that can only live on or in another living organism.

Parotid Gland

A salivary gland situated at the base of each ear.

Pendiculosis

Another word for lice infestation.

Pandemic

A global disease outbreak especially refers to influenza.

Pneumonia

An acute or chronic disease marked by infection of the lung; may be caused by viruses, bacteria, or other germs and sometimes by physical or chemical irritants.

Prophylaxis (Preventive Treatment)

Measures taken before, during, or shortly after exposure to an infectious disease to try to prevent the disease. This may include medications or vaccinations.

Pustules

Pus-filled bumps on the skin.

Rash

A temporary eruption on the skin.

Rectal

Having to do with the rectum, the last 6 to 8 inches of the large intestine that serves to store solid waste until it leaves the body through the anus.

Respiratory System

The nose, ears, sinuses, throat, and lungs.

Sanitizing

The chemical process of reducing the number of disease-causing germs to a safe level on cleaned food contact surfaces and mouthed toys, objects, and surfaces.

Secretions

Wet material produced by cells or glands that has a specific purpose in the body, such as saliva.

Secretions

Wet material produced by cells or glands that has a specific purpose in the body, such as saliva.

Soiled

Contaminated with dirt; stool; urine; vomit; blood; saliva; or drainage from the eye, nose, or wound.

Sores

Open skin lesions usually caused by an infection.

Standard Precautions

Are used in many settings where there is a possibility of exposure to blood and body fluids (e.g., urine, stool, secretions from the nose and mouth, drainage from sores or eyes). One aspect of standard precautions is the use of barriers. The purpose of using barriers is to reduce the spread of germs to staff and children from known/unknown sources of infections and prevent a person with open cuts, sores, or cracked skin (non-intact skin) and their eyes, nose, or mouth (mucous membranes) from having contact with another person’s blood or body fluids.

Examples of barriers are gloves, safety needle/sharp devices and proper disposal of used needles and sharps, and CPR mask or shield.

Stool

Another name for feces or bowel movements consisting of waste material that is formed and not used by the body.

Suseptible

Any individual that has not had natural disease or who has not been vaccinated against a disease. Natural immunity may need to be documented in some instances.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. In most cases, TB is treatable; however, persons with TB can die if they do not get proper treatment.

Transmission

The spread of an infectious organism or germ from an infected person or animal or contaminated environmental surface to a person. Swimming in or drinking water from a contaminated water source can also spread organisms.

Vaccinations (Immunizations)

Varicella-Zoster

The herpes virus that causes chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (zoster).

Virus

A type of germ that lives within cells and is smaller than bacteria. Viruses can grow or reproduce only in living cells. Antibiotics will not fight against viruses - viral infections clear up on their own and antibiotics will not help.

Vomiting

The forcible expulsion of the contents of the stomach through the mouth.

Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases

Section 10 - Glossary

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