Human Health and Diseases

Set of flashcards that cover key vocabulary and concepts related to human health and diseases, as detailed in lecture notes.

Health

Defined by the World Health Organization as the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Immunity

Freedom or exemption from disease, specifically the body's ability to resist pathogens.

Infectious Disease

A disease caused by pathogens that can be transmitted from one person to another, such as malaria.

Non-infectious Disease

A disease that cannot be transmitted from one person to another, such as cancer and deficiency diseases.

Innate Immunity

The natural defense system an individual possesses from birth, which is nonspecific and does not require previous exposure to pathogens.

Acquired Immunity

Immunity that develops during life due to exposure to pathogens or through vaccination.

Antigen

Any foreign substance that invades the body and can stimulate an immune response.

Antibody

Protective chemicals produced by immune cells in response to antigens, which help in neutralizing pathogens.

Phagocytosis

The process by which phagocytic cells ingest and destroy invading pathogens.

Vaccination

Administration of a vaccine to stimulate the immune system against specific pathogens.

AIDS

Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome, a fatal illness caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which weakens the immune system.

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

A treatment for HIV/AIDS that uses medications to suppress the virus and improve immune function.

Cancer

A disease characterized by uncontrolled cell division that can form tumors and invade other tissues.

Pathogen

An organism, such as a virus or bacterium, that can cause disease.

Homologous Blood Groups

Blood groups classified based on the presence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells.

Malaria

An infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, transmitted through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

Dengue

A painful, debilitating vector-borne disease caused by dengue viruses transmitted through Aedes mosquitoes.

Common Cold

A viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract, primarily caused by rhinoviruses.

Malignant Tumor

A rapidly growing tumor that can invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body.

Benign Tumor

A non-cancerous tumor that remains localized and does not spread to other tissues.

Phagocytic Cells

White blood cells that engulf and digest pathogens as a part of the immune response.

Incubation Period

The time interval between exposure to a pathogen and the onset of symptoms.

Epidemiology

The study of how diseases affect the health and illness of populations.

Hygiene

Practices that promote health and prevent disease, such as personal cleanliness and proper sanitation.