Illnesses Glossary
http://www.sianbradwell.com/medical/glossary.htm
http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/glossary1.htm
Adjuvant: A substance that is used in a
vaccine to improve the immune response so that less vaccine is needed to produce
a non-specific stimulator of the immune response.
Adverse event: Any undesirable side effect
that may result from a vaccination.
Anaphylaxis: An immediate and severe
allergic response; a shock reaction to a substance. This can result in sudden
severe breathing difficulty, severe drop in blood pressure, and/or loss of
consciousness. Anaphylactic shock can kill if not treated promptly. Common
causes of anaphylaxis include: bee stings in people that are allergic to bees,
ingestion of certain foods by people that are allergic to those foods, and drug
reactions.
Antiemetic: A medicine used to treat
nausea and vomiting.
Antimicrobial agents: A general term for
the drugs, chemicals, or other substances that kill microbes (tiny organisms
that cause disease). Among the antimicrobial agents in use today are:
antibacterial drugs (kill bacteria); antiviral agents (kill viruses); antifungal
agents (kill fungi); and antiparisitic drugs (kill parasites).
Attenuated: To be weakened. An attenuated
vaccine is one that has been weakened by chemicals, or other processes so that
it will produce an adequate immune response without causing the serious effects
of an infection.
Axillary temperature: Temperature taken
under the arm.
Bacteremia:
Bacterial infection of the blood.
Bacteria:
(Plural for bacterium). Tiny microorganisms that reproduce by cell division and
usually have a cell wall. Bacteria can be shaped like a sphere, rod, or spiral
and can be found in virtually any environment.
Booster:
Administration of an additional vaccination to help increase or speed the immune
response to a previous vaccination.
Central Venous Catheter:
A long, soft, pliable tube that is inserted into a large vein that leads
directly into the heart. These catheters are also know as "Broviac" or "Hickman"
catheters, and are used to sample blood or administer medication.
Childhood immunizations:
A series of immunizations that are given to prevent diseases that pose a threat
to children. The immunizations in the United States currently include: Hepatitis
B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenzae type b,
Inactivated Polio, Pneumococcal Conjugate, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella,
and Hepatitis A.
Combination vaccine:
A combination of two or more vaccines (i.e. the diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis
vaccine). Like the individual vaccines, combination vaccines are developed
through scientific research. They are also tested through clinical trials for
appropriateness, safety, and effectiveness before they are licensed and released
for use by the public.
Community immunity:
A concept of protecting a community against certain diseases by having a high
percentage of the community’s population immunized. (Sometimes referred to as
"herd" immunity). Even if a few members of the community are unable to be
immunized, the entire community will be indirectly protected because the disease
has little opportunity for an outbreak. However, with a low percentage of
population immunity, the disease would have great opportunity for an outbreak.
Examples of the key role
of community immunity include being vaccinated with Hepatitis B, Diphtheria,
Acellular Pertussis, Haemophilus Influenzae type b, Inactivated Polio,
Pneumococcal Conjugate, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis A
because these are diseases that can spread through person-to-person
transmission. Tetanus, on the other hand, cannot be spread through
person-to-person transmission. It is transmitted through skin wounds. For
example, if a person steps on a nail or sustains some kind of penetrating injury
from something that has been contaminated with Tetanus spores, there is
significant risk for a life-threatening Tetanus infection. The level of
community immunity would have no impact on this risk.
Conjugate vaccines:
A vaccine in which a polysaccharide antigen is chemically joined with a protein
molecule to improve the immunogenicity of the polysaccharide.
Conjunctivitis:
Inflammation of the eyelid. Sometimes this condition occurs independently, but
it can also occur with other illnesses (i.e. measles).
Contraindication: Some people will have serious reactions when given drugs or vaccines.
When there is a valid medical reason that makes the administration of a vaccine
dangerous to the person receiving it, or in the case of a pregnant woman to her
unborn child we say the vaccine is contraindicated. A valid contraindication
will allow us to recommend that you be given a waiver exempting you from that
specific vaccination requirement.
Febrile:
Fever or high temperature. This is generally 101.3oF (equivalent to 38.5oC),
taken orally, or 100.3oF (38oC) taken axillary.
Fungus:
An organism bigger than a bacteria that does not cause serious infections unless
there is a problem with the immune system, and then can cause very serious
infection.
Hib disease:
Disease caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type b. Until recently, this disease
was the most common cause of deadly bacterial meningitis in children. It can
also cause infection of the bloodstream, pneumonia, epiglottis, and otitis
media, among other conditions.
"Hot tub" folliculitis:
A skin infection caused by that often
follows bathing in a hot tub or public swimming pool.
Immune System:
The body's defense against infection, foreign material and cancer. Includes
white blood cells, spleen, lymph nodes and the thymus.
Immunity:
Defense against a particular infection.
Immunization:
A process or procedure that increases an organism’s reaction to antigens,
thereby, improving its ability to resist or overcome infection.
Immunocompromised:
Having a weak immune system due to
disease or the use of certain medications.
Immunoglobulins:
A specific protein substance, produced by plasma cells to help fight infection.
Immuno-suppression:
A state in which the immune system is affected by disease or drugs, increasing
the risk of serious infection.
Implantable Port:
A device which is surgically implanted under the skin, usually on the chest or
abdomen, and can be used to sample blood or administer medicines. Also called "Mediport",
"Portacath", or "Infusaport".
Inoculation:
Introduction of material (i.e., vaccine, bacteria) into the body’s tissues
Live vaccine:
A vaccine that contains a living, yet weakened organism or virus.
Microorganism:
Living organisms or living things (plants or animals) so small in size that they
are only visible by the aid of a microscope.
Multi-drug resistance:
The ability to withstand many antimicrobial drugs. For example, a new strain of
pathogen may be resistant to many or all of the drugs that previously worked
against the disease caused by the pathogen.
Nosocomial infection:
An infection that is acquired in the
hospital.
Opportunistic:
Causing disease only under certain
conditions, as when a person is already sick or has a weak immune system.
Outbreak:
Spread of disease, which occurs in a short period of time and in a limited
geographic location (i.e., neighborhood, community, school, or hospital).
Pandemic:
An outbreak of disease that spreads throughout the world.
Pathogen:
Any microorganism that produces disease.
Port-Implanted:
A catheter connected to a quarter-sized disc that is surgically placed just
below the skin in the chest or abdomen. The tube is inserted into a large vein
of artery directly into the bloodstream. Fluids, drugs, or blood products can be
infused or blood drawn through a needle that is inserted into the disc.
Examples: Port-o-cath, Infusaport, Lifeport.
Strain: A specific biologic version of a
microorganism (i.e. bacterium or virus). The identity of a strain is defined by
its genetic makeup, or code; changing just one piece of the code produces a new
strain.
Vaccination: Injection of a weakened or
killed microorganism (bacterium or virus) given for the prevention or treatment
of infectious diseases.
Vaccine: A product of weakened or killed
microorganism (bacterium or virus) given for the prevention or treatment of
infectious diseases.
Vaccine schedule: A chart or plan of
vaccinations that are recommended for specific ages and/or circumstances.
Virus: A tiny parasite that grows and
reproduces in living cells. Vaccines prevent illnesses caused by the following
viruses: Hepatitis B, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Hepatitis
A.
Other pages in this section:
Illnesses
Immunization Experiences
Antibiotic Use Information
Care of Ill Child
Illnesses Experiences
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