Seizure
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that causes a jerking or staring spell. Seizures are also known as convulsions. A common cause of seizures in young children and infants is fever. If a child has…
Rubella (German Measles)
A viral infection with a red rash, enlarged neck lymph nodes, mild fever, and headache. It is spread person to person by coughing or sneezing. Rubella is highly contagious but was declared eliminated in the U.S. Parents should continue to…
Risk
The likelihood that an individual will experience a certain event.
Recombinant
Recombinant vaccines use specific pieces of different viruses to help the immune system recognize a disease without causing illness.
Reactogenicity
How much or how often a vaccine produces a known, "expected" reaction, especially such as fever or sore arm at the injection site. The reactogenicity of a vaccine does not mean it is safe or unsafe.
Quarantine
The isolation of a person or animal who has been exposed to a disease in order to prevent further spread of the disease.
Prodrome
The time before the onset of an attack or a disease.
Prevalence
The total number of cases of a disease within a population over a given time period.
Precaution
A condition in a person that might increase the risk for a serious adverse reaction or decrease the effectiveness of a vaccine. A precaution is not a contraindication. It may not prevent a person from getting a vaccine.
Potency
A measure of strength.