Glossary

Collection of fluid, white blood cells, microorganisms, and cellular material that indicates the presence of an infected wound or abscess

Involves severe clotting throughout much of the body, ultimately causing death to the tissues. If not treated immediately, it is a life-threatening condition.

Also known as: Itch

An irritating skin condition that causes a desire to scratch

Proteins are large molecules that form the structural part of most organs and make up enzymes and hormones that regulate body functions.

inflammation of the prostate

(adj. Prophylactic)
1. Measure taken to prevent or protect against disease
2. Antibiotic prescribed to prevent infection

1) prediction about the course or outcome of a disease or illness
2) the likelihood of recovery from a disease or illness

An infectious agent (not bacteria or virus) that is an irregular form of a normal protein; prion proteins cause a variety of infections, including Mad Cow Disease and Creutzfeld-Jacob disease. Prion proteins are thought to induce normal brain proteins to assume an irregular shape, rendering them dysfunctional.

That branch of medicine concerned primarily with the prevention of disease

The number of people with a particular disease at any given time in a population

Based on reasonable evidence or assumption; based on early, preliminary or partial results

1. one that comes before or gives rise to another
2. in chemistry, one substance that comes before or gives rise to another often more stable substance

At or toward the back

A growth, such as on the lining of the mouth or intestines, that is usually benign; examples include uterine polyps and colorectal polyps

A disease that causes pain and weakness in the neck, shoulder muscles and pelvis, and morning stiffness. It commonly affects people over 50 years of age, especially women.