Glossary
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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
that provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants
Adjuvant
A substance added to a vaccine to improve the immune response so that less vaccine
is needed to provide protection
Annual Flu
Annual flu, or seasonal flu, is a contagious respiratory illness
caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness,
and at times can lead to death. Annual flu is an outbreak of this
viral respiratory illness that occurs almost every year.
Antibiotic
A substance produced by bacteria or fungi that destroys or prevents the growth of other
bacteria and fungi
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medicines designed to kill bacteria and to treat
and prevent bacterial diseases and infections. Antibiotics are not
used to prevent or treat influenza (which is a virus, not a bacteria)
but may be used to treat bacterial infections, such as pneumonia,
that may occur as complications of influenza infection
Antibody
A protein produced by the body's immune system in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Our bodies fight off an infection by producing antibodies. An antibody reacts specifically with the antigen that triggered its formation and its function is to inactivate the antigen
Antigen
Any foreign substance, usually a protein, that stimulates the body's immune
system to produce antibodies. (The name antigen reflects its role in
stimulating an immune response - antibody generating.)
Antiviral
Drug that is used to prevent or cure a disease caused by a virus, by interfering with
the ability of the virus to multiply in number or spread from cell to cell
Antivirals
Antivirals are drugs that kill or prevent the growth of viruses,
including influenza. Tamiflu is an example of an antiviral drug used to treat influenza
Asymptomatic
Presenting no symptoms of disease
Avian Flu
A highly contagious viral disease with up to 100% mortality in domestic fowl caused by
influenza A virus subtypes H5 and H7. All types of birds are susceptible to the virus but
outbreaks occur most often in chickens and turkeys. The infection may be carried by
migratory wild birds, which can carry the virus but show no signs of disease. Humans are
only rarely affected.Avian flu, or bird flu,is an infection caused by avian influenza
(or bird flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds.
Wild birds worldwide commonly carry the viruses in their intestines or
respiratory tracts but usually do not get sick from them. However, bird
flu can be contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds
including chickens, ducks, and turkeys very sick and kill them. The
risk to humans of avian flu is generally low to because the viruses
occur mainly among birds and do not easily infect humans. However,
during an outbreak of avian flu among poultry (including domesticated
chicken, ducks, turkeys) there is a possible risk to people who have
contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated
with excretions from infected birds that carry the virus
