| acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome |
The complex of signs and symptoms characteristic of the late phase of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. |
| antigenic drift |
Minor
antigenic changes in the influenza A virus due to mutations in the spikes’ genes |
| antigenic
shift |
Major changes in the influenza A virus due to recombination of viral strains from
two different host species. |
| German measles |
A
moderately contagious skin disease that occurs primarily in children 5 to 9 years of age
that is caused by the rubella virus, which is acquired by droplet inhalation into the
respiratory system; German measles |
| Guillain-Barre
syndrome |
A relatively rare disease affecting the peripheral nervous system, especially the
spinal nerves, but also the cranial nerves. The cause is unknown, but it most often occurs
after an influenza infection or flu vaccination. Also called French Polio |
| hemagglutinin |
The antibody
responsible for a hemagglutination reaction. |
| Influenza |
An acute viral infection of the respiratory tract, occurring in isolated cases,
epidemics, and pandemics. Influenza is caused by three strains of influenza virus, labeled
types A, B, and C, based on the antigens of their protein coats |
| mumps |
An acute
generalized disease that occurs primarily in school-age children and is caused by a
paramyxovirus that is transmitted in saliva and respiratory droplets. The principal
manifestation is swelling of the parotid salivary glands |
| pandemics |
A disease afflicting an increased proportion of the population over a wide
geographic area (often worldwide). |
| polio |
An acute,
contagious viral disease that attacks the central nervous system, injuring or destroying
the nerve cells that control the muscles and sometimes causing paralysis; also called
polio or infantile paralysis |
| prions |
A concocted word to denote "proteinaceous infectious agent"; a
cytopathic protein associated with the slow-virus spongiform encephalopathies of humans
and animals |
| teratogenic |
Causing
abnormal fetal development. |
