Chapter 6 medical terms Flashcards
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AKA AIDs, is the most advanced and fatal stage of HIV infection
Allergen
is a substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual
Anaphylaxis
(anaphylactic shock) is a severe response to an allergen
Antibiotics
medications capable of inhibiting growth or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms
Antibody
disease-fighting protein created by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen
Antifungal
An agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi
Antigen - antibody reaction
AKA immune reaction, involves binding antigens to antibodies. This labels a potentially dangerous antigen so it can be recognized and destroyed by other cells of the immune system
Antigen
Any substance that the body regards as being foreign (viruses, bacteria, toxins transplanted tissues)
Autoimmune disorder
AKA autoimmune disease, any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues, mistaking healthy cells, tissues, or organs for antigens
Bacilli
rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria
Bacteria
one-celled microscopic organisms. Most bacteria are not harmful to humans
Benign
NOT life-threatening, although this type of tumor can cause damage as it grows and places pressure on adjacent structures
Candidiasis
Yeast infection
Carcinoma
Malignant tumor that occurs in the epithelial tissue
Carcinoma in situ
Malignant tumor in its original position that has not yet disturbed or invaded the surrounding tissues
Complement system
group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form. When needed, these cells complement the ability of antibodies to ward off pathogens by combining with them to dissolve and remove pathogenic bacteria and other foreign cells
Covid-19
highly contagious viral infection caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus. This coronavirus, discovered in 2019, became a global pandemic starting in 2020
Cytokines
Are a group of proteins such as interferons and interleukins released primarily by the T cells. These cells act as intracellular signals to begin the immune response
Cytomegalovirus
(CMV) is found in most body fluids. Most often present as a silent infection in which the individual has no signs or symptoms of the infection, although it can potentially cause a serious illness when the individual has a weakened immune system, or when it is transmitted from the mother to her unborn child
Cytotoxic Drug
Medication that kills or damages cells