Infection Control Airborne Precautions - measures taken to prevent the spread of diseases transmitted from an infected person by pathogens propelled through the air on particles smaller than 5 µm in size to a susceptible person's eyes, nose, or mouth Antibody - a type of protein the immune system produces to neutralize a threat of some kind, such as an infecting organism, a chemical, or some other foreign body Antimicrobial - able to destroy or suppress the growth of pathogens and other micro-organisms Antiseptic - a substance that reduces the number of pathogens present on a surface Asepsis - methods used to assure that an environment is as pathogen-free as possible Aseptic - as pathogen-free as possible Bacteriostasis - the inhibition of further bacterial growth Chlorhexidine - an antibacterial compound with substantial residual activity that is used as a liquid antiseptic and disinfectant Contact Precautions - measures taken to prevent the spread of diseases transmitted by the physical transfer of pathogens to a susceptible host's body surface Contamination - the process of becoming unsterile or unclean Disinfectant - any chemical agent used to destroy or inhibit the growth of harmful organisms