update db and button state

update db and button state

I am VERY new to ajax and jquery, but do have lots of php experience. I am trying to make a 'Mark as read' type button. When a user clicks an icon I want the icon to dim/disable and an sql query run to update the sql entry to read. Of course all without refreshing the page. I am fairly quick to learn and willing to do reasearch...I just don't know what to search for.

Thank you for your help,
maddogandnoriko