Disease Prevention Flashcards
communicable disease
type of disease that is spread from one living organism to another or through the environment
pathogen
any microorganism that causes disease
infection
a condition that occurs when pathogens in the body multiply and damage body cells
direct contact
transmitted from person to person
indirect contact
transmitted through contaminated objects, food, vectors, and the air
common cold
viral infection that causes inflammation of the mucous membrane
influenza
viral infection of the respiratory tract
hepatitis
viral infection of the liver
non-communicable disease
type of disease that is not spread by another person, vector, or the environment
vector
an organism that carries and transmits pathogens to humans or animals
cancer
uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells
cardiovascular disease
a disease that affects the heart and blood vessels
atherosclerosis
disease characterized by the accumulation of plaque on artery walls
diabetes
chronic disease that affects the way body cells convert sugar into energy
benign
non-cancerous tumor that grows slowly
malignant
cancerous tumor that spreads to neighboring tissues
metastasis
spreading of disease from origination in body to other tissues and organs
carcinogen
cancer causing agent
biopsy
removal and examination of tissue or cells
non-specific resistance
body’s first line of defense against any disease through physical and chemical barriers
specific resistance
immune system’s response to specific pathogens
inflammatory response
reaction to tissue damage caused by injury or infection
antigen
substances that can trigger an immune response
lymphocytes
specialized white blood cells that coordinate and perform many functions of specific immunity
antibody
protein that acts against a specific antigen
hypertension
high blood pressure
stroke
a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain
heart attack (myocardial infarcation)
when reduced or blocked blood supply damages the heart muscle
