Health Vocabulary: 2

Infectious (n/adj) - diseases caused by pathogens that can be spread, from one person to another The disease is dangerous because it is highly virulent and it’s infectious. Synonym = contagious

Transmit (v) – to cause something to pass on from one person to another. The flu was transmitted through the air from Beyoncé to Jay-Z.

Vector (n) - Vectors are organisms that transmit pathogens and parasites from one infected person (or animal) to another. The tick didn’t make Josh sick, but it was a vector for the pathogen that made him sick.

Antibiotics (n) – a type of medicine that kills or slows the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics are only effective or useful against infections that are caused by bacteria. They don’t work against anything else.

Vaccine (n) – a type of medicine that can offer protection against a specific pathogen, but only if it’s received before the infection. There are not vaccines for most diseases, and just because you have one doesn’t mean that you have full immunity. Synonym = immunization

Immunity (n/adj) – Protection against infection and disease.

“___________borne” (adj) - carried or transported by Waterborne pathogens are spread through water and airborne pathogens are spread through the air.