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 - removal of a limb e.g. leg, or another part of the body, e.g. ear

Antibiotic - a chemical drug that kills bacteria

Antibodies - proteins produced by lymphocytes (white blood cells) which help to cancel out the effect of antigens

Antigens - foreign substances present in the body that can stimulate the production of antibodies

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B

Bacteria - a general name given to single celled organisms. In favourable conditions each cell can multiply by subdividing

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C

Cerebrospinal Fluid - protective fluid that flows through and around the brain and spinal cord

Childhood Immunisation Programme - this is a series of routine vaccinations given to children in the United Kingdom

Cilia - fine hairs on the surface of cells. These can beat in a coordinated way to carry mucus, 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 - convulsive attacks caused by too much electrical activity in brain cells

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I

Immunity - the ability of an organism to resist infection, usually because it carries antibodies in its blood

Incubation - the period of time between the date of infection and the appearance of the first symptoms

Infectious disease - a disease caused by the invasion of the body by organisms e.g. bacteria and viruses

Inflammation - changes in the tissues of the body showing their reaction to infection of injury. Signs of inflammation include swelling, pain, heat and redness

Intestines - a tube like part of the digestive system, stretching from your stomach to your bottom.

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M

Meninges - the three layers (membranes) that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord

Meningococcus - a single celled bacteria which is round in shape. The plural of meningococcus is meningococci

Micro-organisms - a term used to describe organisms including viruses, bacteria and fungi most of which are microscopic and only visible with the aid of a microscope

Microscope – Instrument used to magnify minute objects.

Molecules - groups of atoms chemically joined together

Mucous - Thick slippery substance produced by mucous membranes, e.g. in the nose.

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P

Parasitically - any organism that can live upon or within another

Pathogenic - capable of producing disease. Pathogenic bacteria are those whose growth in the body can cause disease

Platelets - bits of old red blood cells that are used to form a blood clot

Primary case - the first case to occur

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S

Septicaemia - Blood poisoning, invasion of the bloodstream by micro-organisms

Shock - a condition in which there is not enough blood getting from the heart to the tissues of the body

Skin graft - the transfer of healthy skin from one part of the body to a damaged area

Symptoms - unpleasant or unwanted warning signs of a disease

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T

Toxins - a poisonous protein produced by bacteria that damage tissues and organs of the body. The toxins produced by the meningococcal bacteria are called endotoxins

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V

Vaccination - an injection of a weak or dead organism that provokes the body's immune system to make appropriate antibodies

Virus - a tiny living organism smaller than bacteria that can only be grown in living cells. Only the largest viruses can be seen with an ordinary microscope

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