Term | Definition |
Pathogen | An organism or virus that causes a disease.
Example: virus, bacteria, fungi, and parasite |
Virus | A tiny, nonliving particle that enters and then reproduces inside a living host cell.
Examples: Influenza (flu), common cold, West Nile |
Parasite | An organism that benefits by living with, on, or in a host in a parasitic interaction. The parasite benefits, and the host is usually harmed. |
Bacteria | Single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus (prokaryotic). Some harmful forms can be treated with antibiotics. |
Mutate | To change; viruses can do this easily which can make it difficult to create vaccines. |
Fungi (fungus) | A eukaryotic organism that has cell walls, uses spores to reproduce, and heterotroph that feeds by absorbing its food. Example: mushrooms |
Vaccine | A weakened or killed pathogen that triggers the immune response into action so a person can become immune to a disease. Given through injection (shot), by mouth, or through nasal spray. |
Antibiotic | A chemical that kills bacteria or slows their growth without harming body cells. |
Anti-viral medicine | A chemical that can help stop the infectious parts viruses from being released. |
Noninfectious disease | Diseases that are not caused by pathogens.
Example: allergies, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc. |
Infectious (communicable) disease | A disease that can be spread between organisms. |
Host | An organism that provides a source of energy for a virus or another organism |
Host cell | A cell that is taken over by a virus and used to reproduce. |