Infectious Diseases Terms

a small microorganism, which needs a living cell to grow or reproduce

an organism that requires oxygen for life and reproduction

an organism that does not require oxygen for life and reproduction Antimicrobial

medications used to stop or slow the growth of bacteria in the body

kill bacteria

stop the growth of bacteria

medications used to stop or slow the growth of fungus

medications used to stop or slow the growth of worms

medications used to stop or slow the growth of viruses

disorders characterized by inflammation and destruction of the body’s tissues caused by the body’s own immune system

single-celled microorganisms that do not have a defined nucleus and are found virtually everywhere

bacteria that cause disease

bacteria that do not cause disease

the count of a certain type of white blood cells; used to assess the magnitude of injury to immune system (for instance

fungi that cause infection of hair

a condition of the body in which there is abnormal functioning resulting from the effects of hereditary

a disease constantly present in a population

a greater than normal number of cases of a disease in an area within a particular period (occurring in outbreaks)

the study of the causes and origins of disease

an inanimate object on which pathogens may be transmitted

plant-like microorganisms that lack chlorophyll and need to live off of a food source that is either dead or alive

having an immune system that possesses the ability to mount a normal immune response

having an immune system that is weakened by disease, such as HIV, or as a result of a treatment, such as with chemotherapy medications given to treat patients with cancer. The risk of susceptibility to infections is increased.

a condition resulting from a defective immune mechanism; may be primary, due to a defect in the immune mechanism itself, or secondary, dependent upon another disease process

suppression of the immune response, as by drugs or radiation, in order to prevent rejection of a graft or transplant or to control autoimmune disease. It is also known as immunodepression.

contamination of any body tissue and organ by an invading organism or foreign substance, such as a microorganism

the study of very small or microscopic organisms of either animal(bacterial, protozoa) or plant (fungus, molds) origin. The smallest are viruses and the largest are protozoa.

the study of bacteria

the study of fungi, to include molds, mushrooms, and yeasts

the study of parasites

the study of protozoa

the study of viruses

a unit of length, equal to one-millionth of a meter; previously known as a micron (10-6 meter)

the study of the form and structure of an organism

affecting skin and mucous membranes

a general term pertaining to any fungal infection. It may be superficial or systemic. The most common mycosis affects the hair, skin, nails, and vagina

the study of very small or microscopic organisms of either animal (bacterial, protozoa) or plant (fungus, molds) origin. The smallest are viruses and the largest are protozoa.

the study of fungi, to include molds, mushrooms, and yeasts

the study of parasites

the study of protozoa

the study of viruses

an abnormally low white blood cell count, sometimes as a result of chemotherapy or illness, which hampers the body in fighting infections Nonpathogenic

microorganisms that constantly and consistently inhabit the human body. Some of these organisms are known to perform tasks that are useful for the human host, while the majority have no known beneficial or harmful effect. Pandemic

organism that lives within or upon another form of life and depends on that form of life for nourishment and in some cases survival

organism or bacteria capable of causing disease

a reproductive element of a plant or microorganism, usually in a resting state and encased in a hard, resistant protein coat

affecting the body as a whole. Systemic infections are generally life-threatening.

a poisonous substance

an insect or other organism that transmits parasitic micro-organisms from person-to-person

a small microorganism, which needs a living cell to grow or reproduce