HEAT LINE
The visible demarcation between areas affected by heat and those which were not, usually rising at an angle away from the heat source.
The visible demarcation between areas affected by heat and those which were not, usually rising at an angle away from the heat source.
A tendency, after a fire or other traumatic incident, to view ones surroundings with greater scrutiny, often mistaking longstanding conditions for new damage.
An article handed on from one generation to another, often possessing increased value because of its age, but falling short of the status and value of true antiques.
High Efficiency Particle Air filter: A filter that is at least 99.97% efficient in removing mono-disperse particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter.
A vacuum cleaner incorporating a HEPA filter.
A viral disease marked by inflammation of the liver. There are several strains of hepatitis virus:
Usually a benign, self-limited disease with a fatality rate of only 0.1%. It is spread through faecal-oral contamination, usually in underdeveloped countries with poor sanitation or crowded living conditions, or from sexual oral -anal contact.
A highly infectious virus that can result in a variety of clinical syndromes such as: a) asymptomatic carrier, b) acute hepatitis, c) chronic hepatitis, d) progression to cirrhosis, e) fulminant hepatitis with massive liver necrosis.
A virus that is responsible for 90% of transfusion-associated hepatitis. 1-2% of blood donors are suspected carriers, with an increased incidence in drug addicts, dialysis patients, health care workers and haemophiliacs.
This virus can cause disease only if HBV is present, and then can cause acute hepatitis in an HBV carrier, with progression to fulminant hepatitis or chronic progressive hepatitis ending in cirrhosis.