deadly disease
a sickness that can cause people to die
EXAMPLE: The measles is a deadly disease. This sickness causes 2 - 3 million deaths per year.
germs
a very small living thing that causes disease
EXAMPLE: Wash your hands before cooking so that you don't spread germs.
immune system
the part of your body that fights against infection so that you don't get sick
EXAMPLE: Viktor doesn't get enough sleep, so his immune system is weak. I hope he doesn't get sick.
outbreak
the time when a disease starts in a population
EXAMPLE: There was an outbreak of the flu at my son's school. One third of the students and 10% of the teachers are home sick!
seriously ill
dangerously sick
EXAMPLE: People who avoid vaccines are in danger of becoming seriously ill if there is an outbreak.
vaccine
usually a shot (injection) that keeps a person from getting a particular disease
EXAMPLE: The Covid vaccine saved thousands of lives here in Minnesota.
antibodies
something in your blood that fights disease
EXAMPLE: I had Covid, so my body created antibodies. For the next 3 months, the antibodies should keep me safe from getting Covid again.
circumstance
a fact that makes a situation the way it is
EXAMPLE: Some children are not vaccinated. Under these circumstances, they should stay home if there is an outbreak of measles at their school. (The circumstance is that some children are not vaccinated.)
EXAMPLE: During Covid, people had to wear masks. This was a good idea, considering the circumstances. (Here, the circumstance is the Covid outbreak.)
confusion
(noun) the situation when people are confused
EXAMPLE: To avoid confusion, read the directions carefully and follow them.
factual support
information based on facts
EXAMPLE: Bob believes that the Earth is not round. He thinks it is flat. He can have this opinion, but he has no factual support for it. The facts prove the Earth is round.
get vaccinated
accept an injection (shot) containing a vaccine
EXAMPLE: It is parents' responsibility to make sure their children get vaccinated.
highly contagious
very easy to catch (a disease) from another person
EXAMPLE: At first, Covid was highly contagious. If you talked to a sick person without wearing a mask, it was very likely you would get sick.
make a comeback
return to the way it was before
EXAMPLE: Some children are not getting vaccinated. This is why some diseases are making a comeback. For many years people were safe from the diseases, but now the diseases are attacking people again.
measles
a disease that produces small, red spots all over the body
EXAMPLE: Since fewer children are getting vaccinated against the measles, measles is making a comeback.
numerous
many
EXAMPLE: There are numerous good reasons to have your children vaccinated. Protecting their life and health is the main one.
occur
(verb) to happen
EXAMPLE: In areas of the country where vaccination rates are low, many outbreaks of disease have occurred.
protection
(noun) when a person is protected
EXAMPLE: Our children depend on us for protection. It is our responsibility to keep them safe.
rare
not common, not frequent
EXAMPLE: When all of the children in an area are fully vaccinated, it is rare that an outbreak occurs.
recognize
(verb) to know something because you have experienced it before
EXAMPLE: Do you recognize this song?
rumor
information that might not be true, which passes quickly from person to person
EXAMPLE: I heard a rumor that vaccines are unsafe. I disagree. Vaccines protect people from serious illness!
spread
(verb) to reach more and more people
EXAMPLE: The rumor spread throughout the school that my son had the measles. It wasn't true, but many people believed it and stayed away from him.
valid
acceptable and true
EXAMPLE: My daughter was late for school again. This time she has a valid excuse---our car wouldn't start.