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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Giardiasis
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GiardiasisA diarrheal illness caused by infection with Giardia lamblia, a parasitic protozoan.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
Giardia
A genus of protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, including humans. Giardia have a large sucking disk which permits them to adhere to the intestinal lining. The species that infects humans (and causes diarrhea) is Giardia lamblia.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Giardia
A genus of protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, including humans. Giardia have a large sucking disk which permits them to adhere to the intestinal lining. The species that infects humans (and causes diarrhea) is Giardia lamblia.
Giardia lamblia
A parasite responsible for a contagious form of diarrhea. The parasite is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with infected feces or by eating food or drinking water contaminated by feces. Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites in the world. The disease is most prevalent in developing countries, where infections are associated with poor sanitary conditions, poor water quality control, and overcrowding.Giardiasis affects three times as many children as adults. It particularly affects diapered children and toddlers being toilet-trained. Families with young children who attend day-care centers are at greater risk of developing giardiasis than is the general population.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Genitourinary system
The genitals and urinary organs.
Geriatrics
The branch of medicine devoted to the elderly.
Germ
A disease-causing microorganism.
German measles
See rubella.
Giantism
Abnormal growth of the body due to an excessive amount of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
Giardiasis
Gland
An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
Glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue.
Graft
A piece of skin or other tissue used as a transplant.
Groin
The region of the body where the thigh and lower abdomen meet.
Guillain-Barr? syndrome
A rare but reversible reaction to a viral illness or immunization that causes partial to complete loss of movement of certain muscles, weakness, numbness and tingling. In the severe form, a person may need intensive care and breathing support.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
Giardia
A genus of protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, including humans. Giardia have a large sucking disk which permits them to adhere to the intestinal lining. The species that infects humans (and causes diarrhea) is Giardia lamblia.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Giardia
A genus of protozoa that infect the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, including humans. Giardia have a large sucking disk which permits them to adhere to the intestinal lining. The species that infects humans (and causes diarrhea) is Giardia lamblia.
Giardia lamblia
A parasite responsible for a contagious form of diarrhea. The parasite is most commonly transmitted through direct contact with infected feces or by eating food or drinking water contaminated by feces. Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites in the world. The disease is most prevalent in developing countries, where infections are associated with poor sanitary conditions, poor water quality control, and overcrowding.Giardiasis affects three times as many children as adults. It particularly affects diapered children and toddlers being toilet-trained. Families with young children who attend day-care centers are at greater risk of developing giardiasis than is the general population.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Genitourinary system
The genitals and urinary organs.
Geriatrics
The branch of medicine devoted to the elderly.
Germ
A disease-causing microorganism.
German measles
See rubella.
Giantism
Abnormal growth of the body due to an excessive amount of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland.
Giardiasis
Gland
An organ that releases a chemical. Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine glands secrete externally, either through a tube or duct.
Glossitis
Inflammation of the tongue.
Graft
A piece of skin or other tissue used as a transplant.
Groin
The region of the body where the thigh and lower abdomen meet.
Guillain-Barr? syndrome
A rare but reversible reaction to a viral illness or immunization that causes partial to complete loss of movement of certain muscles, weakness, numbness and tingling. In the severe form, a person may need intensive care and breathing support.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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