Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome
a disease caused by the HIV virus that breaks down the body's immune system. AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Reaction due to extreme sensitivity to certain foods, chemicals, or other normally harmless substances.
Chemical germicides formulated for use on skin; registered and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Shorts, rod-shaped bacteria; the most common bacteria; they produce diseases such as tetanus (lockjaw), typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and diphtheria
Slender, hair-like extensions that permit locomotion in certain bacteria; their whip-like motion moves bacteria in liquid
Round shaped bacteria that appear singly, alone, or in groups. The three types of cocci are staphylococci, streptococci, and diplococci.
Also known as communicable disease; disease that is spread from one person to another person. Some of the more contagious diseases are the common cold, ringworm, conjunctivitis, pinkeye, viral infections, and natural nail or toe and foot infections.
Determining the nature of a disease from its symptoms and/or diagnostic tests. Federal regulations prohibit salon professionals from performing a diagnosis.
Abnormal condition of all or part of the body, organ, or mind that makes it incapable of carrying out normal function.
Chemical agents that destroy most bacteria, fungi and viruses, but not spores, on surfaces
Chemical products that destroy all bacteria, fungi, and viruses, but not spores on surfaces.
Effectiveness with which a disinfecting solution kills germs, when used according to the label.
Contact with non-intact skin, blood, body fluid or other potentially infectious materials that results from performance of an employees duties.
Flagella (singular; flagellum)
Slender, hair-like extensions used by bacilli and spirilla for locomotion, moving about. May also be referred to as cilia.
Fungi (singular; flagellum)
Microscopic plant parasites, including molds, mildews, and yeasts; can produce contagious diseases such as ringworm.
human immunodeficiency virus
abbreviated HIV; virus that causes aquired immune deficiency syndrome, AIDS.
Ability of the body to destroy and resist infection. Immunity against disease can be either natural or acquired and is a sign of good health.
A condition in which the body reacts to injury or infection; characterized by redness, heat, pain, and swelling.
Type of fungus that affects plants or grows on inanimate objects, but does not cause human infections in the salon setting.
Material Data Safety Sheet
abbreviated MSDS; information about products compiled by manufacturer about product safety, including the names of hazardous ingredients, safe handling and use procedures, precautions to reduce the risk of accidental harm or overexposure, and flammability warnings.
Also known as reusable; Items that can be cleaned, disinfected, and used on more than one person, even if the item is exposed to blood or body fluid.
harmless microorganisms that may perfom useful functions and are safe to come in contact with since they do not cause disease or harm.
Illness resulting from conditions associated with employment, such as prolonged and repeated overexposure to certain products or ingredients.
Organisms that grow, feed, and shelter on or in another organism, referred to as the host, while contributing nothing to the survival of that organism. Parasites must have a host to survive.
Harmful microorganisms that can cause disease or infection in humans when they invade the body.
Powerful tuberculocidal disinfectants. They are a form of formaldehyde, have a very high pH and can damage the skin and eyes.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
also known as quats; disinfectant solution that are very effective when used properly int he salon
Also known as sanitizing; a chemical process for reducing the number of disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to a safe level
Single-use or disposable
also known as disposable; items that cannot be used more than once. These items cannot be properly cleaned so that all visible residue,such as pumice stones used for pedicures, or they are damaged or contaminated by cleaning and disinfecting.
Spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria that can cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease
Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like bunches of grapes, can cause abscesses, pustules and boils.
Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines resembling a string of beads; they can cause infections such as strep throat and blood poisoning.
A set of guidelines published by OSHA that require the employer and the employee to assume that all human blood and body fluids are infectious for blood borne pathogens.
Virus (plural; viruses)
a parasitic submicroorganism particle that infects and resides in cells of biological organisms. A virus is capable of replication only through taking over the host cell's reproductive function.
The number of viable organisms in or on an object or surface or the organic material on a surface or object before decontamination or sterilization.
Disease-causing microorganisms carried in the body by blood or body fluids, such as hepatitis and HIV
Also known as chelating detergents; detergents that break down stubborn films and remove the residue of pedicure products such as scrubs, salts, and masks.
a mechanical process, scrubbing, using soap and water or detergent and water to remove all visible dirt, debris, and many disease-causing germs. Cleaning also removes invisible debris that interferes with disinfection. Cleaning is what cosmetologists are required to do before disinfecting.
The presence, or the reasonably anticipated presence, of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface or visible debris or residues such as dust, hair, and skin.
The removal of blood or other potentially infectious materials on an item's surface and the removal of visible debris or residue such as dust, hair, and skin.
Transmission of blood or body fluids through touching (including shaking hands), kissing, coughing, sneezing, and talking.
human papilloma virus
abbreviated HPV and also known as plantar warts; a virus that can infect the bottom of the foot and resemble small black dots, usually in clustered groups.
transmission of blood or body fluids through contact with an intermediate contaminated object such as a razor, extractor, nipper, or an environmental surface.
Are the methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms.
Disease caused by pathogenic, harmful microorganisms that enter the body. An infectious disease may or may not be spread from on person to another person.
an infection, such as a pimple or abscess, that is confined to a particular part of the body and appears as a lesion containing pus.
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
abbreviated MRSA; a type of infectious bacteria that is highly resistant to conventional treatments such as antibiotics.
an item that is made of constructed of a material that has no pores or openings and cannot absorb liquids.
disease produced by organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Disease that affects the body as a whole, often due to under-functioning or over-functioning of internal glands or organs. This disease is carried through the blood stream or the lymphatic system.
also known as barber's itch; a superficial fungal infection that commonly affect the skin. It is primarily limited to the bearded areas of the face and neck or around the scalp
a fungal infection of the scalp characterized by red papules, or spots, at the opening of the hair follicles.