vaccination and antibiotics

Vaccination

Introduction of an antigen or a weakened or inactive form of a pathogen to generate immunity

Lymphocyte

The white blood cell responsible for antibody production

Antibody

A protein that binds to a specific antigen and triggers the pathogens to be destroyed

Antibody production

When a white blood cell called a lymphocyte produces antibodies

Antigen

A substance on a foreign cell or pathogen that triggers an immune response

Memory cell

A white blood cell that recalls the structure of a specific antigen to prevent the body from being infected a second time

Herd immunity

The resistance to the spread of a disease in a population which is due to the majority of individuals being immune

Active immunity

The process of exposing the body to an antigen or pathogen to generate an adaptive immune response

Primary response

The reaction of the immune system when exposed to a pathogen for the first time

Secondary response

The very quick reaction of the immune system when exposed to the same pathogen for a second time

Antibiotic

A chemical that kills or reduces the reproduction rate of bacteria

Penicillin

An antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming that is made from Penicillium mould

Antibiotic-resistant strain

A strain of bacteria that has mutated and is no longer treatable with standard antibiotics

Painkiller

A medicine which reduces the symptoms of disease but does not kill pathogens

Antiviral drug

A class of medication used to treat viral infections