a molecule that attaches to and marks a pathogen as foreign, signaling white blood cells to destroy it
antibody
single-celled organisms that grow and reproduce in and outside of the human body, and can be helpful OR harmful to body function
bacteria
single-celled organisms that are larger and more complex than bacteria, and which may cause disease
protozoa
a disease that naturally occurs in low numbers in a certain area
endemic
a thick, watery substance that shields the body from pathogens
mucus
a disease caused by microorganisms or pathogens that can be transmitted from one person, animal, or object to another
infectious disease
a pathogen that infects cells and uses their energy because it cannot reproduce or grow on its own
virus
an animal that transmits a disease from one living thing to another
vector
the practice of covering your mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing, or sneezing into your sleeve
respiratory etiquette
a barrier in the lining of the body cavities and passages that open to the outside world
mucous membrane
the time between a pathogen's entrance into the body and the first symptom of disease
incubation period
a fungal infection that usually attacks damaged tissues or weakened people
mycosis
an infection transferred from an animal to a human
zoonosis
a dead or nontoxic part of a pathogen that is injected into a person to train his or her immune system to eliminate the live pathogen
vaccine
a cell that produces antibodies
B Cell
the stage during which signs and symptoms of a disease arise and are the most prominent
clinical stage
a disease that takes advantage of a body's weakened immune system
opportunistic infection
an outbreak of a disease that occurs in unexpectedly large numbers over a geographic area
epidemic
a substance that targets and kills pathogenic bacteria
antibiotic
a white blood cell that engulfs and destroys microorganisms
phagocyte
the stage during which signs and symptoms of a disease fade and a person is no longer contagious
convalescent stage
an organism that must live inside or on another living organism to draw upon that organism's strength and energy for survival
parasite
a widespread epidemic that affects an enormous number of people ad spreads between countries and across the world
pandemic
a strain of S. aureus that is resistant to antibiotics
MRSA (methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
a cell that coordinates the body's immune response and attacks cells that have been infected by a virus