Term | Definition |
diphtheria | a disease caused by the microorganism bacillus corynebacterium; diphtheria appears as a severe throat infection and fever |
diplococci | pairs of bacteria |
endospore | a dormant, non-reproductive structure reduced by a small number of bacteria, with the primary function to ensure survival through periods of environmental stress |
Epstein-Bar virus (EPV) | a common characterized by fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands; other symptoms such as liver concern, swollen spleen, or heart or nervous system involvement rarely occur and this disease is almost never fatal |
etiologic agent | causative agent of a disease |
facultative anaerobic bacteria | grow with or without oxygen |
flagella | long, threadlike appendage on protozoa that assist with movement |
fungi | mold |
gram negative | a cell wall's lack of dye color under a microscope |
gram positive | a cell wall's retention of dye color under a microscope |
Gram stain | a procedure to differentiate cells into two specific groups using special dyes |
hepatitis | inflammation of the liver that is caused by several viruses |
hepatitis A | also called infectious hepatitis, a bloodborne disease transmitted by person-to-person contact or by ingestion of contaminated water or food; symptoms are generally flu-like but could result in acute liver injury |
hepatitis B | also called serum hepatitis, a bloodborne disease primarily transmitted through contaminated needles and syringes; symptoms include loss of appetite, digestive upset, upper abdominal pain, fever, weakness, muscle pain, and jaundice |
hepatitis C | also called non-A and non-B, a bloodborne disease primarily transmitted through contaminated needles and syringes; symptoms are similar to hepatitis B |
hepatitis D | also called the delta agent, a bloodborne disease transmitted through contaminated needles and syringes; symptoms include loss of appetite, digestive upset, upper abdominal pain, fever, weakness, muscle, and jaundice |
hepatitis E | a bloodborne disease transmitted through contaminated water and food with symptoms including loss of appetite, dark urine, fatigue, and nausea |
herpes simplex | common and troublesome viral disease |
herpes simplex virus type 1 | a viral disease usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face that is spread by contact with a fluid-filled lesion, or vesicle |
herpes simplex virus type 2 | a STD that displays fluid-filled lesions, or vesicles, on the sex organs or within the oral cavity |
herpetic whitlow | exposure to the herpes virus that manifests itself as a crusting ulceration on the fingers or hands; may be very painful |
human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) | the AIDS virus ultimately destroys immune system cells |