Abrasion

The scraping or wearing away by friction (rubbing)

Acetaminophen

A synthetic drug with pain killing effects similar to aspirin but without anti-inflammatory effects. It is used for patients who are sensitive to aspirin.

Acute hepatitis C

A liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus. It begins suddenly or gradually and rarely lasts longer than one to two months. Usually there is little immediate damage to the liver but, in rare cases, acute hepatitis C can cause severe, even life-threatening liver damage.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A combination of specific conditions as the final stage of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Aesthetics

A set of principles regarding the nature and appreciation of beauty.

Alkaloid

One of a group of organic alkaline (basic) substances obtained from plants. It reacts with acids to form salts.

Ampoule

A small sealed glass containing a measured quantity of liquid ready for injecting.

Anemia

A drop in the number of red blood cells in the blood. This could be a symptom of various diseases. Symptoms of anemia include tiredness, dizziness, headaches, and drowsiness.

Anesthetic

Agent pertinent to partial or complete loss of sensation, with or without the loss of consciousness.

Antibiotic

Medicine that reduces the growth of or destroys micro-organisms

Antibodies

Proteins our body naturally produces to fend off infections. They attach to a virus and try to destroy it.

Antiseptic

A chemical used to disinfect the skin.

Antiviral

Opposing the action of a virus

Autoclave

A device that uses high-pressure and steam to sterilize equipment.

Bacteria

Single-celled organisms, some of which can cause diseases in humans.

Barbicide

An ammonium compound for low-level disinfection. Not effective at killing bloodborne pathogens. Commonly used to clean combs and brushes at salons and barber shops.

Bloodborne infections

Infections that are spread through contaminated blood or body fluids such as saliva, semen and vaginal fluids.

Bloodborne pathogens

Viruses in the blood that produce infections. Examples: hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Chronic hepatitis C

Liver inflammation that stays with patient for more than six months.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C have the disease for life if it's left untreated. There are different states of chronic hepatitis C:

• Chronic state carrier: very little inflammation or liver function damage. Symptoms are usually mild.

• Chronic persistent: very little development of liver damage over time. However, some patients may develop chronic active hepatitis C over time.

• Chronic active: liver damage is extensive and liver cells are destroyed. Cell damage causes scar tissue in the liver (fibrosis), resulting in cirrhosis and reducing liver function. This can lead to liver failure.

Cirrhosis

A type of permanent and progressive liver damage. Any chronic liver disease can lead to scarring. Cirrhosis is permanent, but its progress can be stopped.

Class action

A law suit filed or defended by an individual acting on behalf of a group.

Cleaning

Physical removal of visible organic material from surfaces.

Compensation

Something awarded or given to reduce or balance the harmful effects of loss, suffering, or injury.

Contact dermatitis

Inflammation or irritation of the skin because of contact with an irritating substance. Examples: strong soap, deodorants or perfumes.

Contamination

The presence of an infectious agent on any object.

Disclosure

The act of exposing secret or new information.

Disinfect

Make clean and free from infection, especially by using a chemical disinfectant.

Disinfectant

A chemical that destroys bacteria.

Drawing up

Using the plunger of the syringe to take up fluids into the syringe.

Earring butterflies

The back of earring studs that hold earrings in earlobe.

Eligible

Satisfying appropriate conditions.

Enzymes

A chemical substance made up of protein, which is produced by living cells. Enzymes change the rate of chemical reactions in other substances.

Exfoliation

The washing or rubbing of the skin with a grainy substance to remove dead skin cells.

Extraction

The action of removing something by effort or force.

Fatigue

A feeling of tiredness or weariness resulting in a decreased capacity for physical and mental work.

Scar tissue that forms in reaction to an infection or injury. It can occur in the liver as a result of long-term inflammation.

Follicle

The cells and connective tissue that surround the hair's root.

Genetic

Relating to reproduction.

Hemophiliac

A person with a blood disease that causes abnormal bleeding and failure in blood clotting.

Virus that causes AIDS.

Hypodermic

Under or inserted under the skin, as a hypodermic injection.

Immune

Resistant to infection due to the presence of antibodies.

Immunization

A method to produce immunity (protection from infection) using vaccines for a specific disease.

Improvise

To produce or make something from whatever is available.

Incarceration

The act of imprisoning or confining.

Infection

An invasion of body tissues by "germs" such as viruses and bacteria.

Infectious agent

An organism (bacteria, fungus, virus, parasite) that can be transmitted with or without contact to produce symptoms of disease.

Inflammation

Heat, swelling, redness or pain indicating your body's reaction to injury or disease. May result from physical damage, infection, or surgery.

Intravenous

Taking place or administered into a vein or veins.

Irradiation

The process of exposing to radiation.

Isolation

The process or fact of being alone.

Jaundice

Yellowness of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by disturbances in the functioning of liver cells.

Keloid

Scar formation in the skin following trauma or surgical incision. Raised, firm, thickened red scar that may grow for a prolonged period of time.

Lesion

An injury or wound.

Liver biopsy

Removal of a small piece of liver tissue, which is examined under a microscope to assess the effects of a disease. A special needle is passed through the skin and into the liver to remove a very small piece of tissue to examine.

Microorganism

Minute living body not perceptible to the naked eye. Example: bacterium.

Mobile outreach unit

Group of people designated to perform outreach services to people who are not able to access services. Usually by means of a van.

Needs assessment

An approach to collect information on the attitudes, behaviours, opinions and lives of a subgroup of a population. Identifying the needs of this subgroup to enhancing service delivery and program planning. This approach includes various data collection methods such as surveys and focus groups.

Nippers

A device used to clip or trim cuticles, the skin around nail.

Organic

Pertinent to or derived from animal or vegetable forms of life.

Prevalence

Occurrence in a particular area at a particular time.

Protein

A class of complex compounds made of nitrogen that are produced by all living organisms for growth and repair of animal tissue.

Psychosocial

Of or relating to the relationship between social factors and individual thought and behaviour.

Psychotoxic

Relating to or denoting poisonous drugs that affect a person's mental state.

Remedy

Medicine or treatment for a disease or injury.

Reservoir

Something to hold fluid(s).

Resin

A sticky flammable substance releases by some trees and other plants.

Sharps

A term used to describe needles and syringes.

Sharps container

A container approved by the Ministry of the Environment for the safe disposal of sharps.

Solvent

The liquid in which solid matter is dissolved to form a solution. Example: glue.

Sterilization

The complete elimination of all microscopic organisms using heat, irradiation, gas or chemicals.

Subcutaneous

Applied under the skin.

Tendon

Connective tissue serving for the attachment of muscles to bones and other parts.

Thalassemia

A group of anemias that are passed on in genetic material; from family member to other family members.

Tourniquet

A device to stop the flow of blood through an artery, usually by compressing a limb with a cord or tight bandage.

Tuberculosis (TB)

An infectious disease caused by a bacteria characterized by formation of tubercles affecting the respiratory system.

Dirty. Germs and bacteria are present.

Vaccine

A small mixture of germs that when given to a person, causes the body to produce antibodies against the germs. This leads to protection against future infection of a particular disease.

Validate

To check or prove that something is correct.

Vasodilator

Causing the relaxation of blood vessels.

Virus

An infectious organism visible only with very powerful microscopes. Unlike bacteria, viruses are genetic material wrapped in a coat of protein. They survive by changing the function of the cells they infect. Infected cells then supply the viruses with energy and a way to reproduce themselves.