Attenuation

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Attenuation

Attenuation (/əˌtɛn.juːˈeɪ.ʃən/) is a term used in various fields of study, including physics, genetics, and medicine. In the medical field, it refers to the reduction in severity, force, or virulence of a disease, virus, or other pathogenic organism.

Etymology

The term "attenuation" originates from the Latin word attenuare, which means "to thin or weaken".

In Medicine

In medicine, attenuation is often used to describe the process by which a pathogenic organism, such as a virus or bacteria, is weakened. This is typically achieved through a process known as viral attenuation, where the virus is grown in conditions that encourage mutations that reduce its virulence. The attenuated virus is then used in the production of vaccines, as it can stimulate an immune response without causing the disease.

Attenuation can also refer to the reduction in the intensity of a signal, such as in radiology where it refers to the decrease in intensity of an x-ray beam as it passes through tissue.

Related Terms

  • Viral attenuation: The process by which a virus is weakened for use in vaccines.
  • Vaccine: A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.
  • Radiology: The science dealing with X-rays and other high-energy radiation, especially the use of such radiation for the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

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