Colds Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Colds article.
Acetaminophen: A nonaspirin pain reliever or analgesic. Acetaminophen may be given alone t... See the entire definition of AcetaminophenAdenovirus: One of a group of viruses that can cause infections of the lung, stomach, inte... See the entire definition of AdenovirusAirway: The path that air follows to get into and out of the lungs. The mouth and nose are... See the entire definition of AirwayAntibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. ... See the entire definition of AntibioticAntiviral: An agent that kills a virus or that suppresses its ability to replicate and, he... See the entire definition of AntiviralAspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a... See the entire definition of AspirinBacteria: Single-celled microorganisms that can exist either as independent (free-living) ... See the entire definition of BacteriaBacterial: Of or pertaining to bacteria, as in a bacterial lung infection. Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is... See the entire definition of Blood pressureCaffeine: A stimulant compound found naturally in coffee, tea, cocoa (chocolate), and kola... See the entire definition of CaffeineChest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t... See the entire definition of ChestChills: feelings of coldness accompanied by shivering. Chills may develop after exposure t... See the entire definition of ChillsClostridium: A group of anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen)... See the entire definition of ClostridiumClostridium difficile: A bacterium that is one of the most common causes of infection of t... See the entire definition of Clostridium difficileCommon cold: A contagious viral upper respiratory tract infection. The common cold can be ... See the entire definition of Common coldCongestion: An abnormal or excessive accumulation of a body fluid. The term is used broadl... See the entire definition of CongestionConsultant: An individual to whom one refers for expert advice or services. The use of con... See the entire definition of ConsultantContrast: Short for "contrast media." Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contra... See the entire definition of ContrastCoronavirus: One of a group of RNA viruses, so named because they look like a corona or ha... See the entire definition of CoronavirusCoryza: A head cold that includes a runny nose. Cough: A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airwa... See the entire definition of CoughCough suppressant: A drug used to control coughing, particularly with a dry, nagging, unpr... See the entire definition of Cough suppressantCure: 1. To heal, to make well, to restore to good health. 2. A time withou... See the entire definition of CureDecongestant: A drug that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose, making it easier for ... See the entire definition of DecongestantDehydration: Excessive loss of body water. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that ca... See the entire definition of DehydrationDextromethorphan: An oral cough suppressant available in the US without a prescription but... See the entire definition of DextromethorphanDiagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ... See the entire definition of DiagnosisDiarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ... See the entire definition of DiarrheaEar: The hearing organ. There are three sections of the ear, according to the anatomy tex... See the entire definition of EarEchinacea: An herb that has been claimed to boost the body's immune system and help fight ... See the entire definition of EchinaceaEmergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica... See the entire definition of Emergency departmentExpectorant: A medication that helps bring up mucus and other material from the lungs, bro... See the entire definition of ExpectorantFetus: An unborn offspring, from the embryo stage (the end of the eighth week after concep... See the entire definition of FetusFever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr... See the entire definition of FeverFlu: Short for influenza. The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract w... See the entire definition of FluGinger: Ginger, the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, has been used as medicine in... See the entire definition of GingerHeadache: A pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the he... See the entire definition of HeadacheHeart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ... See the entire definition of HeartHeart rate: The number of heartbeats per unit of time, usually per minute. The heart rate ... See the entire definition of Heart rateHerbal: 1. An adjective, referring to herbs, as in an herbal tea. High blood pressure: A repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg. Chro... See the entire definition of High blood pressureHumidifier: A machine that puts moisture into the air. Humidified air makes it easier to b... See the entire definition of HumidifierIbuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa... See the entire definition of IbuprofenImmune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies. Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every... See the entire definition of Immune systemIndicate: In medicine, to make a treatment or procedure advisable because of a particular ... See the entire definition of IndicateInfection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInfluenza: The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract which are divide... See the entire definition of InfluenzaInsomnia: The perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep due to a number ... See the entire definition of InsomniaLarynx: A tube-shaped organ in the neck that contains the vocal cords. The larynx is about... See the entire definition of LarynxLiver: The largest solid organ in the body, situated in the upper part of the abdomen on t... See the entire definition of LiverLungs: The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon... See the entire definition of LungsMouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con... See the entire definition of MouthMucus: A thick fluid that is produced by the lining of some organs of the body. Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T... See the entire definition of MuscleNasal: Having to do with the nose. Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in... See the entire definition of NauseaNeck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric... See the entire definition of NeckNose: The external midline projection from the face. The purpose of the nose is to warm, c... See the entire definition of NoseOB/GYN: A commonly used abbreviation. OB is short for obstetrics or for an obstetrician, ... See the entire definition of OB/GYNPain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainParkinson's disease: A slowly progressive neurologic disease that is characterized by a fi... See the entire definition of Parkinson's diseasePharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPneumonia: Inflammation of one or both lungs, with dense areas of lung inflammation. Pneum... See the entire definition of PneumoniaPregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi... See the entire definition of PregnancyPregnant: The state of carrying a developing fetus within the body. Prescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or dev... See the entire definition of PrescriptionPrognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of PrognosisProstate: A gland within the male reproductive system that is located just below the blad... See the entire definition of ProstateRecur: To occur again; to return. For example, a symptom, sign, or disease can recur. Reflex: An involuntary reaction. For example, the corneal reflex is the blink that occurs ... See the entire definition of ReflexRespiratory: Having to do with respiration. Respiratory syncytial virus: A virus that causes mild respiratory infections, colds, and c... See the entire definition of Respiratory syncytial virusRhinitis: Irritation of the nose. RSV: Although several standard medical dictionaries indicate only that RSV stands for Rous... See the entire definition of RSVRunny nose: The production of extra mucus by the nose. Rhinorrhea is the medical term for ... See the entire definition of Runny noseSaline: Relating to salt. As an adjective, "saline" means "salty, containing salt." As a n... See the entire definition of SalineSense of smell: See Olfaction. Sinus: 1. An air-filled cavity in a dense portion of a skull bone. The sinuses decr... See the entire definition of SinusSinusitis: Inflammation of the lining membrane in any of the hollow areas (sinuses) of the... See the entire definition of SinusitisSore: 1. (adjective) A popular term for painful, such as a sore throat. 2. (... See the entire definition of SoreSore throat: Pain in the throat. Sore throat may be caused by many different causes, inclu... See the entire definition of Sore throatStomach: The digestive organ that is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs. The upp... See the entire definition of StomachStress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressSweating: The act of secreting fluid from the skin by the sweat (sudoriferous) glands. The... See the entire definition of SweatingSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Taste: A perception that results from stimulation of a gustatory nerve. Taste belongs to t... See the entire definition of TasteThroat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th... See the entire definition of ThroatTopical: Pertaining to a particular surface area. For example, a topical agent is applied ... See the entire definition of TopicalTrachea: A tube-like portion of the respiratory tract that connects the larynx with the br... See the entire definition of TracheaTubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tub... See the entire definition of TubesTylenol: See: Acetaminophen. Upper respiratory infection: An infection of the upper part of the respiratory system whic... See the entire definition of Upper respiratory infectionUrine: Liquid waste produced by the kidneys. Urine is a clear, transparent fluid that norm... See the entire definition of UrineVaccines: Microbial preparations of killed or modified microorganisms that can stimulate a... See the entire definition of VaccinesViral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa... See the entire definition of ViralVirus: A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that cannot grow or reproduce apar... See the entire definition of VirusViruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. I... See the entire definition of VirusesVitamin C: An essential nutrient found mainly in fruits and vegetables. The body requires ... See the entire definition of Vitamin CZinc: A mineral that is essential to the body and is a constituent of many enzymes that pe... See the entire definition of Zinc
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