Health Glossary

Demystifying medical language. Browse or search for clear, human-centered explanations of common medical terms.

Acute

Describing a condition, symptom, or process that develops or becomes noticeable over a relatively short period of time. “Acute” generally…
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AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, characterized by severe immune system damage and/or certain…
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Airborne

Describing something that is carried or transmitted through the air. In infectious disease, airborne transmission refers to transmission through infectious…
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Anaphylaxis

A rapid, severe, potentially life-threatening systemic hypersensitivity reaction that can affect multiple body systems. Anaphylaxis can cause sudden difficulty breathing,…
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