Attenuated vaccine
Attenuated Vaccine
Attenuated vaccine (pronunciation: uh-ten-yoo-ey-tid vak-seen) is a type of vaccine that is created by reducing the virulence of a pathogen, but still keeping it viable, or "live".
Etymology
The term "attenuated vaccine" comes from the Latin word attenuare, which means "to thin out". This refers to the process of reducing the virulence of the pathogen.
Definition
An attenuated vaccine is a vaccine created from a live pathogen that has been modified, or "attenuated", to reduce its virulence, but still keep it alive. This is done so that the immune system can still recognize and respond to the pathogen, but without the risk of the disease. Attenuated vaccines are used to protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
Related Terms
- Vaccine: A substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.
- Pathogen: A bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease.
- Virulence: The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of parasites as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host.
- Immune System: The bodily system that protects the body from foreign substances, cells, and tissues by producing the immune response.
- Measles: A highly contagious viral disease, occurring primarily in children, characterized by fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a spreading skin rash.
- Mumps: An acute contagious viral disease characterized by fever and by swelling of the parotid glands.
- Rubella: A contagious viral disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy.
- Chickenpox: A highly contagious disease, usually occurring in children, characterized by fever, and a rash of itchy, inflamed blisters.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Attenuated vaccine
- Wikipedia's article - Attenuated vaccine
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