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The Hepatitis Vaccine That Does Double Duty
People who have Hepatitis C and have not been vaccinated against Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B could benefit from the combined hepatitis vaccine....
Medical Spas May Pose Hepatitis Risk
Since medical spas are offering more treatments involving the use of needles, the potential for Hepatitis C transmission is rising. Learn about some of the spa treatment techniques that pose hepatitis transmission dangers, as well as five ways to increase...
Hepatitis B Treatment May Reduce Pancreatic Cancer Risk
While several theories are attempting to explain the connection, scientists are unsure why those with Hepatitis B appear to have a 2 1/2 fold increase in risk for developing pancreatic cancer. Once the link is understood, Hepatitis B treatment may...
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- Vaccine
- Preparation introduced into the
body to cause the production of antibodies to create an immunity to specific
diseases and viruses. A drug intended to induce active artificial immunity against
a pathogen. Vaccines may be live or dead. Live vaccines are usually attenuated
versions of the wildtype pathogen, such as the MMR vaccines, which are strains
of measles mumps and rubella viruses repeatedly passaged through cell lines
until non-pathogenic. Typically, live vaccines need only be given as a single
dose to induce a full immunological response, inducing specific memory. Dead
vaccines are either killed whole parasite, as with the Salk polio strain and
pertussis vaccine, or some highly immunogenic fraction of the parasite, as in
toxoid vaccines. Killed vaccines and toxoids which do not multiply in the host
must usually be administered in multiple doses to induce a full immunological
response. Vaccination should be distinguished from passive immunization in which
concentrated specific antibodies which can be used therapeutically to abrogate
an ongoing infection or to provide short term protection (of the order of months),
for example against hepatitis A. Passive immunization does not induce immunological
memory
- Vagal
- Nerve related
- Vagotomy
- Surgical procedure in which the
nerves to the stomach are severed
- Vagotonia
- Nerve complaint
- Vagus Nerve
- Nerves to the stomach that
are important in the production of stomach acid
- Valerian Root
- Valeriana Officinalis. Valerian
is a root that has been used since ancient Greek times for its relaxing, sedative
effects. Aside from the important valerenic acid, over 120 other important components
have been identified from the root and its essential oil. Safe and effective
anti-anxiety agent and sedative for treatment of restlessness and sleep disturbances
resulting from nervous conditions. Those with impaired kidney or liver functions
should not take valerian except under a physician's supervision. Valerian can
interact with alcohol, certain antihistamines, muscle relaxants, psychotropic
drugs and narcotics
- Valine
- Essential amino acid needed for
optimal growth in infants and for nitrogen equilibrium in adults. Promotes mental
vigor, muscle coordination and calm emotions
- Vanadium
- Non-essential mineral. Believed
that Vanadium is probably essential to growth and involved in fat metabolism.
Vanadium deficiency can increase blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Van Den Bergh Test
- A test indicating presence
of bilirubin in the blood when a diazotizing reagent added to blood serum turns
it red, as in jaundice and destructive diseases of the liver
- Variceal Bleeding
- Bleeding from abnormal
blood vessels in the esophagus. These may occur in cirrhosis
- Varices
- Esophageal and Gastric -- Submucosal
varices of the lower esophagus or gastric fundus mucosa, frequently caused by
the development of portal collateral vessels as a result of portal hypertension.
Abnormally dilated/stretched veins. Dilated veins; these can rupture, leading
to massive bleeding.
- Vascular
- Blood vessel related
- Vasculitis
- Blood vessel inflammation
- Vasoactive
- Affecting blood vessels
- Vasoconstriction
- Narrowing of the small
arteries
- Vasodilatation
- Widening of the blood vessels
- Vasomotor
- Blood flow-related
- Vasopressor
- Substance affecting blood flow
- Vater's Ampulla
- The dilatation formed by
junction of the common bile duct and the pancreatic ducts proximal to their
opening into the lumen of the duodenum
- Vector
- The intermediate hosts of parasites
with indirect life cycles. Anything which transmits parasites. An organism responsible
for transmitting a pathogen from one host to another, e.g. a mosquito. (In molecular
biology, a molecule used to clone nucleic acid sequences)
- Vectorial Capacity
- In vector-borne infections
such as malaria, the vectorial capacity is a concept analogous to the contact
rate in directly-transmitted diseases. It is, thus, a function of (a) the vector's
density in relation to its vertebrate host, (b) the frequency with which it
takes blood meals on the host species, (c) the duration of the latent period
in the vector, and (d) the vector's life expectancy
- Vegetal Silica
- Equisetum Arvense. Also
known as horsetail and is a member of the Equisetaceae family. Vegital Silica,
or Horsetail, is found in marshes and on the edges of ponds. The plant itself
is more closely related to a fern, rather than a flower, due to its dull and
flowerless appearance. It is a rush-like perennial with hollow, jointed stems
and scale-like leaves
- Vegetative
- Without consciousness
- VEGF
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
- Venepuncture
- The process of entering a
vein. Commonly used to describe the process of gaining a blood sample
- Venipuncture
- The process of entering a
vein. Commonly used to describe the process of gaining a blood sample
- Venogram
- A procedure in which a contrast
medium is injected into a vein so that an X-ray photograph will reveal the shape,
size, and extent of the vein.
- Veno-Occlusive Disease-VOD
- The other major
cause of hepatic venous outflow obstruction is veno-occlusive disease; it differs
from Budd-Chiari syndrome in that it is the smaller intrahepatic venules within
the liver that are primarily involved usually in a non-thrombotic manner. There
is usually a defined exposure to a toxic agent or physical injury. In some parts
of the world naturally occurring toxins (pyrrolizidine alkaloids - Jamaican
bush tea) remains a significant cause of hepatic disease, particularly in children.
Presently in the United States bone marrow transplantation is the most frequent
setting for the development of VOD. This is related to the radiation and chemotherapeutic
agents used in these patients. Renal transplant patients receiving immunosuppression
agents are also at risk for VOD
- Venous
- Vein related
- Ventilator
- Machine that helps a patient
breathe
- Vermifuge
- Agent that destroys or expels
parasitic worms, especially of the intestine
- Versed
- A benzodiazepine muscle relaxant
used to sedate, often in conjunction with the paralyzing agent pavulon
- Vertical Transmission
- Vertical transmission
occurs when a parent conveys an infection to its unborn offspring, as occurs
in syphilis in man or in many arboviruses of arthropods. Perinatal infection
is a special form of vertical transmission
- Very Low Density Lipoprotein
- Class of
low density conjugated proteins consisting of a protein and a lipid
- Vesicles
- Small bubbles of lipid within
a cell, used for the transport of materials within the cell and between the
outside environment and the cell membrane . Small bladder or sac containing
liquid
- VH
- Viral Hepatitis
- VHDL
- Very High Density Lipoprotein
- Vial
- Small bottle with a rubber stopper
from which medicine or doses are supplied
- VIP
- Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide
- Viral
- Pertaining to a virus in origin
- Viral Carrier
- An individual who is infected
with a quantity of specific viral material and is seen as being potentially
infective to others
- Viral Envelope Proteins
- Layers of protein
which surround the capsid in animal viruses with tubular nucleocapsids. The
envelope consists of an inner layer of lipids and virus specified proteins also
called membrane or matrix proteins. The outer layer consists of one or more
types of morphological subunits called peplomers which project from the viral
envelope; this layer always consists of glycoproteins
- Viral Hepatitis
- Form of hepatitis caused
by one of the hepatitis viruses. HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV, HFV, HGV
- Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
- Any vaccine raised
against any virus or viral derivative that causes hepatitis
- Viral Load
- The amount of virus present
in a person’s blood stream. It is usually measured by the PCR quantitative
test and the result is given in number of virus particles per ml of blood
- Viral Particle
- New viruses reproduced inside
of a cell
- Viral Proteins
- Proteins found in any species
of virus. Among the most important characteristics of a virus is the nature
of the proteins which make up its envelope, capsid, and spikes. Proteins determine
the infective properties of the virus
- Viral Quantity
- Referring to the amount
of virus present in the body. Also called viral load
- Viral Tter
- Measurement of the amount of
virus present
- Viremia
- Presence of a particular virus
in a patient's blood
- Virion
- Rudimentary virus particle with
a central nucleoid surrounded by a protein sheath, complete virus particle.
A mature and infectious virus particle.Structurally mature, extracellular virus
particles
- Viroid
- Composed of nothing more than
a single, circular strand of genetic material, and cause disease in plant cells.
Replicating in the nuclei of plant cells, often cause s striking diseases in
their host plants. Lacking even a protective shell of protein, viroids do not
spread easily from one cell or plant to another
- Virulence
- The case mortality rate of
an infection. The extent to which a pathogen harms its host. These are different
usages: what they have in common is that they refer to the effect on an already
infected host, not to the degree of transmissibility to a subsequent susceptible
- Virus Attachment Protein
- The protein
on the surface of a virus particle responsible for binding the receptor
- Virus Diseases
- General term for diseases
produced by viruses
- Virusoid
- Extremely simple virus, normally
consisting of little more than a single circular strand of genetic material.
Virusoids infect other viruses, using the replication processes of the host
virus to replicate themselves instead
- Visceral
- Relating to an organ in the chest area
- Viscerotome
- Instrument used to obtain
a liver tissue sample from a cadaver
- Viscus
- An internal organ of the body;
particularly one located in the large cavity of the trunk such as the heart,
liver, or intestine
- Vitals
- Vital organs such as the brain,
heart, liver, and lungs
- Vitamin
- Organic compound essential in
small quantities for normal physiologic and metabolic functioning of the body.
Vitamins help regulate metabolism, helps convert fat and carbohydrates into
energy, and assist in forming bone and tissue. Vitamins cannot be assimilated
without ingesting food
- Vitamin A
- Beta Carotene. Fat soluble
vitamin essential for health. Plays an important part in the growth and repair
of body tissue, protects epithelial tissue, helps maintain the skin and is necessary
for night vision. It is also necessary for normal growth and formation of bones
and teeth, for the production of red and white corpuscles in the blood, and
for lactation. A deficiency of Vitamin A may result in night blindness; rough,
dry, scaly skin; increased susceptibility to infections; lack of tearing; loss
of smell & appetite; frequents fatigue and/or defective teeth & retarded
gum growth
- Vitamin B-1
- Thiamin. Plays a key role
in the body's metabolic cycle for generating energy; aids in the digestion of
carbohydrates; promotes growth & good muscle tone, essential for the normal
functioning of the nervous system, muscles & heart, and stabilizes the appetite.
A deficiency of Vitamin B1 may lead to the loss of appetite; weakness fatigue;
paralysis & nervous irritability; loss of weight; insomnia; minor aches
& pains; mental depression & constipation, and/or heart & gastrointestinal
problems
- Vitamin B2
- Riboflavin. Essential for
cell growth and for enzymatic reactions by which the body metabolizes proteins,
carbohydrates and fats. Aids in the formation of antibodies and red blood cells;
maintains cell respiration; necessary for the maintenance of good vision, hair,
nails and skin, alleviates eye fatigueand promotes general health. A deficiency
of Vitamin B2 may result in itching and burning eyes; bloodshot eyes; dermatitis;
digestive disturbances; sores in the mouth & on the lips; purplish tongue;
retarded growth; sluggishness; trembling; and/or oily skin
- Vitamin B-3
- Niacin. Improves circulation
and reduces the cholesterol level in the blood; reduces high blood pressure;
helps metabolize protein, sugar & fat; maintains the nervous system; increases
energy through proper utilization of food; prevents pellagra; and helps maintain
a healthy skin, tongue & digestive system. A deficiency of Niacinamide may
result in fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbance, headaches, indigestion, irritability,
loss of appetite, mental depression, nervousness, minor aches & pains, insomnia,
skin disorders, muscular weakness, bad breath, and/or canker sores
- Vitamin B6
- Pyridoxine. A relatively little-known
vitamin. Vitamin B6 takes part in many enzyme reactions and is particularly
important for brain and nervous system functions. It is necessary for the
synthesis & breakdown of amino acids, aids in fat and carbohydrate metabolism;
maintains the central nervous system; aids in the formation of antibodies; aids
in the removal of excess fluid of premenstrual women; promotes healthy skin;
reduces hand numbness, leg cramps, muscle spasms, nausea , stiffness of hands;
helps maintain a proper balance of sodium & phosphorous in the body. A deficiency
of Vitamin B6 may result in anemia, dermatitis, insomnia, loss of hair, nervousness,
skin eruptions, loss of muscular control, mouth disorders, muscular weakness,
arm & leg cramps, slow learning, and/or water retention, but B-6 deficiency
is rare
- Vitamin B-12
- Cobalamin. Essential
for the normal functioning of all body cells, especially those of bone marrow,
gastrointestinal tract and nervous system Also necessary for the formation
of red blood cells. Prevents pernicious anemia and is necessary to a healthy
nervous system. It is involved in synthesis of genetic material (DNA). It iss
needed for effective calcium absorption in the body. A deficiency of Cobalamin
may lead to pernicious anemia, poor appetite, brain damage, degeneration of
spinal cord, depression, nervousness, neuritis, growth failure in children,
tiredness, and/or lack of balance
- Vitamin B-15
- Pangamic Acid. Has antioxidant
properties. Protects against urban air pollutants, protects the liver from the
ravages of alcohol, stimulates increased immune system response, extends cell
life, cures fatigue, lowers blood cholesterol levels, wards off hangovers, and
assists in the regulation of hormones
- Vitamin C
- Known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin
C is a water-soluble antioxidant vitamin essential to the body's health. As
an antioxidant, inhibits the formation of nitrosamines (a suspected carcinogen).
Vitamin C is important for maintenance of bones, teeth, collagen and blood vessels
(capillaries). Vitamin C also enhances iron absorption and red blood cell formation.
Vitamin C also promotes the body's effective use of other nutrients, such as
iron, B vitamins, vitamins A and E, calcium, and certain amino acids. By promoting
the formation of strong connective tissue, it helps to heal wounds and burns.
Stress, fever, and infection increase the body's need for vitamin C. A deficiency
of Vitamin C may lead to soft & bleeding gums, bruising, anemia, loss of
appetite, slow healing wounds & fractures, nosebleeds, swollen or painful
joints, tooth decay, muscular weakness, skin hemorrhages, capillary weakness,
and/or impaired digestion
- Vitamin D
- Fat soluble vitamin essential
to health. Regulates the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood by improving
their absorption and utilizaion. Vitamin D improves absorption and utilization
of Calcium and Phosphorous; required for bone and teeth formation; maintains
a stable nervous system and normal heart action. A deficiency of Vitamin D may
lead to rickets, softening of bones, lack of energy, tooth decay, improper healing
of fractures, muscular weakness, and/or inadequate absorption of calcium, and
retention of phosphorous in the kidneys
- Vitamin E
- Tocopherol. Essential fat-soluble
vitamin. As an antioxidant, helps protect cell membranes, liprproteins, fats
and vitamin A from destructive oxidation. Helps protect red blood cells. A major
anti-oxidant nutrient; retards cellular aging due to oxidation; supplies oxygen
to the blood which is then carried to the heart and other organs; thus alleviating
fatigue; strengthens the capillary walls & prevents the red blood cells
from destructive poisons; aids in bringing nourishment to cells; prevents &
dissolves blood clots. A deficiency of Vitamin E may lead to a rupture of red
blood cells, lack of sexual vitality, abnormal fat deposits in muscles, degenerative
changes in the changes in the heart and other muscles; and/or dry skin
- Vitamin K
- Necessary for the synthesis
by the liver of the blood clotting enzyme prothrombin
- Vitamin Toxicity
- Certain vitamins and
minerals can accumulate in the body when taken at doses above their toxic threshold.
This is particularly likely with vitamins A and D, as these tend to accumulate
in body fat where they cannot be cleared by the kidneys
- Vitex
- Also known as Chaste Tree. Used
for normalizing the activity of female sex hormones, and is thus indicated for
dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual stress, (PMS) and other disorders related to hormone
function. Especially useful during menopausal changes
- VLDL
- Very Low Density Lipoprotein. A
plasma lipoprotein that is produced primarily by the liver with lesser amounts
contributed by the intestine, that contains relatively large amounts of triglycerides
compared to protein, and that leaves a residue of cholesterol in the tissues
during the process of conversion to LDL
- VOD
- Veno-occlusive Disease.
- Vulnerary
- Agent used for promoting the
healing of wounds, curative
- VZV
- Varicella-zoster virus: a herpes
virus which causes chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (herpes-zoster)
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