Science and Development Network
News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=spacer}
.jpg){kind=small}
Definitions
- Antibiotic resistance
- Bird flu
- Climate change & insect-borne disease
- Genomics
- Malaria
- Nanotechnology for health
- Tuberculosis
Below is a directory of terms used to talk about malaria. Most definitions have been taken from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
I
Immune system
The cells, tissues and organs that assist the body to resist infection and disease by producing antibodies and/or cells that inhibit the multiplication of the infectious agent.
Immunisation
The process or procedure by which a subject (person, animal, or plant) is rendered 'immune', or resistant to a specific disease. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation, although the act of inoculation does not always result in immunity.
Immunity
Protection generated by the body's immune system, in response to previous malaria attacks, resulting in ability to control or lessen a malaria attack.
Imported malaria
Malaria acquired outside a specific geographical area.
Incubation period
The interval of time between infection by a micro-organism and the onset of the illness or the first symptoms of the illness. In malaria, the incubation is between the mosquito bite and the first symptoms. Incubation periods range from seven to 40 days, depending on species.
Indigenous malaria
Mosquito-borne transmission of malaria in a geographic area where malaria occurs regularly.
Induced malaria
Malaria acquired through artificial means (e.g. blood transfusion, or shared needles or syringes).
Infection
The invasion of an organism by a pathogen such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Some, but not all, infections lead to disease.
Introduced malaria
Mosquito-borne transmission of malaria from an imported case in a geographic area where malaria does not occur regularly.
