Communicable Disease
A disease that is spread from one living thing to another or through the environment.
pathogen
An organism that causes disease
infection
a condition that occurs when pathogens enter the body, multiply and damage body cells
virus
a form of genetic material that invades living cells to reproduce
bacteria
single celled microorganisms
non-communicable disease
a disease that is not spread by another person or through the environment
immunity
that state of being protected against a certain disease
vaccine
a preparation of dead or weakened pathogens that are introduced into the body to stimulate an immune response
immune system
a network of cells, tissues, organs and chemicals that fights pathogens
toxin
a substance that kills cells or interferes with their functions
pneumonia
an inflammation of the lungs commonly caused by a bacterial or viral infection
jaundice
a yellowish of the skin and eyes
breast self-exam
an inspection by a woman of her breasts to detect breast cancer (lumps, bumps)
testicular self exam
The procedure by which a man checks the appearance and consistency of his testes (lumps, bumps or thickenings)
life style factor
factors inherent in a patients way of living that may have a significant effect on ill health
oncologist
a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer
cancer
uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells
over the counter drugs (OTC)
Medicines that you can buy without a prescription
Universal procautions
actions taken to prevent the spread of disease by treating all blood and other bodily fluids as if they contained pathogens
signs/symptoms
an objective indication of some medical fact or characteristic that may be detected/objective evidence of disease perceptible to examining physician/subjective evidence of disease perceived by the patient
skin cancer
cancer that forms in the tissues of the skin
cardiovascular disease
a disease that affects the heart or blood vessels
hypertension
high blood pressure
tumor
an abnormal mass of tissue that has no natural role in the body
benign
noncancerous
malignant
cancerous
developmentally disabled
the below average intellectual ability present form birth or early childhood and associated with difficulties in learning and social adaptation.
disability
any physical or mental impairment that limits normal activities, including seeing, hearing, walking or speaking
arthritis
inflammation of your joints in the body. It causes pain and loss of movement
diabetes
a chronic disease that affects the way body cells convert food into energy
asthma
an inflammatory condition in which the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles become narrowed, causing difficulty in breathing
histamine
Chemicals that can stimulate mucous and fluid production in an area
allergy
a specific reaction of the immune system to foreign and frequently harmless substances
carcinogen
cancer causing substance
Contamination
is the presence of a minor and unwanted constituent (contaminant) in a material, in physical body, in the natural environment, at a workplace, etc
ENT Doctor
Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor
Proctologist
branch of medicine dealing with the rectum and anus
Gynecologist
is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system
Hygienst
assess oral health of patients, assist the dentist, take and develop dental radiographs.