MRSA Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the MRSA article.
Abscess: A local accumulation of pus anywhere in the body. The following are some example... See the entire definition of AbscessAcquired: Not inherited, or present at birth (congenital), but developing after birth. For... See the entire definition of AcquiredAnaerobic: Not requiring oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria, for example, do not require oxygen to... See the entire definition of AnaerobicAntibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. ... See the entire definition of AntibioticAntibiotic resistance: The ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to resist the effe... See the entire definition of Antibiotic resistanceAntiseptic: Something that discourages the growth microorganisms. By contrast, aseptic ref... See the entire definition of AntisepticAsymptomatic: Without symptoms. For example, an asymptomatic infection is an infection wit... See the entire definition of AsymptomaticBacteria: 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. Bacterium: The singular of bacteria. Blood clot: A mass of coagulated blood. A blood clot can block a major blood vessel, causi... See the entire definition of Blood clotBlood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is... See the entire definition of Blood pressureBone marrow: The soft blood-forming tissue that fills the cavities of bones and contains f... See the entire definition of Bone marrowBreastfeeding: Feeding a child human breast milk. According to the American Academy of Ped... See the entire definition of BreastfeedingBumps: The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured b... See the entire definition of Bumps
C-section: Short for Cesarean section. Cancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, ... See the entire definition of CancerCarbuncles: A skin abscess, a collection of pus that forms in the skin. Antibiotics may b... See the entire definition of CarbunclesCDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US agency charged with tracking a... See the entire definition of CDCCellulitis: A spreading bacterial infection underneath the skin surface characterized by r... See the entire definition of CellulitisCenters for Disease Control and Prevention: The US agency charged with tracking and invest... See the entire definition of Centers for Disease Control and PreventionChemotherapy: 1. In the original sense, a chemical that binds to and specifically k... See the entire definition of ChemotherapyChills: 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 difficileCocci: The plural of coccus. Consultant: An individual to whom one refers for expert advice or services. The use of con... See the entire definition of ConsultantDiagnosis: 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 DiarrheaDNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid. One of two types of molecules that encode genetic information... See the entire definition of DNA
Enterococcus: Bacteria normally found in the feces. Two types, Enterococcus fecalis and En... See the entire definition of EnterococcusEnzyme: A protein (or protein-based molecule) that speeds up a chemical reaction in a livi... See the entire definition of EnzymeEnzymes: Proteins that act as a catalysts in mediating and speeding a specific chemical re... See the entire definition of EnzymesEyelid: The lid or cover of the eye, a movable fold of skin and muscle that can be closed ... See the entire definition of EyelidFever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr... See the entire definition of FeverGenes: The basic biological units of heredity. Segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nee... See the entire definition of GenesGenetic: Having to do with genes and genetic Genome: All the genetic information possessed by any organism (for example, the human geno... See the entire definition of GenomeGland: A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thy... See the entire definition of GlandGram-positive: Gram-positive bacteria retain the color of the crystal violet stain in the ... See the entire definition of Gram-positiveGroin: The area where the thigh meets the hip. Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ... See the entire definition of HeartHeart valves: There are four heart valves. All are one-way valves. Blood entering the ... See the entire definition of Heart valvesHIV: Acronym for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodefi... See the entire definition of HIVHygiene: The science of preventive medicine and the preservation of health. Also commonly ... See the entire definition of Hygiene
Immune: 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 systemImpetigo: A skin infection caused by the staphylococcus or, less often, by the streptococc... See the entire definition of ImpetigoIncision: A cut through skin or other tissue performed by a health care professional. Infant: A young baby, from birth to 12 months of age. Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInjury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot... See the entire definition of InjuryIntervention: The act of intervening, interfering or interceding with the intent of modify... See the entire definition of InterventionIntestine: The long, tubelike organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion... See the entire definition of IntestineItching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on ... See the entire definition of ItchingJoint: The area where two bones are attached for the purpose of permitting body parts to m... See the entire definition of JointLaboratory: A place for doing tests and research procedures, and for preparing chemicals a... See the entire definition of LaboratoryLeg: In popular usage, the part of the body from the top of the thigh down to the foot, an... See the entire definition of LegLow blood pressure: Any blood pressure that is below the normal expected for an individua... See the entire definition of Low blood pressureMarrow: The bone marrow.
Methicillin: A semisynthetic penicillin-related antibiotic, also known as Staphcillin, tha... See the entire definition of MethicillinMRSA infection: Frequently used abbreviation for: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aur... See the entire definition of MRSA infectionNasal: Having to do with the nose. Nose: The external midline projection from the face. The purpose of the nose is to warm, c... See the entire definition of NoseOrgan: A relatively independent part of the body that carries out one or more special func... See the entire definition of OrganOsteomyelitis: Inflammation of the bone due to infection, for example, by the bacteria sal... See the entire definition of OsteomyelitisPathogen: An agent of disease. For example, Bacillus anthracis is the pathogen that causes... See the entire definition of PathogenPathogenic: Capable of causing disease. For example, pathogenic E. coli are Eschericia col... See the entire definition of PathogenicPenicillin: The most famous of all antibiotics, named for the fungal mold Penicillium n... See the entire definition of PenicillinPneumonia: Inflammation of one or both lungs, with dense areas of lung inflammation. Pneum... See the entire definition of PneumoniaPoisoning: Taking a substance that is injurious to health or can cause death. Poisoning i... See the entire definition of PoisoningPostoperative: After surgery. As opposed to preoperative, before surgery. Pregnancy: 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. Prognosis: The forecast of the probable outcome or course of a disease; the patient's chan... See the entire definition of Prognosis
Protein: One of the three nutrients used as energy sources (calories) by the body. Protein... See the entire definition of ProteinProteins: Large molecules composed of one or more chains of amino acids in a specific orde... See the entire definition of ProteinsPus: A thick, whitish-yellow fluid that results from the accumulation of white blood cells... See the entire definition of PusRecurrence: The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. The reappearance ... See the entire definition of RecurrenceRecurrent: Appearing or occurring again. For example, a recurrent fever is a fever that ha... See the entire definition of RecurrentResistance: Opposition to something, or the ability to withstand something. For example, s... See the entire definition of ResistanceSaliva: a watery secretion in the mouth produced by the salivary glands that aids in the d... See the entire definition of SalivaSepsis: The presence of bacteria (bacteremia), other infectious organisms, or toxins creat... See the entire definition of SepsisShock: In medicine, a critical condition that is brought on by a sudden drop in blood flow... See the entire definition of ShockStaph: Very commonly used shortened form of Staphylococcus, a very common and important gr... See the entire definition of StaphStaph infection: A staph infection is an infection with a Staphylococcal bacteria. Staphylococcus: A group of bacteria that cause a multitude of diseases. Under a microscope... See the entire definition of StaphylococcusStrain: 1. An injury to a tendon or muscle resulting from overuse or trauma. 2. A heredita... See the entire definition of StrainSuperbug: An informal term for a bacterium that has become resistant to antibiotics usuall... See the entire definition of SuperbugSurgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj... See the entire definition of Surgery
Symptomatic: 1 With symptoms, as a symptomatic infection. 2 Characteristic o... See the entire definition of SymptomaticSyndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. Synthesis: Putting together different entities to make a whole which is new and different.... See the entire definition of SynthesisTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Throat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th... See the entire definition of ThroatToxic shock: See Toxic shock syndrome. Toxic shock syndrome: A grave condition occurring predominantly in menstruating women usin... See the entire definition of Toxic shock syndromeToxin: A poison produced by certain animals, plants, or bacteria. Viable: Capable of life. For example, a viable premature baby is one who is able to surviv... See the entire definition of ViableVirus: A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium that cannot grow or reproduce apar... See the entire definition of Virus
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