Unit 6 Vocabulary: Diseases and Illness

Noun (thing)
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AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
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a severe immunological disorder caused by the retrovirus HIV
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"AIDS is commonly spread through sexual contact or sharing a needle with an infected person."
Noun (thing)
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Anemia
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a pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood
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"Blood loss or iron deficiency are common causes of anemia."
Noun (thing)
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Bacterium
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a small organism, usually shaped like a sphere, rod, or spiral, that can cause infection in some cases
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"Most hospitals have anti-bacterial gel for visitors to use to wash their hands."
Noun (thing)
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Cancer
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any type of malignant growth or tumor, caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division
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"Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer."
Noun (thing)
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Chlamydia
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a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium which can damage a woman's reproductive organs
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"John went to the doctor's to test for Chlamydia after his ex-girlfriend told him that she had the disease."
Noun (thing)
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Condition
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could refer to any particular state of health, but often used negatively to indicate an illness or disorder
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"This hospital treats all kinds of conditions."
Noun (thing)
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Diabetes
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A disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin
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"You have to be very careful how much sugar you eat when you have diabetes."
Noun (thing)
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Disorder
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a disturbance in physical health and/or mental function
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"When he was diagnosed with a mental disorder he was referred to a psychiatrist."
Noun (thing)
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Epidemic
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affecting many persons and spreading in an area in which a disease is not commonly prevalent
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"The epidemic of typhoid was blamed on a polluted water source in the camp."
Noun (thing)
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Heart disease
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a common name for medical conditions affecting the cardiovascular system
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"In order to avoid heart disease, it is important to eat a healthy diet and take regular exercise."
Adjective
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Incurable
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not able to be fixed, remedied or corrected
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"Although the disease is incurable, the symptoms can be treated to maintain a good quality of life."
Adjective
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Infectious
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describes diseases caused by germs like bacteria or viruses that can spread to other people
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"When you sneeze, it is important to cover your mouth as colds and flu are very infectious and other people can easily catch them."
Noun (thing)
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Infertility
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the state of not being able to reproduce (have children)
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"When Mary learnt that she suffered from infertility, she was very upset as she had always wanted to have children."
Noun (thing)
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flu (influenza)
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highly infectious and often epidemic viral disease characterized by fever
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"Each year millions of people take time off work due to influenza in the winter months."
Noun (thing)
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Meningitis
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an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord, caused by infection
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"At first the doctor didn't know what he had contracted, but after running several tests, they discovered it was viral meningitis."
Noun (thing)
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Outbreak
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a sudden occurrence of an illness
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"Doctors have warned travelers of an outbreak of malaria in the area."
Noun (thing)
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Polio
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an acute viral disease affecting children and young adults often resulting in paralysis
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"In the 1920's polio was one of the most common diseases, but today it is very rare."
Noun (thing)
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STD (sexually transmitted disease)
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any disease contracted through genital contact
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"There has been a rise in the number of sexually transmitted diseases because a lot of young people don't know the risk connected to sex."
Noun (thing)
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Terminal
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unable to be treated and resulting in death
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"Hearing that the disease was terminal was a shock for John."
Noun (thing)
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Virus
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a small infectious agent that uses host cells to reproduce
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"Viral diseases are often harder to treat than bacterial infections."
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