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Cat-scratch fever
Cat-scratch fever A bacterial infection acquired through the scratch of a cat or other animal.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Bacterial
Of or pertaining to bacteria. For example, a bacterial lung infection.
Infection
Anything that invades the body and reproduces. Infections can be bacteria, protozoa, fungi, or viruses. Bacteria and fungi are one celled creatures that cause many infections including strep throat, bladder infections, and some lung infections. Fungi cause “athlete’s foot” and thrush, an infection in the mouth. Protozoa are small organisms with many cells that can cause infections in the guts or in the lungs. Most healthy people do not get protozoal infections, but people with suppressed immune systems can. Viruses are not really organisms; they are tiny particles that can live only inside another cell. They reproduce by taking over a cell and causing that cell to make more virus particles, rather than doing what the cell is supposed to do. Viruses cause most colds and flu cases.
Acquired
"Anything that is not present at birth but develops some time later. In medicine, the word ""acquired"" implies ""new"" or ""added."" An acquired condition is ""new"" in the sense that it is not genetic (inherited) and ""added"" in the sense that was not present at birth. For example, AIDS (the acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is an acquired form of immune deficiency due to the acquisition of HIV (the human immunodeficiency virus). An acquired mutation is a change in a gene that occurs in a single cell after the conception of the individual. That change is then passed along to all cells descended from that cell. Acquired mutations are involved in the development of cancer."
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
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Cardiomegaly
Enlargement of the heart.
Carotene
The fat-soluble pigment in carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables, egg yolks, milk fat and other substances that can be converted in the body to vitamin A.
Carotid
The main artery in the neck.
Carpal
Having to do with the wrist.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Pain, numbness and tingling of the fingers caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist.
Cat-scratch fever
Cauliflower ear
A trauma-induced deformity of the ear caused by repeated cartilage and soft-tissue injury.
Caustic
A chemical that can cause burns.
Cauterize
To purposely burn with a hot instrument or caustic substance to destroy tissue, such as a wart.
Cavity
A hollow place or hole within the body.
CBC
Complete blood cell count.
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