STUDY GUIDE
BACTERIOLOGY & Infection Control
Terms and definitions:
BACTERIOLOGY: The Scientific study of microorganisms
GENERAL INFECTION: Infection throughout the body such as blood poisoning
PATHOGENIC: Harmful disease producing bacteria
CONTAGIOUS: Will spread from person to person
NONPATHOGENIC: Harmless bacteria
IMMUNITY: The ability to fight off or resist infections and disease and to destroy bacteria that have
entered the body is known as
NATURAL IMMUNITY: Born with the ability to resist a disease
SAPROPHYTES: Nonpathogenic bacteria which live on dead matter and do not produce disease
PARASITES: Pathogenic bacteria which are harmful and disease producing when they invade plant or
animal tissues
ACQUIRED IMMUNITY: The condition that develops after the body has overcome a disease or has been
inoculated for disease
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, it breaks down the body’s immune system
COCCI: Round shaped bacteria that is found in dirt or the air
HIV VIRUS: Human Immunodeficiency Virus that causes AIDS
BACILLA: Rod shaped bacteria causes tetanus, influenza, & tuberculosis
LOCAL INFECTION: Infection is contained to a single area such as a pimple, boil, infected cuticle/finger,
or an infected cut somewhere on the body
SPIRILLA: Corkscrew or Spiral shaped bacteria forms in groups, causes syphilis
VIRUS: Living organisms that are smaller than bacteria, so small they can pass through pores of a
porcelain filter
STAPHYLOCOCCI: Pus forming bacteria that grows in bunches or clusters, causes boils, pustules, &
abscesses
SPORE FORMING: When conditions are unfavorable, bacteria can become inactive and form a covering
to protect them from the unfavorable conditions, spores can not be destroyed by anything except
sterilization
STREPTOCOCCI: Round shaped bacteria that forms in chains, causes strep throat
DISEASE: Is caused by pathogenic bacteria
DIPLOCOCCI: Round shaped bacteria forms in groups of two and causes pneumonia
ANTITOXINS: Used in inoculations to help body fight off infections, the body will build up antitoxins
MITOSIS: Reproduction process of bacteria in which cells divide in half which are called daughter cells
HEPATITIS: 3 types, A, B (HBV) C (HCV) disease marked by inflammation of the liver caused by a virus
similar to HIV/AIDS in transmission. Present in all body fluids.
SCABIES: Caused by an animal parasite called itch mite that burrows underneath the skin
Disinfectants:
BACTERICIDAL: Will kill bacteria
TUBERCULOCIDAL: Will kill tuberculosis
VIRUCIDAL: Will kill Viruses
FUNGI: Another term for vegetable parasite
DECONTAMINATION: Removing pathogens and other substances from tools or surfaces
STERILIZATION: Completely destroys all living organisms including bacterial spores
CONTAMINANTS: Anything that will make an implement impure like pathogens, dirt, oils etc.
DISINFECTION: Kills most of the living organisms, does not kill bacterial spores
PEDICULOSIS CAPITIS: A skin disease caused by an infestation of head lice
(Technical term for head lice)
Questions to know:
1. How can you transfer AIDS? Sexual contact with infected person, transfusions of infected blood,
sharing or dirty hypodermic needles.
2. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is caused by what virus?
HIV virus
3. The person that can transmit germs to others is known as? Carrier
4. When the body has overcome a disease or has been inoculated is known as?
Acquired immunity
5. The ability to fight off disease or have resistance to infection is known as what? Immunity
6. What are so small they can pass through a porcelain filter? Viruses
7. What origin do bacteria come from? Vegetable Origin
8. What is pus-forming bacteria growing in bunches or clusters called?
Staphylococci
9. Cells divide into how many parts when reproducing? By dividing in half process is called Mitosis
10. Which bacteria live on dead matter and do not produce disease?
Saprophytes
11. What are the three levels of decontamination? Sanitation, Disinfection and Sterilization
12. What does OSHA stand for? Occupational Safety and Health Administration
13. The OSHA Act of 1970 established what? Requires manufacturers to assess hazards associated with
their products
14. Quats is a short term for what? Quaternary Ammonium Compounds,
nontoxic, odorless, fast acting, good for disinfecting implements for 10-15 minutes
15. How long do you disinfect implements for? A minimum of 10 minutes
16. What is Sodium Hypochlorite? Household Bleach
17. What are Phenols?
Are caustic poisons that can be safe and effective if used according to
directions, 5% solutions are used mostly for metal implements What do they do to rubber and plastic
materials? They will harm them making them become
18. Alcohol should be what strength to be effective? At least 70%
19. What product is no longer considered safe for use in the salon? Formalin
20. Germs are also called what? Bacteria
21. What is meant by UNIVERSAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS? A set of guidelines published by the
Centers for Disease Control ad Prevention that require the employer and employees to assume
that all human blood and body fluids are infected with HIV,HBV or other blood borne pathogens.
USP include hand-washing, wearing disposable gloves, wearing personal protective equipment
such as goggles; injury protection and proper handling and disposal of needles and other sharp
instruments and products that have been contaminated by blood or other body fluids.