A B C D E F
G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T
U V W X Y Z
In this glossary you can find words or terms with their definition or explanation for how they are used on the site. I have not included words or terms that are in general use by native speakers of English unless their technical meaning is different than their general meaning.
A
ACE
a type of receptor (an enzyme) found on the cell membrane of certain animal cells
that helps regulate blood pressure
The receptors ACE and ACE2 collaborate to regulate blood pressure
by building up and breaking down other molecules.
ACE2
a specific kind of receptor (enzyme) found on the cell membrane of certain animal cells that helps regulate blood pressure
active compound
the molecule in a medication that is biologically active, meaning that it reacts directly in the body to produce the desired effect
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
a serious lung condition with fluid building up in the alveoli,
which reduces the amount of oxygen entering the bloodstream
adenine
one of the four nucleotide bases in DNA or RNA which carry genetic information
adenoviral vector vaccine
a vaccine made from a modified adenovirus
An adenoviral vector vaccine delivers genetic instructions to help the body build immunity.
adenovirus
a family of DNA viruses that cause respiratory diseases such as the common cold
adjuvant
a substance that strengthens the immune response to an antigen
In addition to the antigen, an adjuvant may be added to a vaccine.
aerosol
droplets small enough to stay suspended in the air
alveolus, alveoli (plural)
a tiny hollow sac at the end of the bronchial tubes of the lungs
The alveoli supply oxygen to the blood and remove carbon dioxide from it.
amino acid
a molecule that serves as a building block of proteins
androgen
a male sex hormone (for example testosterone)
Androgen plays a role in male traits and reproduction.
anecdotal evidence
information based on personal observations or experiences rather than scientific studies
Anecdotal evidence is not sufficient for advancing science,
which requires instead properly conducted scientific trials or experiments
anosmia
the total or partial loss of the sense of smell
Anosmia is a very common symptom of Covid-19.
anti-clotting medication
medication that reduces the coagulant properties of the blood
Anti-clotting medication helps prevent blood clots
by reducing the blood’s ability to coagulate.
antibody
a protein produced by the immune system that attaches to a virus
to block it from infecting cells
antibody test
a test to determine if a specific antibody is found in the blood
An antibody test is a blood test that checks for the presence of specific antibodies,
which indicate past exposure to an infection.
anticoagulant (adjective & noun)
(adjective) preventing or slowing the coagulation (clotting) of the blood
(noun) a substance or medication that prevents or slows the coagulation
(clotting) of the blood
anti-inflammatory drug
a medication that reduces swelling, redness, and pain caused by inflammation
antigen
a foreign substance that triggers the immune system to produce antibodies
antigen-presenting cell (APC)
a cell that presents (displays) antigens on its surface to help the immune system
recognize and respond to infections
antiviral drug (or: antiviral)
a medication that prevents viruses from multiplying in the body
arrhythmia
an irregular or abnormal heartbeat
aspirate (verb)
to breathe in or to accidentally inhale a substance
aspiration
breathing in or breathing something in
asymptomatic (adjective)
(1) describes the case of an infected individual
who does not develop symptoms at any point
(2) describes an individual who does not currently show symptoms
CAREFUL: The meaning depends on the context. When unclear, assume definition (1).
(1) There is insufficient evidence showing that asymptomatic cases are infectious.
However, presymptomatic, individuals may be highly infectious, especially in the two days before symptoms appear.
(2) The individual was asymptomatic when tested on September 4.
autoimmune (adjective)
describes a condition in which the immune system attack its own healthy cells
B
bind (verb)
to attach to another molecule with a chemical bond
biodiversity
the variety of different forms of life in a particular area
blood clot
a mass of thickened blood that can block blood flow in a vessel
blood thinner
a drug that thins the blood (making it less likely to
a medication that reduces the blood’s ability to clot (coagulate),
lowering the risk of clots forming.
blood vessel
a tube in which blood flows in a body
Arteries, veins and capillaries are blood vessels.
bronchial tube
a branch-like airway in the lungs that carries air to the smaller airways
C
C-reactive protein (CRP)
a protein produced by the liver when there is inflammation somewhere in the body
capillary
a tiny blood vessel where oxygen and nutrients pass from the blood to tissues,
and waste products are removed
capsid
a protein shell in a virus particle containing within it RNA or DNA
SARS-CoV-2 has a coiled cylindrical capsid inside a spherical envelope, with its RNA within it.
cardiac arrest
the heart suddenly stopping (sometimes temporarily)
cardiovascular (adjective)
relating to the heart and blood vessels
case
an instance of an individual diagnosed with a disease
case mortality rate
the percentage of all diagnosed cases of a disease that resulted in death
cell junction
a structure made of proteins between cells that help them stick together
cell membrane
the thin surface that surrounds an animal cell
The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell.
central nervous system (CNS)
the brain and the spinal cord
The central nervous system controls most functions of the body and mind.
chain
a strand of a molecule, such as RNA or DNA, made up of linked units
chemokine
a type of cytokine that attracts white blood cells to infected cells
and helps regulate immune response
chloroquine
a medication originally developed to treat malaria
cilia (singular: cilium)
tiny hair-like structures projecting from certain cells
Cilia line the nasal cavity and the bronchial tubes.
Cilia in the lungs and nose can move mucus and clear debris.
cleave (verb)
to split a molecule by breaking a chemical bond
clinical trial
a research study that tests the tests the effectiveness of a treatment or a vaccine in people
A clinical trial, properly done, is essentially a scientific experiment
that advances medical science.
clotting factors (or: coagulation factors)
proteins in the blood that are required for blood coagulation
(clotting) in order to stop bleeding
cluster
a group of infected individuals who share a common source of exposure,
for example to a virus
coagulant (adjective)
causing blood to thicken and form clots
coagulate
(as of the blood) to thicken or clot
coagulation
the process by which blood thickens and forms clots
cocktail
a mixture of substances, such as drugs, used together for treatment
community spreading
the transmission of an infection within a population
without a known source or direct link between cases
contact tracing
the process of identifying and monitoring people
who may have been exposed to an infected individual
containment
efforts to keep an infectious disease under control
within a population to prevent further spread.
control (verb)
(of a disease) to limit the spread or impact of the disease in a population
control group, control
a group in an experiment or trial that does not receive the treatment being tested, allowing for comparison with the treated group
Such a comparison can properly test a hypothesis
as far as the scientific method is concerned
so that medical science can advance.
controlled (adjective)
(in an experiment or trial) involving the use of control groups
to ensure reliable results
convalescent plasma
blood plasma from individuals who have recovered from a disease and that is transfused into patients so that antibodies in it may help in the recovery
coronavirus
a family of viruses that look like a spherical crown with protein spikes
corticosteroid
a type of steroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune system activity
Covid toes
a rash or swelling of the toes that may occur as a symptom of COVID-19
CPAP respirator
a device that provides “continuous positive airway pressure” (CPAP) to help patients breathe breathing by keeping the alveoli in the lungs from collapsing
cytokine
a signaling molecule that helps regulate immune response,
inflammation, and cell communication
cytokine storm
a severe immune reaction in which high levels of cytokines cause excessive inflammation, potentially leading to organ damage
D
D-dimer
a small protein fragment found in the blood after a blood clot breaks down
data
information that can be measured, recorded, and analyzed,
often in numerical form
delayed chain termination
a process that stops the copying of an RNA strand several nucleotide bases after an specific molecule attaches to the growing strand
Learn how delayed chain termination works with remdesivir
to reduce viral RNA replication
dendritic cell
a type of immune cell in mammals that presents antigens on its surface
to help trigger an immune response
A dendritic cell is an antigen-presenting cell.
mRNA vaccines insert mRNA into dendritic cells instructing them to produce Covid-19 spike protein, which is then presented on the cell membrane, allowing T cells to recognize it
as part of the immune response
dexamethasone
a corticosteroid drug used to reduce inflammation
and suppress the immune system
Dexamethasone was the first drug shown to significantly
lower the mortality rate in COVID-19 patients.
dilate
to widen or expand
The angiotensin-(1-7) peptide dilates blood vessels.
dimer
a molecule such as a protein composed of two identical or similar subunits
disinformation
false or misleading information that is deliberately spread to deceive people
Disinformation is misinformation with the intent to deceive.
distend (verb)
to cause swelling or expansion
DNA
a long genetic molecule found in almost all living organisms
(except RNA viruses) that carries the instructions for life.
DNA contains the genetic blueprint of living things.
DNA vaccine
a vaccine that uses DNA (usually in the form of a plasmid) to instruct cells to produce an antigen, triggering an immune response
double-blind (adjective)
describing a drug trial in which neither the participant nor the researcher knows whether the participant is receiving the experimental drug or a placebo) ensuring unbiased results
droplet
a small drop of liquid, often referring to
tiny respiratory droplets that can carry viruses
drug trial
a clinical study that tests the safety and effectiveness of a drug in patients
Conclusive results generally require one or more double-blind trials.
dysfunction
abnormal function or impaired activity of an organ, tissue, or process
E
edema
the buildup of fluid in tissues or body cavities, leading to swelling
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain,
often caused by infection
endemic (adjective)
describing a disease that regularly occurs in a specific population or region
endotheliitis
inflammation of the endothelium
endothelial cell
a type of cell that forms the inner lining of blood vessels and other internal surfaces
The endothelium is composed of endothelial cells.
endothelium
a thin layer of endothelial cells that lines blood vessels
and other internal surfaces of the body
ensemble projection
a combined prediction made by merging multiple models
Ensemble projections have been used to predict forecast deaths from COVID-19
envelope
the outer spherical shell of a coronavirus
The viral envelope surrounds the genetic material and proteins within it.
enzyme
a molecule, usually a protein, that speeds up specific chemical reactions in the body
epidemic
an outbreak of an infectious disease that spreads rapidly
within a population or region
epidemiologist
a scientist or medical professional who studies
and works to control the spread of diseases
epidemiology
the study of how diseases spread, their patterns in populations,
and ways to control them
evidence
information that supports or refutes a claim,
helping to determine whether something is true
experiment
a scientific test used to investigate a hypothesis and gather data
express (verb)
to produce a protein or other biological molecule
from genetic instructions in DNA or RNA
expression
the process by which genetic information in DNA or RNA
is used to produce proteins or other biological molecules
F
false negative
a test result that incorrectly indicates no presence of a disease
or condition when it is actually present
false positive
a test result that incorrectly indicates the presence of a disease
or condition when it is not actually present
ferritin
a protein that stores and releases iron in the body’s tissues as needed
flatten the curve (verb)
to slow the spread of a disease in an epidemic
to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed
fomite
a surface or object that can carry and spread infectious pathogens when touched
furin
an enzyme found on some animal cells that helps activate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, enabling the virus to enter host cells, often in coordination with the TMPRSS2 enzyme
Furin cleaves the SARS-CoV-2 spike, which triggers a process to fuse the viral particle onto the cell membrane, allowing the RNA to enter the host cell.
G
gene
a nucleotide sequence in DNA or RNA that carries the instructions
for building a protein or regulating biological functions
genetic
relating to genes (in DNA or RNA)
genetic fingerprint
A unique pattern in an organism’s RNA or DNA that can be used for identification
genetic instruction (genetic information)
information that is written in RNA or DNA by the combination of nucleotides
genetic material
the DNA or RNA that carries genetic information in living organisms and viruses
genome
the complete set of genetic information in an organism or virus
The human genome contains DNA, while that of SARS-CoV-2 contains RNA.
genomics
the study and application of genetic information, such as analyzing variants
of a virus to track the spread of infections
glycoprotein (or: glycopeptide)
a protein with carbohydrate molecules attached
Glycoproteins are often involved in cell signaling or immune responses.
goblet secretory cell
a type of cell that produces mucus, found in the respiratory and digestive tracts,
including the nasal cavity
H
hamster
a small rodent often kept as a pet or used in laboratory research
helper T cell (or: Th cell)
a type of T cell that assists other immune cells by producing cytokines
to regulate immune responses
hematologist
a medical specialist or researcher who studies blood and blood-related disorders
hematology
the scientific study of blood, including its composition, function, and diseases
herd immunity
The stage in an epidemic when enough individuals have developed immunity (through infection or vaccination) that each infected person, on average, transmits the disease to no more than one other person, slowing or stopping its spread.
hormone
a substance produced in an organism that sends chemical signals to regulate biological processes, often transported through the bloodstream
horseshoe bat
a species of bat
SARS-CoV-2 has likely evolved in horseshoe bats.
host cell
a living cell that a virus infects and uses to replicate
hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)
a drug that was originally developed to treat malaria
Hydroxychloroquine has been investigated for potential antiviral effects,
including against COVID-19.
Many people outside of the scientific community continued to believe that hydroxychloroquine could be used effectively in the treatment of COVID-19.
I do not know personally any doctor who believes that HCQ is effective against Covid-19.
hyposmia
a reduced or partial loss of the sense of smell
hypothesis
a proposed scientific explanation based on observed evidence,
subject to testing
hypoxia
a condition in which body tissues do not receive enough oxygen,
potentially leading to organ dysfunction
I
IHME
the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, a research institute in the US focused on global health statistics and disease modeling
immune
relating to the immune system
immune cell
any of various types of cells that are part of the immune system
and help defend against infections
immune signaling molecule
a molecule in the immune system that transmits signals
to regulate immune responses
immune response
body’s defense reaction against foreign substances
such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins
immune system
the network of organs, cells, and processes in an organism
that defends against infections and harmful substances
immunity
the ability of an organism to resist infection or toxins through immune defenses
immunoglobulin
another term for antibody
immunoglobulin G (IgG)
the most common type of antibody in human blood,
providing long-term immunity after infection or vaccination
A test detecting IgG antibodies against COVID-19 can indicate past infection.
immunosuppressant drug
(or: immunosuppressive drug)
a drug that reduces the activity of the immune system, often used to
prevent organ transplant rejection or treat autoimmune diseases
in vitro
a process or experiment conducted outside a living organism,
typically in a laboratory setting
in vivo
a process or experiment conducted inside a living organism
inactivated virus vaccine
a vaccine made from viruses that have been killed or weakened
so they cannot cause disease but still trigger an immune response
inconclusive (adjective)
not providing a definite result; uncertain
infection fatality rate (IFR)
the percentage of infected individuals who die from a disease,
including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases
inflammation
a response of the immune response that causes tissue
to become red, swollen, warm, and sometimes painful
inflammatory response
the immune system’s reaction to injury or infection, leading to inflammation
initial viral load
the amount of virus that enters the body at the time of infection
A higher initial viral load appears to correlate with more severe Covid-19 symptoms.
interleukin
a type of glycoprotein and cytokine produced by leukocytes (white blood cells) that regulates immune responses
interferon
a signaling protein released by cells
to slow the replication of viruses and activate immune defenses
intubation
the medical procedure of inserting a tube into the airway to assist with breathing
ischemia
a condition in which an organ or tissue does not receive enough blood supply,
potentially leading to damage
J
K
Kawasaki syndrome
A condition that causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body,
primarily affecting young children
killer T cell (or: cytotoxic T cell)
a type of white blood cell that that identifies and destroys virus-infected or cancerous cells
L
leukocyte
Leukocytes play a role in immune defense.
lipid
a type of organic molecule that does not dissolve in water,
including fats, oils, and certain biological membranes
lipid bilayer
a structure consisting of two layers of lipid that form membranes,
such as the cell membrane
lipid nanoparticle (LNP)
a microscopic lipid-based particle used as a delivery system
for drugs or genetic material, such as mRNA vaccines
A lipid nanoparticle envelope allows delivery of synthetic mRNA across a cell membrane.
lupus
any of several autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation,
often affecting the skin, joints, and internal organs
lymphocyte
a type of small leukocyte (white blood cell) with a single round nucleus,
essential for immune responses.
M
maculopathy
any health condition affecting the macula,
the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision
marker
a substance in an organism that indicates a particular condition or biological state
mask (or: face-mask)
A covering worn over the mouth and nose to filter droplets that may contain viruses,
reducing disease transmission
Masks are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
membrane
a thin wall such as a cell membrane or the barrier
between the alveolus and capillaries in the lungs
messenger RNA (mRNA)
a form of RNA that transfers genetic information
from DNA to ribosomes for protein synthesis
Messenger RNA carries genetic instructions from DNA
in the nucleus to ribosomes in the cytoplasm
Some Covid-19 vaccines, introducing RNA into human cells to produce antigen proteins, which trigger an immune response and antibody production.
metabolism
the set of chemical reactions in an organism that process energy and materials
metabolize (verb)
to process substances through chemical reactions within an organism
micro-clot (or: microclot)
a very small blood clot that may contribute to certain medical conditions
microbe
a microscopic organism, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi
A virus is a type of microbe.
mink
a small mammal farmed for its fur
A mink coat is an expensive coat made from the fur of mink.
Mink have been infected with COVID-19 and may have transmitted the virus back to humans.
misinformation
incorrect or misleading information, whether intentional or accidental
model
a mathematical or computational representation of a system, often used for predictions
monoclonal antibodies
laboratory-produced antibodies cloned from a single immune cell,
designed to target specific antigens.
mRNA vaccine
a vaccine that delivers RNA into human cells to produce antigens,
prompting an immune response.
Learn about mRNA vaccines on this page.
mucus
a protective, lubricating substance produced in the nose,
lungs, and other parts of the body
Congestion from a cold or allergies is caused by excess mucus.
multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)
a condition involving widespread inflammation in multiple organs,
identified in children during the COVID-19 pandemic
mutate (verb)
to undergo a genetic change
mutation
a change in the genetic code, which may alter an organism’s traits or behavior
myth
a widely held but false belief
N
nasal cavity
the airway behind the nose through which
air flows into the respiratory system
natural history
the typical progression or development of a disease
in the body, especially when untreated
nature (or: natural world)
the observable universe, independent of the subjective human mind and human senses
necrosis
the death of cells or tissue within an organ or part of the body
neutralize (verb)
to block a virus from infecting a cell by an antibody
neutralizing (adjective)
(of an antibody) able to block a virus from infecting a cell
neutralizing antibody
an antibody capable of blocking a virus from entering and infecting a cell
nonspecific
describing an antibody that is effective against a broad range
of antigens, such as viruses, rather than targeting one specific antigen.
nucleotide (or: nucleotide base)
A basic unit (or building block) of RNA or DNA
[consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base]
nucleus
the part of a cell that contains the genetic material (DNA)
and controls the cell’s activities
The nucleus looks like a cell within a cell.
O
off-label (adjective)
referring to the use of a drug for a disease or condition
different from the one for which it was officially approved
olfactory sensory epithelium (OSE)
a tissue lining part of the nasal cavity, containing sensory neurons
responsible for the sense of smell, as well as supporting cells
order of magnitude
a difference of approximately ten times an amount
organelle
a specialized structure within a cell that performs a specific function.
An organelle is to the cell what an organ is to the body.
organic molecule
a molecule, typically containing carbon, found in
living organisms or derived from them
outlier
a person or thing that significantly differs from
the rest of a group in a particular aspect
oxygen saturation
the percentage of oxygen in the red blood cells
compared to the maximum amount they can carry
P
pandemic
an outbreak of a disease that spreads across several parts of the world
pathogen
a microbe, such as a virus, that can cause a disease
pathologist
a health-care professional who studies diseased tissue
to diagnose conditions
peer review
the evaluation of a scientific article by experts
in the same field to assess its validity
peptide
a chain of two or more amino acids
Peptides are smaller molecules than proteins, which are also made up of amino acids.
phosphorescence
the ability of atoms or molecules to produce light without the need for heat
placebo
a substance resembling another drug but without any therapeutic effect,
often used as a control in clinical trials
placebo effect
the perceived benefit from a treatment that occurs purely because
the individual believes it will be effective, rather than from any active ingredient
plasma
the colorless liquid part of blood that contains
water, proteins, and other components
plasmid
A small, circular strand of RNA or DNA that exists independently
from the DNA in the nucleus, often used in genetic research
pneumocyte
one of two types of cells that line the alveoli
(air sacs) in the lungs
pneumonia
lung inflammation from an infection that causes
the alveoli to fill with pus or solidify
polymerase
an enzyme responsible for creating copies of RNA or DNA
polypeptide
a chain of amino acids that forms part of a protein or is itself a protein
population
1: a community of humans, plants or animals
2: collection of individuals or items being studied in a particular context
pre-print
a version of a scientific article available to the public
before it undergoes peer review or formal publication
presymptomatic (adjective)
describes an individual who has been infected
but has not yet shown symptoms of illness
pro-drug (or: prodrug)
a medication that is metabolized (processed chemically)
in the body to produce its active form
projected
predicted based on a model or data analysis
projection
a forecast or prediction derived from a model
proof
evidence that establishes a fact or truth conclusively
There was never any proof that hydroxychloroquine had any benefit in treating COVID-19.
proof of concept
evidence showing that an idea or concept is feasible and has practical potential
protein
large molecules made by cells that perform structural
or functional roles in the body
An enzyme is a proteins, that serves as a tool.
protein subunit vaccine
a vaccine made from specific proteins of a virus,
rather than from the whole virus, to stimulate an immune response.
pulse oximeter
used to measure a person’s pulse rate
and the oxygen saturation in their blood
pus
a thick liquid produced in infected tissue containing
dead white blood cells, debris and other fluid
Q
R
R number
a value that indicates, on average, how many individuals will contract a disease
from a single infected individual
randomized
describing an experiment or trial where selection or sampling occurs by chance,
without any predetermined pattern
randomized control trial (RCT)
a type of drug trial where subjects are randomly assigned to receive either the treatment being tested or a placebo to determine the treatment’s effectiveness
raw data
data that has been collected but has not yet been processed or analyzed
receptor
a protein on a cell membrane that a virus can attach to,
facilitating entry into the cell
remdesivir
a drug developed by Gilead, originally for Ebola,
that has been used as a treatment for COVID-19
replicate (verb)
to make copies of itself, as what a virus does inside a host cell
A virus replicates inside a host cell.
replication
the process by which a virus makes copies of itself inside a host cell
rhesus macaque
a species of monkey (Macaca mulatta)
often used in scientific research
ribosome
an organelle in a living cell responsible for producing proteins
and polypeptides from RNA
RNA
a long genetic molecule found in the cells of all living organisms,
involved in protein synthesis and genetic information transfer
RT/PCR Test
(Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction Test)
the standard diagnostic test used to detect the genetic material
of a virus in a human body
A Covid-19 RT/PCR test detects viral RNA of the SAR-CoV-2 virus. It typically involves taking swabs from the nose (and sometimes the throat) to detect viral RNA.
S
sac
a cavity enclosed by a membrane in a human or other organism
science
the systematic study of the natural world through observation,
experimentation, and analysis
scientific evidence
evidence that supports or challenges a scientific theory or hypothesis,
obtained through rigorous observation and experimentation.
scientific method
The structured process by which science advances, involving observation,
hypothesis formulation, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion
sepsis
a life-threatening overreaction of the immune system to an infection
Sepsis involves excessive inflammation and a cytokine storm.
serological (adjective)
relating to blood serum, especially regarding its immunological properties
serum
the clear liquid that separates from the blood when it coagulates,
containing proteins and antibodies but no blood cells
shed (verb)
to release a virus or other microorganism from a body
into the environment, potentially causing transmission
shock
a life-threatening condition characterized by a severe drop
in blood pressure, leading to inadequate blood flow to vital organs
side effect
an unintended and often undesirable effect of a drug or treatment
signal protein
a protein that serves as a biological signal,
triggering a specific action or response in cells or tissues
signaling molecule
a molecule that serves as a biological signal,
initiating a response or communication between cells
significant (adjective)
(in scientific research) indicating a result that is unlikely to be due to
random chance and is considered meaningful
silent hypoxia
a condition in which blood oxygen levels are dangerously low
without noticeable difficulty in breathing
Silent hypoxia is hypoxia whereby the individual does not have any trouble breathing.
social distance (verb)
to behave in a way that reduces the chance of spread of a disease in a population
social distancing (or: physical distancing)
practices that reduce disease transmission in a population
by maintaining physical space between people
spike
1: a protein that protrudes from a viral particle,
often enabling the virus to attach to host cells
2: a sharp increase in a quantity,
such as new cases of an illness
spill over (verb)
(of a disease) to jump from one species to another
spillover
the event of a disease jumping between species,
such as from a bat to humans
spontaneous report
“a communication from an individual (e.g. health care professional, consumer) to a company or regulatory authority that describes a suspected adverse experience”
[from https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/spontaneous-report]
statin
a type of drug that lowers levels of fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood
statistical (adjective)
related to statistics or data analysis
statistics
the field of mathematics concerned with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data
steroid
a kind of drug that includes corticosteroids and anabolic steroids
Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, which is a steroid.
stroke
brain tissue death caused by blocked blood flow, often due to a clot blood clot
superspreader
an individual who transmits an infectious disease
at a much higher rate than average
supply chain
the sequence of processes involved in producing and distributing a product
symptomatic
(of an infected individual) displaying symptoms of a disease
synthesis
the chemical production of a molecule from smaller molecules
synthesize (verb)
to produce a molecule from smaller molecules through chemical processes
synthetic antibody
an antibody created in a laboratory designed to mimic natural immune responses
A promising treatment for Covid-19 is synthetic antibodies that work as an antiviral drug to reduce viral load in the body.
systemic reaction
a response, such as inflammation, that spreads to multiple organs or throughout the body
T
T cell
a type of lymphocyte that plays a major role in the immune system,
particularly in identifying and attacking infected or abnormal cells
tachycardia
an abnormally rapid heart rate
testosterone
a male sex hormone that signals the development of secondary sex characteristics,
such as increased muscle mass and facial hair
theory
a well-supported hypothesis or a system of related and logically consistent hypotheses
therapeutic (adjective)
related to healing or treatment
therapeutic drug
a drug intended to treat or heal a condition or disease
thrombotic (adjective)
related to thrombosis (the formation of blood clots)
thrombosis
the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, which can block circulation
tissue
a group of similar cells that work together
to perform a specific function in the body
titer
a measure of the concentration (the amount per volume)
of an antibody in a fluid
TMPRSS2
an enzyme found on the cell membranes of some animal cells
TMPRSS2 is involved in cleaving the SARS-CoV-2 spike, which triggers a process to fuse the viral particle onto the cell membrane, allowing the RNA to enter the host cell
tocilizumab
an immunosuppressant drug co-developed by Roche and Chugai Pharmaceutical
often used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
type II pneumocyte
a specialized cell in the alveoli that produces surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension (“softens” the water) and prevents alveolar collapse
U
V
vaccine
a substance that stimulates the immune system to provide
(at least temporary) resistance to a disease
vaccine trial
the process of testing a vaccine in animals or in humans
to evaluate its safety and effectiveness
variant
a form of a virus that differs due to a mutation
vascular (adjective)
relating to vessels, particularly blood vessels
ventilation
the process of supplying air to a patient,
often through mechanical means such as a ventilator
ventilator
a medical device that moves air into and out of the lungs,
assisting or replacing normal breathing
verify (verb)
(In science) to check that an experiment) is properly conducted
or that the data used are valid
viral load
the number of viral particles present in a given volume of fluid,
often used as a measure of infection severity
virion
a complete virus particle, consisting of genetic material enclosed
in a protective protein coat, outside of a host cell
W
wastewater
water that has been contaminated through human use
wet market
a marketplace that sells fresh meat, seafood,
and often live animals for food
white blood cell
a type of immune cell found in the blood
that helps fight infections
X
Y
Z
zoonosis
a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans
zoonotic (adjective)
describing a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans
SARS-CoV-2 is a zoonotic virus.
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©2020, 2021 Dr. Michael Herrera
PopSci: Herd immunity, contact tracing, and other terms to help you understand COVID-19
(May 19, 2020)