Infectious Diseases Vocabulary

noun A microorganism that can live and grow in the absence of oxygen

• Anaerobes are microorganisms that can survive and thrive in environments without oxygen.
• Some bacteria are anaerobes, meaning they don't need oxygen to grow.
• Anaerobes are like the rebels of the microbial world, living without oxygen.
• In a world full of competition, anaerobes are the ones who find success in unconventional ways.

noun the bacterium itself

• Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria.
• I heard that anthrax can be really dangerous if not treated properly.
• I ain't messing around with anthrax, that stuff is no joke.
• The spread of rumors in the office was like a silent anthrax, infecting everyone with fear and uncertainty.

noun an infectious and often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies

adjective related to or characteristic of cholera

• Cholera is a highly infectious bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration.
• I heard there was a cholera outbreak in the neighboring town.
• Stay away from that area, cholera is going around.
• The spread of misinformation can be like a cholera outbreak, causing harm and confusion.

adjective Capable of being transmitted from one person to another through direct or indirect contact.

• The flu virus is highly contagious and can easily spread from person to person.
• Be careful, the stomach bug going around is super contagious.
• Dude, that new dance move is contagious - everyone is doing it now.
• His enthusiasm for the project was contagious, inspiring the whole team to work harder.

noun an infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the intestines, especially the colon, that results in severe diarrhea containing blood and mucus

• Dysentery is a bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the intestines.
• My friend got really sick while traveling and ended up with dysentery.
• I heard that food poisoning in that restaurant was so bad, people were getting dysentery!
• The political corruption in that country is like a dysentery spreading through the government.

noun a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time

adjective relating to or of the nature of an epidemic

• The government is implementing measures to control the spread of the epidemic.
• Have you heard about the flu epidemic going around?
• The epidemic of bad hair days is real this week.
• The epidemic of negativity is spreading fast in our office.

noun a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses

• Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system.
• I caught the flu and had to stay in bed all weekend.
• I feel like I got hit by the flu truck.
• Her negativity spread through the office like a flu, affecting everyone's mood.

verb to affect or contaminate with something harmful or destructive

• The virus has the potential to infect many people if not contained.
• I heard that a stomach bug is going around and it might infect us.
• Don't touch that dirty doorknob, you might infect yourself!
• Negative thoughts can infect your mind if you let them linger.

adjective causing or capable of causing infection; communicable

• The infectious disease spread rapidly throughout the community.
• Her laughter was so infectious, everyone in the room couldn't help but smile.
• That new song is so catchy, it's infectious!
• His positive attitude was infectious, spreading to everyone around him.

noun a serious tropical disease spread by mosquitoes and causing fever and severe joint and muscle pain

• Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
• My friend got really sick while traveling in Africa and was diagnosed with malaria.
• I heard that getting malaria is like getting hit by a ton of bricks.
• The spread of misinformation can be like a malaria, infecting minds and causing harm.

adjective describing something related to or characteristic of malaria

• The patient was diagnosed with a severe case of malarial infection.
• I heard that Tom got really sick with malarial fever after his trip to Africa.
• I need to take some meds for this malarial thing I picked up in the jungle.
• The corruption in that government is like a malarial disease, spreading and infecting everything it touches.

noun a highly contagious viral infection characterized by fever, cough, and a distinctive red rash

• The outbreak of measles in the community has prompted health officials to implement vaccination campaigns.
• I heard there's a measles outbreak going on in our neighborhood.
• Did you hear about that measles thing going around?
• The spread of misinformation is like a measles epidemic, infecting minds with false beliefs.

noun a microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus

• The scientist studied the effects of the microbe on the human body.
• I heard that there's a tiny microbe causing all the sickness going around.
• Watch out for that nasty little microbe, it's going around like crazy.
• The rumors spread through the office like a microbe, infecting everyone with gossip.

noun a microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus

• Microorganisms are microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
• Did you know that microorganisms are everywhere around us?
• Those tiny bugs are actually microorganisms.
• The spread of rumors is like a swarm of microorganisms infecting everyone's minds.

adjective describing something that relates to or characteristic of a parasite; exploiting another organism for one's own benefit

• The parasitic organism was found to be draining nutrients from the host.
• That parasitic bug is really annoying me.
• I can't stand those parasitic leeches.
• Her parasitic behavior in the workplace was causing tension among colleagues.

noun a small blister or pimple on the skin containing pus

• The dermatologist diagnosed the patient with a pustule on their face.
• I popped the pustule on my arm and now it's starting to heal.
• Eww, that pustule looks gross, you should probably get that checked out.
• The corruption in the government was like a festering pustule that needed to be addressed.

noun an abscess within the tissues of the throat, often leading to a complication of tonsillitis

• The patient was diagnosed with quinsy, a serious complication of tonsillitis.
• I heard Sarah had to go to the hospital because of quinsy.
• Quinsy is no joke, it can really mess you up.
• The political scandal was like a quinsy on the government, causing chaos and dysfunction.

adjective relating to or affected by syphilis

• The patient was diagnosed with syphilitic infection and was immediately put on antibiotics.
• I heard that guy got a syphilitic rash after his trip to Thailand.
• Don't hook up with that guy, I heard he's syphilitic.
• The corruption in the government was like a syphilitic disease spreading through society.

noun a parasitic flatworm that lives in the intestines of vertebrates

• A tapeworm is a type of parasitic flatworm that can live in the intestines of animals and humans.
• I heard that Sally had to get rid of a tapeworm she picked up while traveling.
• I feel like I have a tapeworm after eating so much junk food last night.
• The corrupt politician was described as a tapeworm, feeding off the resources of the community.

noun a serious bacterial infection that causes painful muscle contractions, particularly in the jaw and neck

adjective related to or characteristic of tetanus

• The doctor recommended getting a tetanus shot after stepping on a rusty nail.
• I heard you might need a tetanus booster if you cut yourself with that old knife.
• I better go get a tetanus jab before it's too late.
• His negative attitude was like a mental tetanus, infecting everyone around him.

noun a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body

• Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs.
• I heard that John was diagnosed with tuberculosis, but he's getting treatment for it.
• Tuberculosis is no joke, make sure to take care of yourself and get checked regularly.
• The spread of misinformation is like a silent tuberculosis, slowly infecting the minds of many.

noun an infectious bacterial fever with an eruption of red spots on the chest and abdomen and severe intestinal irritation

• Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi.
• My friend got really sick with typhoid fever after traveling to a foreign country.
• I heard that typhoid fever is no joke, you don't want to mess around with that.
• The spread of misinformation is like a typhoid fever infecting society, causing harm and chaos.

noun an infectious disease caused by bacteria transmitted by lice, fleas, or ticks

• Typhus is a bacterial infection transmitted by fleas or lice.
• My great-grandfather contracted typhus during the war.
• I feel like I've been hit by a typhus truck.
• The spread of misinformation can be compared to a typhus outbreak in the digital age.

adjective bitterly hostile

• The virulent strain of the virus spread rapidly throughout the community.
• That flu is really virulent, so make sure to wash your hands frequently.
• I heard that new flu strain is super virulent, so be careful out there.
• The virulent rumors about her spread like wildfire, causing unnecessary drama.

noun an infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host

• The virus has spread rapidly throughout the population, causing widespread concern.
• I heard there's a nasty virus going around, so make sure to wash your hands frequently.
• Dude, that virus is no joke - stay safe out there!
• Negativity can spread like a virus, infecting those around you with its toxic influence.

noun the frequency of a pathogen in a population, as measured by serological tests

• The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of the virus in the population.
• They're trying to figure out how many people have antibodies to the virus.
• They're checking to see how many folks have already had the bug.
• The seroprevalence data painted a picture of the virus's impact on the community.

noun a protein shell that surrounds the genetic material of a virus

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The capsid is the protein shell that surrounds a virus particle.
• The capsid is like the protective coat of a virus.
• That virus has a tough capsid, like armor.
• The capsid acts as a shield for the virus, keeping it safe from the immune system.

noun a virus that specifically targets bacteria

• Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria.
• Bacteriophages are like tiny viruses that attack bacteria.
• Those bacteriophages are like bacteria's worst nightmare.
• Bacteriophages can be seen as nature's way of controlling bacterial populations.

noun HPIV - stands for Human Parainfluenza Virus, a type of virus that causes respiratory infections in humans.

• The patient was diagnosed with HPIV, a common respiratory virus.
• I heard that HPIV is going around the school, so make sure to wash your hands frequently.
• My sister caught HPIV and was out sick for a week.
• The spread of misinformation is like a virus, similar to how HPIV can quickly affect a community.

noun a type of virus that causes respiratory illness in humans and animals, including the common cold and more severe diseases such as SARS and COVID-19

• The coronavirus pandemic has greatly impacted the global economy.
• I heard the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in our city.
• Did you hear about the new strain of corona going around?
• The coronavirus outbreak is like a dark cloud hanging over us.

noun a type of coronavirus that causes respiratory illness (COVID-19 stands for 'coronavirus disease 2019')

• The global economy has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• I heard that Sarah tested positive for COVID-19.
• I can't believe COVID-19 ruined our vacation plans.
• The spread of COVID-19 has cast a dark shadow over our daily lives.

noun a shortened form of novel coronavirus, referring to a type of virus

• The rapid spread of nCoV has raised concerns among public health officials.
• Have you heard about the latest cases of nCoV in our city?
• I'm so over this whole nCoV situation, it's ruining everything.
• The fear of nCoV is spreading faster than the virus itself.

noun a genus of free-living amoebae that can cause a rare and typically fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)

• Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba that can cause a rare and serious brain infection.
• I heard about Naegleria in the news, it's a scary brain-eating amoeba.
• Naegleria is no joke, it's like a brain-eating zombie amoeba.
• The Naegleria of doubt slowly consumed his thoughts, leaving him paralyzed with fear.

noun UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection, which is an infection in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.

• The patient was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI) and prescribed antibiotics.
• I heard that Sarah had a UTI and had to go to the doctor for treatment.
• My friend told me she got a UTI from holding her pee for too long.
• Dealing with that difficult client was like trying to fight off a UTI - uncomfortable and never-ending.

noun a type of virus that is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito and can cause symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes

• The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause birth defects in newborns.
• I heard that the Zika virus is spreading rapidly in certain regions.
• Dude, you better watch out for that Zika virus when you travel to tropical areas.
• The Zika virus spread through the community like wildfire, causing widespread panic.

verb to live on or in a host organism and feed on its tissues or body fluids

• Certain species of insects have evolved to parasitize other organisms for sustenance.
• I heard that some bugs can parasitize other bugs, it's pretty wild.
• Dude, did you know that some bugs straight up mooch off of other bugs? That's parasitizing at its finest.
• The toxic relationship between the two countries can be likened to one trying to parasitize the resources of the other.

noun a person who does not have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

adjective describing a person who has tested negative for the HIV virus

• After taking the HIV test, the result came back as HIV negative.
• I got tested for HIV and thankfully it came back negative.
• Dude, I was so relieved when my test results showed I was HIV negative.
• Being HIV negative is like having a weight lifted off your shoulders.

noun a disease spread by close contact with an infected person or object

adjective contagious

• The rapid spread of the contagion has caused widespread panic among the population.
• I heard the contagion is spreading quickly, we should be careful.
• Dude, stay away from that party, there's a serious contagion going around.
• Negative attitudes can be just as contagious as a physical contagion.

noun a person who is supportive and caring towards someone who is sick with the flu

• My friend who had the flu is feeling much better now.
• My flu friend is finally back on their feet.
• I'm taking care of my buddy who caught the flu.
• In times of sickness, a flu friend is a true friend indeed.

noun a swollen area within body tissue, containing an accumulation of pus

• Abscesses are localized collections of pus caused by infection.
• I had to go to the doctor to get my abscesses drained.
• Man, those abscesses are really gross.
• The corruption in the government is like a festering abscess that needs to be dealt with.

adjective a term used to describe something that lacks a capsule or outer covering

• The bacteria was identified as acapsular, meaning it lacked a protective outer layer.
• The doctor said the infection was caused by an acapsular strain of bacteria.
• I heard that acapsular bugs are harder to treat with antibiotics.
• Her argument was acapsular, lacking any substantial evidence to support her claims.

adjective relating to or characteristic of actinobacillus bacteria

• The veterinarian diagnosed the cow with actinobacillotic lymphadenitis.
• The vet said the cow has actinobacillotic infection in its lymph nodes.
• The cow's got some actinobacillotic thing going on, according to the doc.
• The actinobacillotic issue in the farm spread like wildfire, affecting multiple animals.

noun a type of bacteria commonly found in the mouth and throat

• Actinomyces is a type of bacteria commonly found in the mouth and throat.
• I heard that actinomyces bacteria can cause dental problems if not properly treated.
• Watch out for those actinomyces bugs in your mouth, they can be trouble!
• Like actinomyces spreading through the body, rumors can quickly grow out of control.

noun a type of bacteria that forms branching filaments

• Actinomycetes are a group of bacteria that can be found in soil and water.
• I heard actinomycetes are bacteria that live in the ground.
• Actinomycetes are like those bacteria chillin' in the dirt.
• Just like actinomycetes spread in the environment, rumors can spread quickly among friends.