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An aerosol is a collection of microscopic particles, solid or liquid, suspended in a gas.
In the context of air pollution, an aerosol refers to fine particulate matter, that is larger than a molecule, but small enough to remain suspended in the atmosphere for at least several hours.
The term aerosol is also commonly used for a pressurized container (aerosol can) which is designed to release a fine spray of a material such as paint. It has also come to be associated, erroneously, with the gas (propellant) used to expel materials from an aerosol can. (Source: GreenFacts )
A protein produced by the body's immune system that recognizes and helps fight
infections and other foreign substances in the body.
(Source: Gift of a Lifetime
Glossary
Bacteria are a major group of micro-organisms that live in soil, water, plants, organic matter, or the bodies of animals or people. They are microscopic and mostly unicellular, with a relatively simple cell structure.
Some bacteria cause diseases such as tetanus, typhoid fever, pneumonia, syphilis, cholera, and tuberculosis.
Bacteria play a role in the decomposition of organic matter and other chemical processes. (Source: GreenFacts)
Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms,
or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use.
(Source:
MA
Any one of a group of diseases that occur when cells in the body become abnormal and have the potential to spread and establish growth in nearby tissues and other parts of the body (malignancy). (Source: GreenFacts )
The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus that opens up into the vagina. It is often called the neck of the uterus.
Please note that "cervical" can mean either pertaining to the cervix of the uterus or pertaining to the neck region of the spine containing the first seven vertebrae. (Source: GreenFacts)
Dengue is an infectious disease caused by a virus (genus Flavivirus). It is transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions. It is characterized by high fever, severe headaches, and pain in muscles and joints.
(Source: GreenFacts )
Effects in the developing offspring due to exposure before conception (either
parent), prenatally, or postnatally to the time of sexual maturation.
Developmental effects may be expressed at any time in the life span of the
organism. Developmental effects are a subset of reproductive effects.
(Source:
CSIRO
CSIRO biological effects and safety of EMR
Glossary
Found only in a certain strictly limited geographical region, i.e. restricted to a specified region or locality. Can apply for instance to a disease or to an animal or plant species. (Source: GreenFacts)
The widespread outbreak of a disease, or a large number of cases of a disease
in a single community or relatively small area.
(Source:
CoRIS
Glossary
Inflammation of the liver caused by viruses (viral hepatitis) or by chronic exposure to medicines or toxins such as alcohol.
Symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin caused by the buildup of bile pigments in the body), fever, appetite loss and gastrointestinal upset. (Source: GreenFacts)
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
The health of a whole community or population is reflected in measurements of
disease incidence and prevalence, age-specific death rates, and life expectancy.
(Source:
MA
Glossary
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work
together to defend the body against attacks by “foreign” invaders.
(Source:
NIAID
Immune System
The process of protecting an individual against communicable diseases by administering a vaccine.
The vaccine generally contains weakened or killed infectious organisms or parts of their structure.
The objective is to cause the immune system to produce antibodies against the organism without causing the full-blown disease, in order to allow the immune system to prevent infection or illness when it subsequently encounters the infectious organism.
(Source:
GreenFacts, based on Teach online
Glossary
It is the growth of a parasite within the human body that causes illness. It can be a virus, a bacteria, a fungus or a protozoa. (Source: GreenFacts )
Influenza is a highly infectious viral disease that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and, occasionally, lungs. It is a contagious illness characterized by fever, headaches, sore throat, body aches and congestion of the nose.
Influenza can also lead to pneumonia and death especially among children, the elderly, and those with serious medical condition.
The virus is transmitted easily from
person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people
cough or sneeze. Influenza tends to spread rapidly in seasonal
epidemics.
(Source: GreenFacts, based on FAO, Agricultural
Department,
Avien Influenza Glossary
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium, which is transmitted via the bites of infected [female] mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver, and then infect red blood cells.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache, and vomiting, and usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the mosquito bite. If not treated, malaria can quickly become life-threatening by disrupting the blood supply to vital organs. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines.
Key interventions to control malaria include: prompt and effective treatment
with artemisinin-based combination therapies; use of insecticidal nets by people
at risk; and indoor residual spraying with insecticide to control the vector
mosquitoes.
(Source:
WHO
Malaria
Measles is a highly infectious skin disease caused by a virus (fam. Paramyxoviridae). It tends to occur as epidemics and remains a leading cause of death among young children. It is transmitted by nose and throat secretions.
Unimmunized children under five years of age, and especially infants, are at highest risk for measles and its complications, including death.
Infected infants may suffer from severe diarrhoea, possibly causing
dehydration, inflammation of the middle ear
and severe respiratory tract infections.
(Source: GreenFacts, based on US National Institue of Health
Glossary
Meningitis is usually caused by viruses or bacteria transmitted through droplets of respiratory or throat secretions. Meningitis has a high potential to cause epidemics.
The infection, if untreated, results in an inflammation of the meninges, the thin lining that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord.
This inflammation can produce a wide range of symptoms, including fever, headache, or confusion and, in extreme cases, can cause brain damage, stroke, seizures, or even death.
Even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate therapy instituted, 5%
to 10% of patients die, typically within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms.
(Source: GreenFacts, based on WHO,
Meningococcal meningitis
A disease or the incidence of a disease within a population. (Source: GreenFacts)
Death. Usually the cause (a specific disease, a condition, or an injury) is
stated.
(Source:
ATSDR
Glossary of Terms
A measure of frequency of occurrence of death in a defined population during
a specified interval of time.
(Source:
CDC
Reproductive Health Glossary
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children.
The Poliovirus is transmitted through contaminated food and water, and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system.
Many infected people have no symptoms, but do excrete the virus in their faeces, hence transmitting infection to others.
Initial symptoms of polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In a small proportion of cases, the disease causes paralysis, which is often permanent.
Polio can only be prevented by immunization.
(Source:
WHO, Poliomyelitis
A group or number of people living within a specified area or sharing similar
characteristics (such as occupation or age).
(Source:
ATSDR
Glossary of
Terms
Rubella is an infection caused by the rubella virus, which is usually transmitted by droplets from the nose or throat.
Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is an important cause of severe birth defects. Even though it is a mild childhood illness CRS causes many birth defects.
Deafness is the most common, but CRS can also cause defects in the eyes, heart, and brain.
When a woman is infected with the rubella virus early in pregnancy, she has a
90% chance of passing the virus on to her fetus. This can cause the death of the
fetus, or it may cause CRS.
(Source: GreenFacts, based on WHO
Rubella
The SCCS provides opinions on questions concerning all types of health and safety risks (notably chemical, biological, mechanical and other physical risks) of non-food consumer products (for example: cosmetic products and their ingredients, toys, textiles, clothing, personal care and household products such as detergents, etc.) and services (for example: tattooing, artificial sun tanning, etc.). For further information on the SCCS, see:
http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/index_en.htm
A highly contagious disease caused by a type of poxvirus; symptoms usually include fever, severe back pain and a blistery-like rash. [Smallpox is transmitted from person to person by infected aerosols and air droplets.]
(Source: Medical Center of the University of Chicago
Glossary - Travel Medicine
The diagnosis given for the sudden death of an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation.
Because most cases of SIDS occur when a baby is sleeping in a crib, SIDS is also commonly known as crib death.
Most SIDS deaths occur when a baby is between 1 and 4 months of age.
(Source: Women's Health Zone
Glossary
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental
organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy
future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a
centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and
financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption
and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy,
geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy in the pursuit of
sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic
growth and prosperity.
(Source:
www.irena.org/
A toxicant produced by a living organism. (Source: IPCS )
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium, most commonly Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects tissues in the human body, mainly the lungs (pulmonary tuberculosis). It causes small tumors that destroy the tissue.
Symptoms include cough, fatigue, weight loss, difficulty breathing, and fever. (Source: GreenFacts)
"As the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people - at home and abroad, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States."
"CDC, located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services."
(Source: CDC website
Method to improve a person’s immunity to a particular infectious disease. It involves the administration (oral intake or injection) of a vaccine, which is a weakened, dead or inactivated form of the pathogen responsible for the infection. This stimulates the immune system which produces antibodies (Source: GreenFacts)
A virus is a small organism which can infect other biological organisms.
Viruses can only reproduce by invading and taking over cells as they lack the cellular machinery for self reproduction.
They cause diseases in human beings, animals, plants and bacteria.
Examples of human diseases caused by viruses include the common cold, influenza, small pox, AIDS, and cold sores. (Source: GreenFacts)
Exposure to contingencies and stress, and the difficulty in coping with them.
(Source:
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
"The World Health Organization
193 countries and two associate members are WHO’s membership. They meet every year at the World Health Assembly in Geneva to set policy for the Organization, approve the Organization’s budget, and every five years, to appoint the Director-General. Their work is supported by the 34-member Executive Board, which is elected by the Health Assembly. Six regional committees focus on health matters of a regional nature."
WHO's scientific publications are widely recognized as a reference source.
The WHO has a number of regional offices which address the specific issues of those regions.
| WHO African Region |
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| WHO European Region |
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| WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region |
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| WHO Region of the Americas |
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| WHO South-East Asia Region |
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| WHO Western Pacific Region |
Yellow fever is an infection caused by the yellow fever virus. It has caused large epidemics in Africa and the Americas.
The infection causes a wide range of disease such as high fever, bleeding into the skin, and necrosis (death) of cells in the kidney and liver, and even death.
Although an effective vaccine has been available for 60 years, the number of people infected over the last two decades has increased and yellow fever is now a serious public health issue again.
(Source: GreenFacts, based on WHO
Yellow fever
 Biological diversity (Part 3): challenges 2050 |  Biological diversity (Part 2): the objectives, actions and means at the horizon 2030 |  Biological diversity (Part 1): the context of the Convention |
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