A

Antibiotic
A drug used to treat some bacterial diseases. It must be used with lot of precaution.

Antigen
a substance or molecule that is recognized by the immune system

Allergen
An antigen that induces an allergic or hypersensitive response.

Allergic rhinitis
Rhinitis associated with hay fever.

Analgesic
A compound capable of producing analgesia, i.e., one that relieves pain.

Acute Bronchitis
Respiratory inflammation of the bronchi leading to the lungs.

Adenoviruses
Common viruses causing common cold and various other ailments.

Asthma
An inflammatory disease of the lungs characterized by reversible airway obstruction.






B



Bell's Palsy
A temporary facial nerve disorder where a part or all of the face becomes suddenly paralyzed.

Bronchitis
Inflammation of the airways leading into the lungs.

Breathing
Inhalation and exhalation of air or gaseous mixtures.




C



Croup
Respiratory infection with a characteristic cough.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
A term used for those diseases with permanent or temporary narrowing of small bronchi.

Cough
A sudden explosive forcing of air through the glottis.



D


Decongestant
Used to cure cold

Dust mite allergies
Allergy to dust mites in household dust.



E


Earache
Pain in the ear called otalgia.

Expectorant
Promoting secretion from the mucous membrane of the air passages or facilitating its expulsion.



F

Febrile
A term related to fever.

Flu
Very common viral respiratory infection.


G

Glue ear
Fluid accumulation in the middle ear


H


Hay fever
a form of atopy characterized by an acute inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory passages. It is caused by an allergic reaction to the pollen of trees, grasses, weeds, flowers, etc.

Histoplasmosis
Lung infection from fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.


I


Inflammation
a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat.

Influenza
It is an acute febrile highly contagious viral disease.





L


Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx (voice box).




M


Mastitis
Infected breast common in nursing mothers.

Malaise
A feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness. It is a sign of a disease.

Meningitis
Dangerous infection of the membranes surrounding the brain.

Mite
A minute arthropod of the order Acarina.

Mite allergy
Allergy caused by dust mites.

Middle ear infection
Infection of middle ear also called otitis media.

Mold allergies
Allergies to airborne or household molds.

Mucous
Relating to mucus or a mucous membrane.


N

Narcotic
A drug capable of inducing a state of stuporous analgesia.

Nasal polyp
A polyp that is found in the nasal passage.




P


Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lung parenchyma due to infection of the lung by bacteria.

Parainfluenza
Milder influenza-like infection.

Pharyngitis
Inflammation or infection of the larynx in the throat.

Pulmonary Anthrax
Inhaled lung anthrax, most severe form of anthrax.

Psychosis
A severe emotional and behavioral disorder.



R



Rhinovirus
A class of viruses commonly causing the common cold.

Reye syndrome
an acquired encephalopathy of young children that follows an acute febrile illness.

Rhinitis
Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane.

S


Sinusitis
Infection of any of the sinus cavities.

Sore throat
a condition characterized by pain or discomfort on swallowing.

Stuffed nose
Blockage to the nose often from runny nose.

Sputum
Expectorated matter, especially mucus or mucopurulent matter expectorated in diseases of the air passages.





T


Tear symptoms
Symptoms affecting the eye's ability to tear.



V

Virus
Formerly, the specific agent of an infectious disease.