CSPD I Medical Term

Active Immunity

Immunity produced by the body's own immune response following exposure to an antigen or vaccine

Adaptive Immunity

Targeted immune response that develops over time and creates long-lasting immune memory

Adjuvant

An ingredient added to a vaccine to boost the immune response

Adverse Event

Any unexpected or harmful medical occurrence following vaccination

Alcohol Swab

An alcohol-soaked pad used to clean the skin before an injection to prevent infection

Anaphylaxis

A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system to neutralize specific pathogens

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response

B Cell

A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies

Bevel

The slanted opening at the tip of a needle

Booster Dose

An extra dose of a vaccine given to maintain or restore immunity over time

CAIR (California Immunization Registry)

A confidential database tracking vaccine doses administered in California

Coadministration

Giving two or more vaccines during the same clinical visit

Cold Chain

The temperature-controlled supply chain required to safely store and transport vaccines

Conjugate Vaccine

A vaccine combining a weak antigen with a strong carrier protein to improve immune response

Contraindication

A condition or factor that makes receiving a vaccine unsafe

Diluent

A liquid used to reconstitute a powdered vaccine

EUA (Emergency Use Authorization)

FDA authorization permitting unapproved medical products during a public health emergency

Immunity

The body's ability to resist a specific disease or pathogen

Immunization Schedule

Recommended timeline for administering vaccines based on age or health risk

Immunoglobulin (Ig)

Antibodies present in blood plasma used to provide immediate, short-term passive protection

Inactivated Vaccine

A vaccine containing a killed version of the disease-causing pathogen

Injection Sites

Specific anatomical locations where injections are administered

Innate Immunity

The body's non-specific, immediate first line of defense against pathogens

Intradermal (ID)

An injection given directly into the dermis

Intramuscular (IM)

An injection given deep into muscle tissue

Intranasal (IN)

A needle-free medication or vaccine delivered into the nasal cavity

Live Attenuated Vaccine

A vaccine containing a weakened form of a live pathogen

Memory Cell

Long-lived immune cells that recognize past antigens to trigger a rapid response upon re-exposure

Minimum Intervals/Ages

The shortest allowed timeframe between vaccine doses or youngest age for administration

mRNA Vaccine

A vaccine using genetic material to instruct cells to build a viral protein that triggers immunity

Needle Gauge

Standard measurement of needle thickness where larger numbers mean thinner needles

Passive Immunity

Temporary protection provided by receiving antibodies from an outside source

Polysaccharide Vaccine

A vaccine made from long chains of sugar molecules found on certain bacteria outer coats

Precaution (Vaccines)

A condition that increases risk of an adverse event or compromises vaccine efficacy

Recombinant Vaccine

A vaccine created using genetic engineering to insert pathogen DNA into another cell

Reconstitution

Mixing a dried or powdered vaccine with a liquid diluent prior to administration

Seroconversion

The development of detectable specific antibodies in serum after vaccination or infection

Serology / Titer

A blood test measuring antibody levels to check for immunity

Sharps Container

A puncture-resistant box used for safe disposal of needles and medical sharps

Subcutaneous (SC)

An injection given into the fatty layer of tissue just under the skin

Subunit Vaccine

A vaccine containing only specific isolated fragments of a pathogen rather than the whole germ

T Cell

A white blood cell involved in cell-mediated immunity and destroying infected cells

Toxoid Vaccine

A vaccine made using an inactivated toxin produced by a pathogen

Vaccination

The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease

Vaccine

A biological preparation that stimulates immunity against a specific pathogen

VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System)

A national safety monitoring system for reporting post-vaccination adverse events

Vector Vaccine

A vaccine that uses a modified harmless virus to deliver genetic code for an antigen

VIS (Vaccine Information Statement)

An educational document detailing benefits and risks given to vaccine recipients

VSD / VFC

Vaccine Safety Datalink / Vaccines for Children assistance program

Acute Pain

Sharp, sudden-onset pain usually caused by tissue injury that resolves as healing occurs

Afebrile

Having no fever

Analgesia

Relief from pain without loss of consciousness

Analgesic

A medication used to relieve pain

Antipyretic

A medication used to reduce fever

Arthralgia

Joint pain

Aura

Sensory disturbances preceding a headache or seizure

Cephalalgia

Medical term for a headache

Chronic Pain

Persistent or recurrent pain lasting longer than 3 to 6 months

Cluster Headache

Severe, unilateral, recurring headaches often centered around one eye

Febrile

Characterized by or showing symptoms of a fever

Fever / Pyrexia

An elevation in body temperature above normal baseline

Migraine

A throbbing, often unilateral headache frequently accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity

Myalgia

Muscle pain or soreness

Neuropathic Pain

Pain caused by damage or disease affecting the nervous system

Nociceptive Pain

Pain resulting from tissue damage detected by intact pain receptors

Nociceptor

A specialized nerve receptor that detects painful or tissue-damaging stimuli

NSAID

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug that reduces pain, fever, and inflammation

Pain

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage

Paresthesia

An abnormal skin sensation like tingling or prickling

Photophobia

Extreme sensitivity to or discomfort from light

Somatic Pain

Pain originating from skin, muscles, bones, joints, or connective tissue

Status Migrainosus

A severe, debilitating migraine attack lasting longer than 72 hours

Tension Headache

A common, dull, aching headache often felt like a tight band around the head

Thermoregulation

The body's process of maintaining an internal temperature within a normal range

Visceral Pain

Pain originating from internal organs within the chest, abdomen, or pelvis

Abdomen

The region of the body between the chest and pelvis containing stomach, intestines, and liver

Anorectal

Pertaining to the anus and rectum

Antacid

A medication that neutralizes stomach acid for quick relief from heartburn

Antiemetic

A medication used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting

Barrett Esophagus

Precancerous changes in the lower esophageal lining caused by chronic acid reflux

Borborygmi

Rumbling or gurgling noises caused by fluid and gas moving through the intestines

Bowel Movement (BM)

The discharge of waste matter from the large intestine through the anus

Bristol Stool Form Scale

A diagnostic tool classifying human feces into seven categories based on shape and consistency

Cathartic

A strong substance that accelerates defecation or bowel evacuation

CINV

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Clostridium difficile

A bacterium causing severe diarrhea and colitis, often following antibiotic use

Colitis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the colon

Colostomy

A surgical opening connecting the colon to the abdominal surface to divert waste

Constipation

Infrequent, difficult, or painful passage of hard stools

Diarrhea

Unusually frequent, loose, or watery bowel movements

Dyspepsia

Indigestion marked by upper abdominal fullness, pain, or discomfort

Dysphagia

Difficulty or pain when swallowing

Enema

Fluid injected into the rectum to stimulate bowel evacuation or deliver medication

Emesis

The act of vomiting

Endoscopy

Procedure using a flexible scope with a camera to visually examine the GI tract interior

Esophagus

The muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach

Esophagitis

Inflammation or irritation of the esophageal lining

Fecal Impaction

A large, hard mass of immobile stool trapped in the rectum or colon

Fiber Supplement

Dietary additive used to add bulk to stool and improve bowel regularity