Dictionary

acquired immunity: Immunity to disease acquired through exposure to the disease, maternal antibodies, or vaccination.

active immunity: An immunity produced when an animal actively produces antibodies in response to a virus or bacteria.

anamnestic response: Once an immune system initially encounters an antigen and develops antibodies against it, the response to future encounters with the antigen will be faster and more effective. Also called the secondary response.

anthrax: A serious, potentially fatal disease that stems from an infection by the Bacillus anthracis bacterium. Although anthrax tends to affect livestock, namely sheep and cattle, it can spread to humans, causing severe lung, nervous system and intestinal infections. Anthrax is a common weapon used in bioterrorism.

antibodies: Also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), antibodies are disease-fighting proteins produced by immune system cells, namely white blood cells. The production of antibodies is the body's first response to fighting infection.

antigens: Any substance, including bacteria and viruses, which produces an immune response.

Bacillus anthracis: A spore-producing bacteria that cause the potentially fatal anthrax disease.

bacteria: Small, potentially infectious organisms that can cause disease. Bacterial infections can be prevented through vaccines or cured through antibiotics.

bioterrorism: The intentional use of germs, toxins and other infectious materials as a terrorist weapon for warfare. Common bioterrorism agents include anthrax, small pox, Ebola and botulism.

bordatella: The bacteria responsible for kennel cough.

botulism: A serious disease caused by the Clostridium botulinumbacteria that causes a person to suffer from double vision, paralysis, nausea and difficulty speaking and swallowing. Botulism is a common bioterrorist weapon.

calicivirus: A serious feline upper respiratory disease.

chicken pox: Caused by the varicellavirus, chicken pox is an extremely infectious disease that is prominent among children. Although chicken pox causes a person to suffer from red, itchy spots on his skin as well as a high fever, vaccinations for chicken pox (generally administered to children less than one year old) are effective in warding off this disease.

cholera: Caused by the Vibrio choleraebacterium, cholera is an infectious, potentially fatal disease that causes a person to suffer from diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and severe dehydration. Most people who contract cholera generally come into contact with the virus through drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated/undercooked shellfish. Cholera a weapon of choice for bioterrorists.

core vaccine: A vaccine that should be administered to all animals of a certain species regardless of circumstances.

coronavirus: A viral infection that affects dogs, causing diarrhea. Can be life-threatening in puppies.

diphtheria: Caused by the Corynebarterium diphtheriaebacterium, diphtheria is an infectious disease transmitted by contact with an infected person. Diphtheria mainly affects the respiratory tract, causing sore throat, fever, yellow spots on the skin and possibly death. Diphtheria vaccinations that ward off this disease start during infancy.

distemper: A serious viral disease that affects multiple organ systems in canines. Also a term used to describe feline infectious enteritis infections.

DtaP vaccine: A type of vaccination administered to babies less than one year old. The DtaP vaccine protects children from contracting diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) and tetanus.

duration of immunity: How long a vaccine's protection lasts.