Disease Vocabulary

acute

acute

(of an illness) having a rapid onset, usually sudden and severe

etiology

The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition.

prion

A misfolded protein that can induce misfolding of normal variants of the same protein and trigger cellular death.

antibiotic

A chemical substance produced by a living organism that is detrimental to other microorganisms.

fungus

A group of single-celled or multicellular eukaryotic organisms that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic debris.

prognosis

The expected course and outcome of a disease or condition.

antiseptic

A substance that stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms.

helminth

A parasitic worm, especially an intestinal worm.

protozoa

A group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic debris.

arthropod

Invertebrates in the phylum Arthropoda, possessing an exoskeleton with a cuticle made of chitin, a body with differentiated segments, and paired jointed appendages.

host

A person who receives or entertains guests socially, commercially, or officially; or an organism that harbors a parasite, mutual partner, or commensal partner.

sign

An objective evidence of disease especially as observed and interpreted by the physician rather than by the patient or lay observer.

asepsis

The state of being free from disease-causing contaminants or preventing contact with microorganisms.

sterilization

The process of making something free from bacteria or other living microorganisms.

bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent on another organism for life).

microbiome

The combined genetic material of the microorganisms in a particular environment.

symptom

A physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient.

chronic

(of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.

microorganism

A microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.

syndrome

A group of symptoms which consistently occur together, or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms.

diagnosis

The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.

nosocomial infection

An infection that is contracted from the environment or staff of a healthcare facility.

systemic

Relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part.

disease

A disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant, especially one that produces specific symptoms or that affects a specific location.

opportunistic infection

An infection caused by pathogens that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available, such as a host with a weakened immune system, an altered microbiota, or breached integumentary barriers.

therapy

Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder.

disinfectant

A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria.

pandemic

(of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world.

toxin

An antigenic poison or venom of plant or animal origin, especially one produced by or derived from microorganisms and causing disease when present at low concentration in the body.

endemic

(of a disease or condition) regularly found among particular people or in a certain area.

parasite

An organism that lives in or on an organism of another species (its host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the other’s expense.

vector

An organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another.

endospore

A resistant asexual spore that develops inside some bacteria cells.

pathogen

A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.

virulence

The severity or harmfulness of a disease or poison.

epidemic

A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

pathophysiology

The disordered physiological processes associated with disease or injury.

virus

An infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host.