Glossary Words

A type of bowel blockage that happens when one portion of the bowel slides into the next, much like the pieces of a telescope; it is treated in a hospital and may require surgery.

Influenza (more commonly known as the flu) is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread person-to-person through sneezes and coughs. It usually is a seasonal illness (October – May in the U.S.) and can be serious and life-threatening. One…

Redness, swelling, heat and pain in tissues (e.g., organs or muscles) resulting from injury or illness. Also known as swelling.

Capable of causing disease.

The number of new disease cases in a population over a certain period of time.

A vaccine made from viruses and bacteria that have been killed through physical or chemical processes. These killed organisms cannot cause disease.

When someone receives a vaccine and mounts an immune response to protect against a disease.

The complex system in the body responsible for fighting disease. Its primary function is to identify foreign substances in the body (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites) and develop a defense against them. This defense is known as the immune response.

A protein found in the blood that fights infection. Also known as gamma globulin.