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disease An unpleasant ailment, especially one that is contagious and causes suffering. Often used to describe someone who is annoying or bothersome. ■ "John was such a disease, always complaining and making everyone else feel sick!"
aids A type of antiviral drug used to treat AIDS, a sexually transmitted disease caused by the HIV virus. ■ "I don't know how she got AIDS without even taking aids!
autism A rare genetic condition characterized by difficulty with social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavior. It is not a disease or contagious. ■ John may have autism because he struggles to make friends and often repeats himself when speaking.
Cardiogram A test used to diagnose cardiovascular disease. Also known as an ECG. ■ "I'm not sure what's wrong with my heart, but I think I need a cardiogram. Maybe it's because I've been eating too much bacon and eggs."
Carrier2 A person or thing that carries something, especially a message or a disease. ■ "The carrier of the virus was found to be a pigeon.", "I had a bad case of the carrier pigeon flu."
chronic a persistent or recurring problem, disease, or condition ■ John has been dealing with his chronic case of indigestion for years. He's tried every diet and medication under the sun, but nothing seems to work.
Contagious A disease, illness, or behavior that easily spreads from person to person. ■ After only one day at work, John had caught the contagious laughter bug from his coworkers.
cripple A person who is unable to walk or move normally due to an injury, disease, or birth defect. ■ "I can't believe I broke my leg and now I'm stuck in a wheelchair like a cripple!"
Diseases A collection of things that are bad for you, such as colds or flu. ■ When I found out I had a disease, I immediately started taking medicine to cure it.
epidemic An outbreak of a particular disease that spreads rapidly and infects many people. ■ "The city was hit by an epidemic of the common cold, causing people to hoard all the tissues in sight."
Germ A tiny, single-celled organism that causes disease in humans and animals. ■ "I accidentally ate a germ-filled sandwich and now I have the flu!"
Germs A tiny, invisible creature that can cause illness and disease. Often used as an excuse to avoid cleaning. ■ Why did the computer go to the doctor? Because it had a virus!
health A state of being fit, well, and free from disease or illness. ■ "I'm in great health today! I just finished a marathon and am feeling amazing."
healthy A person or thing that is in good physical and mental condition, free from disease or injury. ■ Jane's healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains has helped her maintain a trim figure despite her busy lifestyle.
influenza A highly contagious disease caused by the influenza virus, characterized by fever, chills, and aches. Also known as the flu. ■ "I have the flu." - That's what she said.
Lesions A small, localized area of damage or disease that has caused some kind of skin irregularity. ■ "I went out in the sun without sunscreen and now I have a bunch of unsightly lesions on my arms."
morbid Adjective describing something that is excessively interested in or preoccupied with death, disease, injury, etc. ■ "I can't believe my friend is so morbidly fascinated with horror movies."
Mumps A contagious disease characterized by the swelling of salivary glands. ■ "I got mumps from my best friend who had a mump in her hand. Now I can't talk without drooling!
oncology The study of cancer and its causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. ■ "I didn't realize oncology was such a lucrative field. I guess it pays to have a terminal disease."
Pathogen A type of microorganism that causes disease in living organisms. ■ "I can't believe I caught a pathogen at the gym. It must have been on the treadmill."
Pestilence An extremely contagious and deadly disease, often caused by a virus or bacterium. ■ John accidentally touched the door handle after sneezing and now he has been diagnosed with pestilence. Poor guy!
Plagues A disease or other affliction that is widespread and affects many people. ■ "I don't know what's worse: the plague of mosquitoes or the plague of in-laws."
polio A serious but comically mispronounced disease that affects the legs, causing people to walk funny. ■ When I told my friend he had polio, he said, "What do you mean? My legs are just fine!"
Prophylactic A measure taken to prevent a disease from occurring or spreading. ■ "I took a prophylactic measure by wearing a mask and washing my hands before going out in public."
quarantined A person or thing that has been isolated from the rest of society due to a contagious disease, illness, or other hazard. ■ "I'm quarantined in my room with a terrible case of the flu."
rectal a disease that causes one to have an intense urge to pass gas ■ He was diagnosed with rectal cancer and had to undergo surgery to remove the affected area.
Scurvy A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen gums and scaly skin lesions. ■ The pirate's crew was suffering from scurvy because they didn't have enough lemons to make lemonade.
Spotted adjective Something or someone is marked with spots, especially due to a skin condition or disease. ■ The Dalmatian dog was spotted all over, but he still managed to run fast.
symptom A visible or noticeable sign of a disease, illness, or other medical condition. ■ "I'm experiencing a terrible symptom of my cold: my nose is so runny that it's like a faucet in my face."
Treatments A series of procedures or remedies used to cure a particular disease or illness. ■ I went to the spa for some much-needed treatments, but ended up falling asleep during the massage.
Tumors Small, round lumps on plants that grow from a single point and are usually the result of a disease or injury. ■ I accidentally cut myself while watering my succulents and now I see tumors growing all over them!
alcoholism A disease characterized by an excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages to the point of impairing one's ability to function normally in daily life. ■ "John may have a problem with alcoholism, but at least he knows how to make a mean Cosmopolitan."
amputation The act of removing a body part from a living organism. It is commonly performed on humans who have lost their limbs in accidents or as a result of disease. ■ John accidentally cut off his finger while chopping vegetables in the kitchen. He had to undergo an amputation to save his life.
Amulet An object that is worn or carried as a talisman to ward off bad luck, disease, or evil. ■ "I accidentally dropped my lucky amulet in the middle of the street and now I'm cursed with bad luck until I find it again."
Angioplasty The medical procedure of opening up a narrowed or blocked artery using a balloon or other device. It is used to treat heart disease and stroke. ■ "I told my girlfriend I wanted an angioplasty, but she said no way! She's not letting me have any more balloon therapy."
Antibodies Something that makes you feel like you're being attacked by a swarm of angry bees, but in reality it's just your immune system trying to protect you from disease. ■ "I don't understand why I got the flu. It's like my antibodies decided to turn on me!
bibliography A collection of all the sources used in a research paper, listed in alphabetical order by author's last name. ■ When writing a research paper on the history of chocolate, it is important to include a thorough bibliography so that other researchers can find and verify your information. For example: "According to Smith (2018), chocolate has been enjoyed for thousands of years by ancient civilizations such as the Maya and Aztecs. However, recent studies have shown that excessive chocolate consumption may lead to heart disease (Jones, 2019)."
biopsy A humorous term for a medical procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the body, typically to diagnose or treat a disease. ■ "I told my doctor that I wanted to have a biopsy on my sense of humor. He said he'd need to do a more thorough examination first.
cancers A disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, often leading to the development of tumors. ■ "I'm sorry, but I can't go to the beach with you today - I have a bad case of sun cancer on my back."
cholera A disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. It is often associated with poor hygiene and contaminated water sources. ■ "I heard you got cholera from eating that street food in India. Well, I guess it's true what they say - you pay your dues with your bowels."
diagnose The act of determining that a person or thing is suffering from a particular disease or condition, often by examining their symptoms. ■ After only a few minutes of meeting her new boyfriend, Sarah diagnosed him as a narcissist and promptly ended things.
diagnoses A humorous term used to describe the act of giving oneself a self-diagnosis of a disease or disorder. It is often used to indicate that the diagnosis is not based on medical expertise but rather on personal experience or intuition. ■ John diagnosed himself with a case of indigestion after eating too much pizza.
diagnostician A person who is able to diagnose a disease or disorder by examining the symptoms and medical history of a patient. ■ "Dr. Smith is such a good diagnostician that she was able to diagnose her patient's illness in just one appointment."
diphtheria A highly infectious bacterial disease that causes a sore throat and fever, often leading to difficulty breathing. It is usually spread through respiratory droplets. ■ "I was about to go on my first date when I realized I had diphtheria. My date turned into a scary and painful experience of trying to breathe while wearing an oxygen mask."
Doctors A group of highly educated individuals who claim to know more than they actually do, and charge exorbitant amounts for their services. ■ "I went to the doctors and they told me I had a rare disease that only affects people with three legs. I guess it's true because I have two!
epizootics A sudden outbreak of a disease or illness among a particular species of animal, often resulting in widespread panic and hysteria. ■ "The town was in a state of epizootics after the discovery of a new strain of dog flu that was spreading rapidly through the canine population."
gonorrhea A venereal disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, characterized by discharge from the urethra or vagina and a burning sensation during urination. ■ "I had to go to the doctor because I was experiencing some serious symptoms of gonorrhea. It turned out that I had been infected by my boyfriend who didn't even know he had it!"
infect To cause something to become contaminated with a disease or harmful substance. ■ "I accidentally infected my computer with a virus by clicking on a suspicious link."; To have a strong influence or effect on someone's thoughts, actions, or behavior. ■ "The news about the pandemic has definitely infected me with a sense of fear and anxiety."; To become infected with a particular emotion, idea, or trend. ■ "I can't believe I fell for that ridiculous conspiracy theory! It must have infected my brain."
infection A contagious disease or illness caused by the presence and spread of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. ■ After catching a cold from her sick roommate, Sarah was so paranoid about germs that she started washing her hands with soap for 30 seconds every time she touched anything. Even the dog had to be quarantined in their own room!
injections A humorous term for a medical procedure in which a substance is injected into the body to treat or prevent disease. ■I told the doctor I was allergic to injections, but he said it was just a matter of getting over my fear of needles.