A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
A
Amputation - The removal of a limb e.g. leg, or another part of the body, e.g. ear
Antibiotic - A drug that kills bacteria
Antibody - A protein produced by the body as part of the immune response. These proteins help the body to fight infection
Antigen - A substance. usually a protein, that stimulates the production of antibodies
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B
Bacteria - Single-celled micro-organisms, of which there are many types. Some types can cause disease in humans
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C
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) - A protective fluid that flows around the brain and spinal cord, helping to maintain healthy cells
Childhood Immunisation Programme - A planned programme of vaccines available to all children, which protects them from a range of infectious diseases
Cilia - Fine hairs on the surface of cells. These can beat in a co-ordinated way to carry mucous, with trapped micro-organisms, away from the lungs
Ciliated Mucous Membrane - Tiny moving hairs attached to the cells lining the nose and throat
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E
Epilepsy - Seizures caused by a disturbance in the electrical activity of the brain
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I
Immunity - The body's ability to recognise and resist specific infectious diseases. The immune system responds to infection by producing antibodies
Infectious disease - A disease caused by the invasion of the body by organisms e.g. bacteria and viruses
Inflammation - A response of the body tissues to injury or irritation. The response is characterised by redness, swelling, heat and pain
Intestines - A part of the digestive system stretching from the stomach to the anus
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M
Meninges - The three protective membranes (layers) that surround the brain and spinal cord
Meningococcus - The bacterium that is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in the UK.
Micro-organisms - A term used to describe organisms including viruses, bacteria and fungi. Many are only visible with the aid of a microscope
Microscope - An instrument used to magnify minute objects.
Mucous - Thick slippery substance produced by mucous membranes, e.g. in the nose.
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P
Pathogenic - Capable of producing disease. Pathogenic bacteria are those whose invasion of the body can cause disease
Platelets - Disc shaped stuctures in the blood of mammals that help to form a blood clot
Primary case - The first case to occur
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S
Septicaemia - Blood poisoning; the invasion of the bloodstream by micro-organisms
Skin graft - The transfer of healthy skin from one part of the body to help the healing of a damaged area.
Symptoms - Unpleasant or unusual warning signs that indicate illness
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T
Toxin - A poison, either produced by or occuring in a micro-organism. The toxins in meningococcal bacteria are called endotoxins
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V
Vaccination - An injection given to encourage the body to produce antibodies which help to fight infection. The injection contains small particles of the disease causing organism.
Virus - A tiny infectious agent, smaller than a bacterium.
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