An epidemic disease causing a high rate of mortality. The plague wiped out a third of Europe's population in the 1700s. A substance produced or derived from certain fungi, bacteria, and other organisms that can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms, and is widely used in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. All kids carry these bugs. They not only cause ear and sinus infections, but also life-threatening blood infections, meningitis, and pneumonia, and new drug resistant strains are difficult to treat.
Bacteria are the Earth's most ancient and numerous creatures.
A disease caused by the Pneumococcus bacterium in which inflammation of the meninges occurs. Cells normally present in blood which act as defenders against invading bacteria and viruses. In serious infections, white blood cells are overwhelmed and many die. Any of several relatively nontoxic antibiotic acids that are produced by molds or synthetically and are used especially against cocci. Malaria, a disease spread by mosquitos, kills more than two million people every year.