Lymphatic System DZ & Con

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Suppression of the immune response caused by exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys the body’s infection-fighting T cells.

acute

An illness or injury characterized by rapid onset, severe symptoms, and short duration; may require medical care.

allergy

A hypersensitive (exaggerated) reaction by the body to an allergen (a harmless substance that is labeled by the immune system as dangerous).

anaphylaxis

A severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

autoimmune

Abnormal condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against (attacks) its own tissues.

autoimmune disease

A condition in which the body reacts to its own healthy tissue in the same way it reacts to foreign antigens.

benign

Noncancerous or nonmalignant; a term for cancers in which the patient has a good chance of survival.

chronic

An illness or injury characterized by long duration and slow progression.

congenital

A condition that is present at birth and may be the result of either genetic or environmental factors.

convalescence

A period of gradual recovery after illness or injury.

debilitating

Having a weakening or fatiguing effect.

edema

Swelling.

endemic

A disease that is ongoing and restricted to a certain population, group, or area of land.

epidemic

A sudden, widespread outbreak of a disease within a population, group, or area of land.

genetic

Inherited; passed on from one’s biological parents.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Malignant cancer of the lymphatic tissue in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.

hypersensitivity

Condition in which the body reacts with an exaggerated immune response to an allergen; also known as an allergy.

iatrogenic

An infection or disease that arises as a complication of medical or surgical intervention.

idiopathic

Having an unknown etiology (cause).

immunodeficiency disorder

Disorder in which one or more parts of the immune system are deficient or missing. As a result, the body fails to defend itself against pathogenic invasion.

immunological

Pertaining to an antigen-antibody reaction.

infectious

Capable of causing an infection.

inflammatory

Marked by inflammation (redness, heat, fever, and swelling) or caused by inflammation.

ischemic

A condition or disease caused by a temporary deficiency in blood flow to an organ or tissue.

leukemia

Cancer of the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow; causes an excessive increase in WBCs.

lymphoma

Malignant cancer of the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue.

malignant

A term for cancers that tend to spread, get progressively worse, and become life threatening.

metabolic

A disorder that interferes with normal metabolism, the chemical processes involved in converting food to energy and in sustaining life.

mononucleosis (mono)

Acute, infectious illness, usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and marked by an increased number of atypical lymphocytes and monocytes.

neoplastic

A new, abnormal growth that may be cancerous or noncancerous.

non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

A malignant cancer that starts in the lymphocytes; includes any type of lymphoma except Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

nosocomial

An infection acquired in a hospital setting; not present upon admission.

nutritional

Relating to chemical processes in the body that occur after ingesting (eating) food.

opportunistic

A pathogen that normally does not cause a disease unless the immune system is in a weakened state.

pandemic

A disease that spreads over most of the world.

sepsis

Life-threatening condition in which infection-fighting chemicals released into the bloodstream trigger inflammation throughout the body, damaging multiple organ systems.

splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen often associated with the destruction of blood cells; results in anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia.

terminal

A disease for which there are treatments but no cure; also known as fatal.