Disease

A disease is a condition in which the life of an organism does not proceed easily; Encyclopedia Britannica defines it as "a harmful deviation from the normal structural or functional state of an organism".[1] Modern medicine recognizes many, but not all, diseases as infections by bacteria, other microbes, or viruses. A more holistic approach blames disease on stress, since germs are everywhere (like radiation and toxins). This has some factual basis, though, as stress can weaken the immune system.[2]

Live, reproduce, die
Biology
Life as we know it
Divide and multiply
Greatest Great Apes
v - t - e

The study of disease is called pathology.[3]

Germ Theory
See the main article on this topic: Germ theory

Germ theory is the scientific theory that many diseases are caused by germs, a catchall . Many forms of alternative medicine pre-suppose a different cause of illness and don't bother to verify whether those suppositions hold true. Vaccination is a great way to prevent many of the most deadly and debilitating diseases caused by viruses and bacteria.

Pathogens
gollark: My computer is vaccinated, it's fine.
gollark: It seems like a reasonable use of email. I don't know about it being the best way.
gollark: You could bodge it horribly but no.
gollark: Email is NOT very realtime or chatroomy.
gollark: IRCv3 can do this (except the accounts) but there aren't many implementations.

See also

References
  1. Encyclopedia Britannica: disease
  2. American Psychological Association: Stress Weakens the Immune System.
  3. What is Pathology?, McGill Department of Pathology
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