Glossary

A

airborne transmission

The spread of a disease through contaminated airborne particles. Airborne (or aerosol) transmission is due to germs in very small particles that are so light they remain suspended in the air for a long time.

air purifiers

Devices that remove contaminants from the air in a room to improve indoor air quality.

antibiotic

A substance that kills bacteria or slows their growth. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat a bacterial infection; they are not effective against viruses.

antibodies

Proteins that protect the body against invading germs by helping the immune system to kill them. The body makes antibodies in response to an infection or a vaccine. Some antibodies can be injected to give immediate protection against diseases such as hepatitis A and B, measles, chickenpox and tetanus, but this protection is temporary.

B

bacteria

A type of germ that is not visible to the naked eye and consists of a single cell. Some bacteria can be beneficial to humans, some can cause disease and some can do both, depending on the circumstance.

body fluids

Fluids that come from inside the bodies of living people, including blood, vomit, urine, faeces, mucus and breastmilk.

C

chain of infection

The process by which an infection spreads. The chain includes the following stages: 

1. Source (where the germs live)
2. Spread (how the germs move to a new person)
3. New host (a person susceptible to the germs).

complication

Another disease or condition that develops, either directly or indirectly, as a result of an infection. For example, pneumonia is a common complication of measles; damage to an unborn baby is a complication of cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy.

concerning symptoms

Fever, rash, tiredness, pain, poor feeding, poor urine output. Concerning symptoms may indicate serious illness.

contact

A person who has had the opportunity to catch a disease from someone while that person was infectious. The exact definition of a contact varies depending on how the disease spreads. Contact tracing involves identifying and monitoring these individuals to prevent further spread of the disease.

cross-contamination

The transfer of harmful germs from one surface or food item to another, leading to the potential spread of disease. Prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods by keeping them separate and using separate utensils and cutting boards.

D

dermatitis

Any condition of the skin that involves inflammation (redness and swelling). Eczema is a type of dermatitis.

diarrhoea

Frequent passing of loose, watery faeces.

disease

Any condition that affects the body’s normal functions. Diseases can be infectious or non-infectious. 
See infectious disease

disease outbreak

When the number of cases of a particular disease in an area exceeds the usual or expected number. Outbreaks require immediate attention, investigation, and coordinated efforts to control the spread of the disease.

disease surveillance

The ongoing collection and analysis of data about diseases. Disease surveillance helps identify patterns, trends and outbreaks, allowing for effective public health responses and preventive measures.

disinfectant

A chemical agent that kills germs outside the body (for example, on surfaces).

droplet transmission

Spread of infections through contaminated droplets. Small droplets, often invisible to the naked eye, that are propelled from a person’s mouth or nose when they cough, sneeze, talk or spit. These droplets can contain germs from the person’s nose and throat; if another person breathes in the droplets, they can become infected. The droplets can also contaminate surfaces. Many diseases are spread in this way.

E

eczema

A type of allergy that causes dry, itchy and sensitive skin.

education and care service

Any service that provides, or is intended to provide, education and care on a regular basis for children up to school age. This includes day care, long day care, family day care, preschool and outside-school-hours care. It does not include full-time schools, special classes or services (for example, sport classes, dance classes, disability services, medical services), or personal arrangements.

educator

A person at the education and care service who works directly with children.
See staff

environmental cleaning

Removing dirt and germs from surfaces. The best way to do this is by rubbing or scrubbing the surface with warm water and detergent, followed by rinsing and drying.

exclusion

The temporary removal of a sick child or adult from an education and care service to prevent the spread of infectious diseases to others.

F

fungus

A group of germs that includes yeasts, moulds and mushrooms. Some fungi can cause disease.

G

gastroenteritis

An inflammation of the stomach and intestines, often resulting in symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Gastroenteritis is commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections and can be highly contagious.

germ

A microorganism (for example, bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa). Not all germs cause disease.

H

hand hygiene

Keeping your hands clean. This can be done using soap and water or hand sanitiser, and is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of germs.

hand sanitiser

A type of hand hygiene product that contains alcohol and can kill germs without using soap and water. Also known as alcohol-based hand rubs, antiseptic hand rubs or waterless hand cleaners.

hand washing

Cleaning hands using soap and water, rather than using a hand sanitiser product.

hard surfaces

In the context of education and care services, hard surfaces are waterproof or impermeable to liquid (for example, tables, hard floors, taps, basins and so on).

herd immunity

The way that immunised people can protect non-immunised people in a community. If a high proportion of the population is immune to a particular disease through past infection or vaccination, it is unlikely that the disease will be able to spread from person to person.
See immune, immunisation.

I

immune

A person becomes immune as a result of immunisation against, or previous infection with, a particular germ. Immunity means that the next time the person is exposed to the germ, their body can quickly recognise and destroy or weaken the germ before the person has any symptoms. A person is immune to a disease if they have antibodies to the germ in their blood; this can often be determined by a laboratory test.

immunisation

The process of making a person immune to a disease by giving them a vaccine or antiserum.
See immune, vaccine

immunocompromised

Refers to individuals who have a weakened or compromised immune system, making them more susceptible to infections and less able to fight off germs effectively. Immunocompromised individuals include those with certain medical conditions, undergoing medical treatments (for example, chemotherapy), or taking immunosuppressive medications.

infection

The entry and multiplication of a germ in a human or animal. Infections may or may not cause disease – a person can be infected with a germ without it causing any damage to their body or any symptoms.
See disease

infection control practices

Measures and protocols aimed at preventing the spread of infections. Within healthcare and educational settings, infection control practices include hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene (covering coughs and sneezes), proper cleaning and disinfection procedures, and the use of personal protective equipment when necessary.

infectious

(Of diseases), caused by a germ able to spread from one living thing to another. Also known as contagious.

infectious disease

Diseases caused by germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi) or parasites that can spread between living things or from the environment, including food and water.
Also known as a communicable disease.
See disease

L

laundering

The process of washing and drying clothes or other fabric items, such as sheets, towels and tea towels. Effective laundering involves washing with detergent in a machine on a hot setting (≥ 60 °C) and drying in sunlight or a tumble dryer on a hot setting (≥ 40 °C).

lethargy

A state of extreme tiredness or lack of energy where a child may appear drowsy, uninterested, or less active than usual.

M

medically vaccinated

When a person has received a vaccine that has been scientifically proven to be effective in preventing or reducing disease.
See non-medically vaccinated, vaccine

meningitis

A serious disease that involves inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

N

non-infectious

Refers to conditions or symptoms that are not caused by an infectious germ but have other underlying causes, such as chronic diseases or allergies.

non-medically vaccinated

When a person has received a treatment that is said to act as a vaccine but has not been scientifically proven to be effective (for example, homeopathic or naturopathic vaccination).
See medically vaccinated, vaccine

notifiable disease

A disease that health professionals or pathology laboratories must report by law to government authorities. By collecting information about diseases, the government can monitor where a disease occurs and how many people have it – this can help with planning prevention strategies and provide early warning of outbreaks.

O

outbreak

A sudden increase in the number of people who have a particular disease.

P

parent or carer

The person who has responsibility for the child – this could be a biological parent or legal guardian.

public health unit

Part of a state or territory health department that investigates and provides advice on infectious diseases, including outbreak management, immunisation and other public health matters. Your local public health unit may be in your local area or in your capital city.

R

respiratory hygiene

Practices that help prevent the spread of diseases through the air, such as covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing.

respiratory symptoms

Cough, runny or blocked nose, sore throat.

routine cleaning

Regular cleaning that reduces the number of harmful germs that survive on surfaces in the education and care service.

S

soiled

Dirty or unclean.

staff

Any person employed, appointed or engaged to work at an education and care service, whether as a family day care coordinator, an educator or otherwise. The term ‘staff’ includes the cook, administrator, gardener, housekeeper or cleaner.
See educator

T

temperature danger zone

The temperature range between 5 °C and 60 °C in which bacteria can grow rapidly in food. To prevent foodborne diseases, it is important to keep food either below 5 °C (for cold storage) or above 60 °C (for cooking and heating).

U

urine output

The amount of urine produced by an individual. Poor urine output refers to a person going to the toilet less often or not at all. It can indicate dehydration or other underlying health issues.

V

vaccine

A substance that contains live or dead germs, or parts or products of germs, that is given to a person to make their immune system respond. Once a person has received a vaccine, they are considered to be immunised.
See immune, immunisation, medically vaccinated, non-medically vaccinated

vaccine-preventable diseases

Diseases for which effective vaccines exist. If a large portion of the population is vaccinated against these diseases, outbreaks can be prevented or controlled.

ventilation

The process of supplying a building or room continuously with fresh air, which helps prevent the spread of airborne diseases. This can be done through natural or mechanical means.

virus

A type of germ, much smaller than bacteria, which can only multiply inside living cells. Some viruses can cause disease.