A vaccine that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in clinical testing in humans. However, investigational vaccines are still in the testing and evaluation phase and are not licensed for use in the general…

A type of bowel blockage that happens when one portion of the bowel slides into the next, much like the pieces of a telescope; it is treated in a hospital and may require surgery.

Influenza (more commonly known as the flu) is a highly contagious viral illness that is spread person-to-person through sneezes and coughs. It usually is a seasonal illness (October – May in the U.S.) and can be serious and life-threatening. One…

Redness, swelling, heat and pain in tissues (e.g., organs or muscles) resulting from injury or illness. Also known as swelling.

Capable of causing disease.

The number of new disease cases in a population over a certain period of time.

A vaccine made from viruses and bacteria that have been killed through physical or chemical processes. These killed organisms cannot cause disease.

When someone receives a vaccine and mounts an immune response to protect against a disease.

The complex system in the body responsible for fighting disease. Its primary function is to identify foreign substances in the body (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites) and develop a defense against them. This defense is known as the immune response.

A protein found in the blood that fights infection. Also known as gamma globulin.