VACCINA Meaning and
Definition
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Vaccinia is a term that refers to a highly contagious viral disease of cows, which is caused by the Vaccinia virus. The disease manifests itself in the form of skin lesions, commonly known as cowpox, appearing mainly on the udders and teats of infected cows. The virus can also be transmitted to humans, leading to a similar condition known as human vaccinia or cowpox in humans.
Vaccina is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between animals and humans. In humans, the disease is usually mild and self-limiting, with symptoms including skin rashes, fever, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes. It is most commonly contracted through direct contact with infected animals, although it can also be acquired through contact with contaminated objects or materials.
The term "vaccina" also holds historical significance as it is the root of the word "vaccine." In the 18th century, Edward Jenner, an English physician, discovered that individuals who had previously been infected with cowpox, a less severe form of vaccination, were subsequently protected against the more dangerous smallpox disease. This led to the development of the first vaccine, as the term "vaccine" is derived from "vaccina" and refers to the process of using a weakened or inactivated form of a disease-causing agent to stimulate an immune response and provide immune protection against the original pathogen.
In modern times, vaccinia primarily exists as a laboratory strain used for the development and production of smallpox vaccine, as smallpox has been eradicated worldwide through vaccination efforts.
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1. Cow-pox, a contagious eruptive disease occurring in cattle; it is similar in its lesions to smallpox in man, but much milder; inoculation of man with the virus of this disease confers more or less lasting immunity against smallpox. 2. A disease, usually local and limited to the site of inoculation, induced in man by inoculation with the virus of cowpox (vaccination). On about the third day after vaccination papules form at the site of inoculation which become transformed into umbilicated vesicles and later pustules; they then dry up and the scab falls off about the 21st day, leaving a pitted scar; in some cases there are more or less marked constitutional disturbances.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for VACCINA
- vaccinnia
- caccina
- baccina
- gaccina
- faccina
- vzccina
- vsccina
- vwccina
- vqccina
- vaxcina
- vavcina
- vafcina
- vadcina
- vacxina
- vacvina
- vacfina
- vacdina
- vaccuna
- vaccjna
- vacckna
Etymology of VACCINA
The word "vaccina" is derived from the Latin term "vacca", which means "cow". The connection between cows and vaccination can be traced back to the pioneering work of Edward Jenner, an English physician. In the late 18th century, Jenner observed that milkmaids who had contracted a mild illness called cowpox appeared to be immune to a more severe disease called smallpox. This led him to develop the first vaccine, using material from cowpox to provide immunity against smallpox. The term "vaccina" was coined to refer to the cowpox material used in the vaccine, emphasizing its origin from cows. Today, the word "vaccine" is widely used to encompass various forms of immunization, irrespective of their source.
Similar spelling words for VACCINA
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