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.