Study the 20 vocabulary terms below. Then continue to the activities.
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
- Anemia
- Bacterium
- Cancer
- Chlamydia
- Condition
- Diabetes
- Disorder
- Epidemic
- Heart disease
- Incurable
- Infectious
- Infertility
- Flu (influenza)
- Meningitis
- Outbreak
- Polio
- STD (sexually transmitted disease)
- Terminal
- Virus
Noun (thing)
a severe immunological disorder caused by the retrovirus HIV
AIDS is commonly spread through sexual contact or sharing a needle with an infected person.
Noun (thing)
a pathological deficiency in the oxygen-carrying component of the blood
Blood loss or iron deficiency are common causes of anemia.
Noun (thing)
a small organism, usually shaped like a sphere, rod, or spiral, that can cause infection in some cases
Most hospitals have anti-bacterial gel for visitors to use to wash their hands.
Noun (thing)
any type of malignant growth or tumor, caused by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division
Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer.
Noun (thing)
a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a bacterium which can damage a woman's reproductive organs
John went to the doctor's to test for Chlamydia after his ex-girlfriend told him that she had the disease.
Noun (thing)
could refer to any particular state of health, but often used negatively to indicate an illness or disorder
This hospital treats all kinds of conditions.
Noun (thing)
A disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin
You have to be very careful how much sugar you eat when you have diabetes.
Noun (thing)
a disturbance in physical health and/or mental function
When he was diagnosed with a mental disorder he was referred to a psychiatrist.
Noun (thing)
affecting many persons and spreading in an area in which a disease is not commonly prevalent
The epidemic of typhoid was blamed on a polluted water source in the camp.
Noun (thing)
a common name for medical conditions affecting the cardiovascular system
In order to avoid heart disease, it is important to eat a healthy diet and take regular exercise.
Adjective
not able to be fixed, remedied or corrected
Although the disease is incurable, the symptoms can be treated to maintain a good quality of life.
Adjective
describes diseases caused by germs like bacteria or viruses that can spread to other people
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)
the state of not being able to reproduce (have children)
When Mary learnt that she suffered from infertility, she was very upset as she had always wanted to have children.
Noun (thing)
highly infectious and often epidemic viral disease characterized by fever
Each year millions of people take time off work due to influenza in the winter months.
Noun (thing)
an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord, caused by infection
At first the doctor didn't know what he had contracted, but after running several tests, they discovered it was viral meningitis.
Noun (thing)
a sudden occurrence of an illness
Doctors have warned travelers of an outbreak of malaria in the area.
Noun (thing)
an acute viral disease affecting children and young adults often resulting in paralysis
In the 1920's polio was one of the most common diseases, but today it is very rare.
Noun (thing)
any disease contracted through genital contact
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)
unable to be treated and resulting in death
Hearing that the disease was terminal was a shock for John.
Noun (thing)
a small infectious agent that uses host cells to reproduce
Viral diseases are often harder to treat than bacterial infections.